Global Citizenship Certificate

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATE (GCC)

The Global Citizenship Certificate (GCC) is a portfolio credential that allows Canton High School students to document and explain how their language proficiencies and cultural experiences have prepared them as global citizens. Through a series of personalized student learning experiences, including interdisciplinary academic study, approved language and cultural projects, community service to specific linguistic populations, and participation in student trips/exchanges, students will demonstrate their capacity to live, serve, work, and contribute effectively in our diverse and interconnected world.  Students interested in this opportunity should begin the program as early as possible in their high school career, preferably in grade 9, so that they can fulfill all program requirements.

Global Citizenship Certificate Requirements 

Global Citizenship Certificate participants will:

• Demonstrate proficiency and confidence in a second language or multiple languages, including home or heritage languages

• Approach new ideas with curiosity

• Attain knowledge of and show appreciation and respect for cultural differences

• Examine contemporary issues from multiple perspectives

• Engage in global and/or language-specific community service with humility and an open mind

• Contribute with enthusiasm to school activities that promote linguistic and cultural diversity

• Participate in language and cultural exchanges

• Share expertise in languages and cultures with the Canton community

• Actively promote global understanding and the peaceful resolution of conflicts

• Achieve personal growth through goal setting and self-reflection

• Develop projects that allow them to realize their full potential to lead as global citizens

At the end of each year in the program, students reflect on how their coursework and extracurricular learning experiences have helped them become more skilled, informed, culturally competent, and empathetic language learners.  Students are invited to share their reflections and cultural experiences in a public forum for the Canton community. 

In their senior year, GCC students complete a capstone project on a topic of their choice.

Required Courses of Study for Global Citizenship Certificate:

• 4 full-year world languages courses of the same language

• 2 semester-long interdisciplinary electives related to global issues, languages, and cultures (subject to pre-approval by the PreK-12 World Languages Coordinator)

• 1 year-long elective in a second language* 

*Attainment of the MA State Seal of Biliteracy award can be substituted for the year-long elective or added to the student's portfolio as an additional credential.

Co-/Extra-Curricular Participation

Membership and regular participation (3 hours per month) co- and extra-curricular activities that comprise aspects of language, culture, and/or social justice. Current clubs/activities include but are not limited to:

Asian Culture Club

French Club

Human Rights Club

ASL Club

Habitat for Humanity

Italian Club

Canton Students Embracing Diversity (CSED)

Haitian Creole Club

Model UN

Spanish Conversation Group

Hispanic Cultures Club

UNICEF

School-Sponsored Exchanges and Travel

International travel allows students to have first-hand experience with the target language and culture and is highly encouraged:

• French Trips or Exchanges

• Italian Trips

• Spanish Trips or Exchanges

• Virtual Classroom Exchanges