The United States Department of State recently recognized Fairport High School for its international exchange work with the German American Partnership Program (GAPP). 

This award highlights school youth exchange programs with high cultural and educational benefits for students between the United States and Germany. We are proud to be honored with this nationwide recognition.

"Through GAPP, our Fairport High School German students become part of a tight-knit community of international learners, sharing laughs, creating memories and building bridges that span continents,” shared Fairport High School German Teacher/GAPP Coordinator Frau Roth.

“GAPP isn't just a one-time trip - it's a gateway to endless opportunities. Whether the students are dreaming of studying abroad, pursuing a career in international relations or simply craving a deeper understanding of the world around them, GAPP paves the way for their future success.”

The German American Partnership Program has been established from more than 700 active long-term school partnerships between the United States and Germany, including Fairport High School and Simpert-Kraemer Gymnasium Krumbach. The exchange program builds friendships and professional relationships between the international schools while allowing cultural learning experiences for students, families and staff.

Fairport High School Principal Robert Clark expressed, “We are extremely proud of our longstanding relationship with the GAPP program. Frau Roth is an outstanding advocate for our World Language program and the benefits of learning German culture. For over 30 years, we have participated in an exchange program welcoming hundreds of students to the Fairport school community from Germany. This experience is reciprocated in Germany where our students have the same opportunity to experience culture and education abroad. The bonds forged between students last a lifetime and speak to the power of partnership with the GAPP program.”

The two part German exchange program takes place in Fairport every other year. Fairport High School hosts students and teachers from Germany (Simpert-Kraemer Gymnasium Krumbach) during the May/June period. These students experience American life by shadowing their FHS partner. Afterwards, Fairport students travel to Germany in June. Students get the opportunity to spend time with a host family and shadow their German partner in German High School Simpert-Kraemer Gymnasium Krumbach. Additionally, Fairport students get to experience traveling through Germany and Austria with the group. 

Roth continued, “I am very proud of my FHS GAPP German students' participation, their accomplishments and their personal growth. Also, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our Fairport community, parents, and FHS leadership for their ongoing support and encouragement, which enabled this program to flourish.”