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NORTH ATTLEBORO - A classroom at North Attleboro High School has officially been dedicated to the study of Chinese language and culture.

In what he called a "historic occasion," Principal Robert Gay and dignitaries from Bryant University's Confucius Institute were on hand this week to officially designate one of the high school rooms as the first Confucius classroom in Massachusetts.

The room will bear a plaque that was unveiled at the dedication ceremony.

The Confucius classroom is a satellite program for the Confucius Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Beijing that teaches Chinese language and culture. There are about 300 Confucius Institutes around the world, mainly partnered with a college or university. Bryant University is affiliated with one of the 60 institutes in the United States.

Gay said the program would not be possible without the partnership with Bryant University's Confucius Institute, which is paying the salary of the Chinese teacher. "We're offering this course at no expense to the taxpayers of North Attleboro. We never could have started a Chinese program in these economic times without their support," Gay said.

It was after a trip to China that Gay decided, "we have to begin a Chinese course. Why? Because China and the United State are clearly going to be the two superpowers of the 21st century."

What started last year as an after-school program, is now running as a full blown class. This year, 32 students are enrolled in the introductory Chinese course and the expectation is that a higher level course will be added next year for students who want to continue their study of the language.

Assistant Superintendent Suzan Cullen said the program is part of the district's mission to provide students with 21st century skills.

"This program is bringing the world to you," she said to the students, who performed several songs in Chinese, including one that focused on friendship.

"By learning a new language, there are 1.3 billion people in China that can potentially be your friend," said Hong Yang, director of the U.S.-China Institute at Bryant University. "The future possibilities are endless."

Lyle Pirnie, whose son graduated from North Attleboro High School last year, worked with Gay to implement the Chinese program. He is the vice president of operations for the Jaiyu School in Beijing, which teaches Chinese students how to speak English.

"Our goal is to teach Mandarin with grants from the Chinese government in grades kindergarten through 12," Pirnie said.

AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.