School Days 
Theme clues are in chronological order.
SOPHOMORESLUMP is not an expression used in baseball for the 60 years I have been a rabid fan. There is a sophomore jinx, though; but it’s a letter short.
As for the French:
Aout, ETE, frere du pere, and
ONCLE [which could have been clued with “Mon___”: Tati film] I guess we should be glad James doesn’t know Mandarin.
RATING:
Three grins = Excellent: Loved it; Two grins = Good: Enjoyed it; One grin = Satisfactory: A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Unsatisfying: No fun
