English Learners Program

We provide English Language Development (ELD) instruction in two key ways to ensure comprehensive support. All identified English Learner students receive:

• Targeted ELD Instruction: A dedicated time for focused English language skills.

  • Elementary: 60 minutes per day

  • Secondary: 300 minutes per cycle

• Integrated ELD Instruction: English language support throughout the school day in all subject areas (like math, science, and history).

  • Elementary: 60 minutes per day

  • Secondary: 300 minutes per cycle

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The Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) is the state test used to measure a student's English language proficiency.

• Placement: Students identified as potential English learners through the Home Language Survey take the AZELLA placement test. The results help us place them in the right level of instruction.

• Annual Progress: Students in the EL program take the AZELLA once each year to measure their progress.

• Achieving Proficiency: When a student scores "Proficient" on the AZELLA, they transition into mainstream classrooms. We continue to monitor their academic progress for two years to ensure their continued success.

We believe a strong school-home partnership is key to student success. Here are some helpful resources to support your child's language and literacy development.

• Colorín Colorado: A nationally recognized, bilingual website providing expert advice and resources for educators and families of English learners.

• Duolingo: A popular and free language-learning app and website that can be a fun supplement for language practice.

• English-Spanish Glossary of Special Education Terminology: A helpful reference for understanding specialized educational terms.

• Great Schools: Offers a comprehensive array of free, high-quality parent resources on topics ranging from academic learning to social-emotional support.

• Unite for Literacy: Offers a free collection of digital books in English and Spanish, with narration in over 40 languages. It’s a wonderful tool for building a daily reading habit.