ESOL

English Speakers of Other Languages

*Department Staff and Staff Contact information is at the bottom of this page*

Mission Statement:

The High Point High School English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program provides high quality English language instruction and facilitates cultural awareness for English language learners (ELLs) in grades 9-12.

Program Description:

We are proud to be one of the largest and most diverse ESOL programs in the state! For the 2007-08 school year, High Point has an enrollment of 485 English language learners. Approximately 20 percent of High Point's students are English language learners. Our staff works diligently to ensure that all of High Point's ELLs receive outstanding and appropriate instruction in all courses, so that they will succeed on the High School Assessments.

The HPHS ESOL program provides the following language development courses: ESOL 1, ESOL 2, ESOL 3, and Transitional English. For our newcomer ESOL 1 students, we provide content-based language instruction through the following courses: Pre-Conceptual Physics, Pre-World History and Language of Math. We also provide basic literacy instruction to newcomer ELLs through the AIM course.

The ESOL department supports content area teachers in offering sheltered instruction to English language learners in science, mathematics and social studies. Our bilingual students are strongly encouraged to enroll in the school's French and Spanish for native speakers programs. Over 75 ELL students are presently enrolled in Advance Placement language courses!

The HPHS ESOL program welcomes family and community involvement. We provide bilingual translators at our quarterly parent conference nights. Combined, our ESOL staff members speak ten languages and we are happy to provide bilingual assistance to our students' families throughout the year.

The ESOL department is proud to announce our newly formed community partnership with the Maryland Multicultural Youth Center (MMYC). Through new student orientations, afterschool programs in cooking and theater, as well as the Safer Latinos peer mentoring program, HPHS ESOL and the MMYC are striving to provide interventions that provide creative outlets for our Latino students in a positive, nurturing environment.

We are always looking for new ways to support our students. If you would like to volunteer your time to help our ESOL program, please contact Shelley Hartford, ESOL Teacher Coordinator.