Anonymous wrote:Middle schools with good ESL departments?

I am trying to find a charter or public school in DC where students with limited English language will be getting extra help from ESL teachers like in the elementary level. It's for grades 6 and 7. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

DEFINITELY BASIS!!!
The school has hired an incredible literacy specialist who started with tutoring this week. After testing DS for about 20 minutes, she knew exactly what was going on with him and custom designed a program to fill in the gaps in his reading and writing skills. I sat down during the 2 hour session for the semi-private session (3 students). From multisyllable analysis, to attacking nonsense words. to reading grade level short paragraphs covering a variety of subjects, to understanding new vocabulary words, all 3 kids were devouring these new concepts and knowledge skills with interest, showing no signs of slowing down or being tired.
My son is a Middle school English language learner. The school knew this, but somehow the ELL specialist managed to meet with him only a couple times in almost 2 years in his hip, small, well regarded charter. He became gradually more and more frustrated because he was receiving 1/4 or 1.5/4 (2.5 being the minimum grade to pass), primarily because he could mpt understand his readings to complete classroom assignments and assessments. Multiple meetings with his teachers and administration did not result into anything tangible. Things became so bad lately that he started begging me to pull him out and send him back overseas immediately.

After today's lesson, as we were heading to Eastern Market, he just exclaimed "the teacher explained so clearly that I understood everything right away and did not have to guess what she was trying to say".

I disagree with a previous poster. Haynes' ESL department does not have high turnover (ELH is only in there second year of having a full middle school) and they do have ESL teachers who work consistently with students who need the help. Students at NEP, LEP at the middle school level receive consistent assistance and are in classes that have co-teachers in most of the core academic classes (core: reading, humanities, math and science)

The biggest thing I would encourage is ask serious questions before you send your child. Talk to the ESL teachers directly. When the school year begins ask to see that student's PARTICULAR schedule and what accommodations are being made for that student. If the school is on it, they will be able to let you know.

I am not trying to imply that Haynes is perfect. However, helping students at all levels is something that they are striving on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Middle schools with good ESL departments?

I am trying to find a charter or public school in DC where students with limited English language will be getting extra help from ESL teachers like in the elementary level. It's for grades 6 and 7. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

DCPS elementary teacher here.
Usually the publics are better than charters. Most charters (except for Latin probably) have a very high turnover of teachers, who are trained for a year or so prior to being a lead teacher. Before making a commitment, talk to the teachers about small group instruction targeting specific linguistic needs. If the school claims there is no pull out at the middle school level but that there are several adults in the class doing inclusion, then look elsewhere. Once the school year starts, ask your children if they are learning or not. If you do not see any results, then do not wait until the end of the year and waste their precious time. It's not easy to catch up if the students' needs are not being met during these very critical years.

Too bad did not read this last year. Everyone talks ELL, ESL, ESOL or whatever, but there are teachers who do nothing at all. And what's this texting stuff between students and teachers in the classroom. Is this something happening in every middle school?

Anonymous wrote:Middle schools with good ESL departments?

I am trying to find a charter or public school in DC where students with limited English language will be getting extra help from ESL teachers like in the elementary level. It's for grades 6 and 7. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

DCPS elementary teacher here.
Usually the publics are better than charters. Most charters (except for Latin probably) have a very high turnover of teachers, who are trained for a year or so prior to being a lead teacher. Before making a commitment, talk to the teachers about small group instruction targeting specific linguistic needs. If the school claims there is no pull out at the middle school level but that there are several adults in the class doing inclusion, then look elsewhere. Once the school year starts, ask your children if they are learning or not. If you do not see any results, then do not wait until the end of the year and waste their precious time. It's not easy to catch up if the students' needs are not being met during these very critical years.

Anonymous wrote:Consider EL Haynes or Capital City

Definitely NOT Capital City.

The school knew our son had learned English for less than 2 years when he entered 6th grade. After numerous meetings with various specialists, he only met twice with the ESOL teacher last year. This year, he has yet to meet with her. He got tested at the end of the summer and his scores showed his English skills had regressed during his year at Cap City.
The principal was responsive to these concerns and arranged a meeting with all specialists. He got tested, areas of language weaknesses were determined were discussed and we were promised 6 hours of adapted work every week. He comes every day and says no one has worked with him and he gets the same work as everyone else. And believe me I am not exaggerating, just the opposite ...

Washington Latin has a wonderful ESL teacher who does extremely well at both pull-out instruction and managing appropriate inclusion for English language learners.

Consider EL Haynes or Capital City

All schools, even thte privates are supposed to have an ESOl specialist. Before enrolling, ask if the teacher does pull outs in small groups or one on one. Those who do mainly inclusion won't help your children. Have a written agreement specifying the number of hourse of ESOL instruction. As for the work. If they come up with excuses, and not produce any tangible evidence of the work being done, then look elsewhere.

I'd strongly suggest looking at Deal and Hardy before looking at CHEC (keeping in mind that Deal is at or near full enrollment--you'd have to live within the school boundaries; Hardy may have spaces for out-of-boundary students). A review of school profiles will give you an idea of the number of English language learners: higher numbers should mean more ESL teachers and and thus more support. Also, call the Office of Bilingual Education and ask which public middle schools and which, if any, charter middle schools have ESL programs.

I'd imagine that the middle school portion of the Columbia Heights Education Campus would be strong in ESL, though I have no experience with the school.

Middle schools with good ESL departments?

I am trying to find a charter or public school in DC where students with limited English language will be getting extra help from ESL teachers like in the elementary level. It's for grades 6 and 7. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.