Columbus City Schools recognizes the need for English language learners to have both oral and written skills in order to function successfully in mainstream American society. The ability to speak and understand English is, by itself, insufficient for effective progression in school. Proficiency in reading and writing is critical to students' academic achievement and comprehension of content material in all subjects.

ESL is a multi-faceted program offering English language classes and content-area assistance to limited English proficient (LEP) students enrolled in Columbus City Schools.

The goal of the ESL Program is for students to acquire a level of English language proficiency that enables them to meet grade level promotion requirements, state-mandated graduation requirements, and, ultimately, to compete successfully in mainstream society. Columbus City Schools ESL program provides the following for its staff and students:   

• Tutorial assistance in content area subjects
• An environment that fosters pride in native culture, establishes positive self-esteem, and facilitates acculturation into American society
• Bilingual personnel who act as a liaison between the home, school, and community
• Assistance to ESL and regular classroom teachers in best practices for working with students from diverse language and cultural backgrounds 

Click here for Layers of Support Document
Click here to download the ESL Handbook (currently unavailable until reviewed and updated)

In the Office for Civil Rights publication The Provision of and Equal Opportunity to Limited English Proficient Students (1992), it states that:

1. First, school districts must identify all students whose primary or home language is other than English (PHLOTE).
2. The district then needs to assess all PHLOTE students to determine if they are limited English proficient (LEP) and need special language assistance to effectively participate in the district's instructional program.

In order to assure that all potential LEP students are identified and offered ESL services, Columbus City Schools requires that any student who:

• Was born outside of the United States, in a country where English is not primary language OR
• Has one or both parents who were born outside of the United States, in a country where English is not primary language OR
• First learned to speak a language other than English OR
• Speaks a language other than English at home OR
• Be referred to the ESL Assessment Center for an English language evaluation to determine whether or not ESL services are needed.
   
  NOTE: Children of American born parents stationed overseas in the military do NOT need to be enrolled through the ESL Assessment Center UNLESS they have been schooled in a language other than English.

Students who do not need ESL services are enrolled at their home school by the Assessment Center staff. Copies of enrollment documents and ESL assessment results are forwarded to the receiving school.

Students who do need ESL services are enrolled at a school with an ESL unit. Every effort is made to place students in a building that is as close to their home school as possible. Copies of enrollment documents and ESL assessment results are forwarded to the receiving school.

Please call (614) 365-5281 for information or to schedule an appointment.

At the Elementary Level

• Language Acquisition - ESL teacher pulls small groups of pre-functional and beginner students to work on language acquisition 
• Leveled Literacy Intervention – ESL bilingual assistants and some teachers provide reading intervention for students not “On-track” using LLI kits  Math Literacy Intervention – Math literacy interventionists, ESL bilingual assistants and some teachers provide math support for students not “On-track” 
• Push-In Program- Bilingual instructional assistants and ESL teachers go into general education classrooms to provide further support for ESL students

At the Middle School Level

• English Language Learners are scheduled to have English class with their ESL teacher
• The other classes are usually taken with mainstream students
• Bilingual Assistants provide support and reading intervention in general Ed classes  

At the High School Level

• English Language Learners are scheduled to have English class with their ESL teacher
• The other classes are usually taken with mainstream students
• Beechcroft HS, Columbus Global Academy, Columbus North International HS, Independence HS, Mifflin HS, Northland HS, Whetstone HS, West HS and have sheltered courses (for example, a Science class only for ESL students, taught by a teacher certified in Science and TESOL
• Bilingual Assistants provide support and reading intervention in general Ed classes

Sheltered Sites exist at Wedgewood MS (only English and Math), Johnson Park MS, Medina MS, Mifflin MS, World Language MS, Beechcroft HS, Columbus Global Academy, Columbus North International HS, Independence HS, Mifflin HS, Northland HS, West HS and Whetstone HS.

Middle and high school students with limited or no prior schooling or educational experience may attend the sheltered sites at these buildings. 

These sheltered sites offer:

• In the middle school, Pre-functional and lower Beginner level students are scheduled for English and Math with ESL staff.  They are also scheduled for Intervention in Reading (LLI).  The rest of the day, they have classes with their native English speaking peers
• In the high school, Pre-functional and lower Beginner level students are scheduled for English, Math, Science & Social Studies with ESL staff.  They are also scheduled for Intervention in Reading (LLI).  The rest of the day, they have classes with their native English speaking peers
• At both sites, Pre-functional & Beginner level students receive Push-in support in other (elective) courses
• As students’ English improves, they are transitioned into more General Ed. Classrooms

High school students with limited or no prior schooling or educational experience may qualify for special assistance at the Columbus Global Academy.

Enrollment is based on:    

• Be in Columbus City Schools for less than 2 years
• Perform at the Pre-functional or Beginner level
• Recommended by the Assessment Center or their previous school
• Enrollment must be approved by the ESL Department
• Parent must agree 

Columbus Global Academy Offers:

• Subject and TESOL Certification
• Bilingual assistants
• Beginner level classes for students with little or no English
• All core classes meet district requirement=
• Reading clinic
• RTI (Response to Intervention)