English Language Development

At Birmingham Public Schools, we place great importance on the varied strengths and contributions that our students and families bring to our educational community. Our unwavering commitment is to deliver exceptional educational opportunities of the highest caliber to every student.

PROGRAMMING

BPS highly values the diverse assets and contributions that our students and families bring to our schools, and we are dedicated to providing the highest quality educational opportunities for all students. We are honored to offer unique opportunities for our students and families with a home or native language other than, or in addition to, English. We encourage you to continue embracing, celebrating, and maintaining your native language(s) and cultural identities.

Our services focus on supporting students with English language acquisition and development and assisting them with core academic content. We work to welcome and learn about new cultures and support our students as they navigate new experiences and build cultural identities.

Elementary Level Programming

Grades K-5

At the elementary level, there are two magnet centers available for students. West Maple Elementary ESL Magnet Center and Pierce Elementary ESL Magnet Center are both options for students with low English proficiency, depending on their place of residence. The center programs offer intensive English instruction followed by mainstream classroom learning for the day.

Once students complete the ESL Magnet Center program, they can choose to return to their neighborhood school. Coordinated support services are available for students with higher English proficiency or above based on progress monitoring recommendations.

Middle School Level Programming

Grades 6-8

Berkshire Middle School is home to the magnet center offering a comprehensive ESL program for middle school students. The program offers three levels of instruction, each tailored to students' proficiency levels, along with a tutorial class.

Students are placed in classes based on proficiency levels to ensure optimal learning outcomes. Additionally, students with higher English proficiency or above may be eligible for coordinated support services based on recommendations from progress monitoring.

High School Level Programming

Grades 9-12

Groves High School and Seaholm High School offer their students ESL classes at different levels. The ESL classes are held at Seaholm High School and provide comprehensive instruction in all aspects of English proficiency, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

The students are placed into classes based on their proficiency levels and receive English credit after completing the course. These classes aim to equip students with the necessary language skills to effectively communicate and succeed academically and professionally.

Enrollment

Families must first complete our standard enrollment process to enroll in the BPS ELD (English Language Development) program. This includes filling out necessary forms and providing required documentation. Once this is done, a member of the ELD team will contact the family to schedule an intake interview. During this interview, the student's English proficiency will be assessed to determine if they are eligible for ELD services.

If found eligible, students will be added to the ELD's roster at the elementary level or scheduled to attend an ELD class at the secondary level. Our ELD program is designed to support students learning English as a second language and help them achieve academic success.

HOW TO ENROLL

Family Engagement

Family Engagement

The ELD department is dedicated to creating a supportive partnership between our school community and families. We understand the importance of staying connected with families and keeping them informed about their student's learning experience. Therefore, we frequently host check-in meetings that offer an opportunity for families to receive insight into their student's progress and experience in the classroom. Moreover, we provide relevant resources to support families in their transition to American culture, helping them feel more comfortable and connected within the community. Virtual meetings will be recorded and posted soon after the meeting dates.

ELD Caregiver Meeting 1/30/24

ELD Magnet Centers

Pierce Elementary

West Maple Elementary

Berkshire Middle School

Seaholm High School

Assessment Data

Learn More about Assessment Data

For additional details, contact bpsesl@birmingham.k12.mi.us or Kaitlyn Billops at kbillops@birmingham.k12.mi.us.

The ELD program is a part of Birmingham Public Schools, a public school district in Michigan that serves students from kindergarten through grade 12. If you're an adult interested in ESL classes:

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