ESL classes are organized heterogeneously both in terms of age and language facility. Cooperative learning techniques are employed and weaker students are buddied with stronger students.
Classes are content based.
Reading and writing have been combined into a double-blocked Language Arts course, focusing on literature. There are 24 home languages and 26 birth countries represented in the student population. Teachers offer students a content-based language learning approach, including use of the Knowledge Framework. Students who are at the initial stages of learning English are accommodated in a sheltered program and are given transition support when they leave the sheltered environment for a regular classroom. A resource model is used to give support both in the classroom and on a pull out basis to students who exhibit a variety of learning needs.