Newcomers offers intensive ESL, ESL content-area courses, bilingual programs in Bengali, Chinese, and Spanish, and special programs such as Diversity Awareness and the American Social History Project. Newcomers is a transitional program for 9th and 10th graders who go to other schools after 1 year, but incoming 11th graders stay to graduate. The program includes an extended day and an extended year though its summer institute. ELL students receive an individually tailored college program, enhanced career education via job shadowing and externships, and instructional and supportive services. ELL families are provided with year-round family education programs.
Teachers receive extensive staff development.
It serves 700 ESL students who speak more than 50 languages. The school offers eight levels of ESL instruction as well as two levels of literacy classes and Spanish literacy. Students receive content-area instruction in mathematics, science, and social studies either in sheltered classes or in the bilingual Spanish program. Also, students receive native language instruction in Bengali and Spanish. A federally funded program provides additional tutoring for students during all lunch periods.