The English as a Second Language program responds to the needs of English Language Learners in an effort to provide optimal educational opportunities for them. The program provides the following:

• Specialized instruction that develops the students’ abilities to read, write, speak and understand English.
  
• Preparation for students to participate fully in the curriculum of the school.
  
• Support for the maintenance of the students’ first language and pride in the cultural heritage of each student.

(As of 11/1/12))

• Approximately 6,400 students in the ESL program in grades Pre-K through 12
  
• 99 different languages spoken by ESL students
  
• 82 % of the students speak Spanish
  
• Other languages spoken include: Karen, Nepali, Nuer, Somali, Vietnamese, Arabic, Chinese, Hmong, Russian, French, etc.,
  
• 1,253 Migrant students (2011-12)
• Increasing numbers of refugee students from Thailand and Nepal

All OPS schools have the capacity to serve ESL students.

• Language assessment and placement in ESL program, if eligible.
  
• Students receive specialized instruction in reading, writing, speaking and listening in English from trained ESL teachers and paraprofessionals.
  
• After school and Saturday enrichment classes for ESL students provided in targeted schools.
  
• Utilization of a Balanced Literacy Approach – Elementary ESL students participate in guided reading lessons at their instructional level.
  
• Summer School for ESL and Migrant students.
  
• Family Resource Centers in 20 schools

• Teen Literacy Program for middle school and high school students at the Career Center.
• Migrant Education Programming.
• ESL Classes for parents in targeted schools/Parent School Partnership.
• Family Resource Centers at selected schools.
• ESL Endorsement Program for teachers
• Saturday School for refugee students at Rose Hill Elementary and Franklin Elementary

• Survival Spanish Classes for School Administrators, Teachers and Staff.
• Training in ESL methodology to staff including conferences in ESL sponsored in the fall and spring.