ESL Academy

esl academy

The ESL Academy is designed to support middle and high school Multilingual Learner (ML) students who have limited English proficiency. Students in the program receive a modified curriculum and instruction in core subjects such as Science, Social Studies, ESL, and Mathematics, tailored to their academic and language needs.

Entrance Guidelines:

To qualify for the ESL Academy, students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Age Requirements:

    Middle School: 12, 13, or 14 years old

    High School: 15, 16, or 17 years old

  1. WIDA Screener Score Requirements:

    Level 2: Emerging in Speaking and Listening

    Level 1: Beginning in Reading and Writing

Program Objectives:

  • Provide targeted instruction for WIDA Level 1 ML students with limited English reading proficiency.

  • Serve students who are eligible for grades 6 through 9 but have low English proficiency.

  • Help students develop basic English language skills through grade-appropriate content instruction.

  • Offer the opportunity for high school students to earn academic credit if they successfully complete course requirements.

  • Increase the likelihood of academic success for students transitioning from the ESL Academy to a WS/FCS ESL program.

Personnel:

The ESL Academy is staffed by three highly qualified teachers and a bilingual assistant. To deliver instruction, they use scientifically proven teaching methods, including the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) and WIDA standards. These methods are designed to help ML students acquire both language and content knowledge.

Location and Size:

The ESL Academy is housed at Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy, located at Historic Atkins High School. The program accommodates 45 students, allowing for small class sizes to ensure individualized attention and support.

Grading:

Students are graded based on their abilities and the mastery of content, with appropriate modifications to reflect their progress in learning English.

Program Duration:

Students may attend the ESL Academy for up to two full semesters. However, student progress is reviewed at the end of each academic year to determine if they should remain in the academy or transition to another program.

Transportation:

Bus transportation is provided for all ESL Academy students.

Contact Information:

  • Location: Winston-Salem Prep Academy at Historic Atkins High School, 1215 N. Cameron Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

  • Phone: 336-703-6732