English Language Learners

The South Colonie Central School District’s English as a New Language (ENL) program provides instructional support to English Language Learners (ELLs), or students whose primary language is not English. Eligibility for ENL services is based according to the NYS Education Department regulations.

ELL students are immersed in direct instruction from classroom teachers, as well as additional support from ENL teachers throughout their daily schedule.  All buildings at the elementary, middle and high school level provide such support. There are over 25 different home languages that encompass our district, and the student population that receives ENL support continues to grow each year. 

The goal of the ENL program is to provide the necessary language and academic support to English Language Learners in order for them to meet the demands of the South Colonie curricula and the Common Core Learning Standards. Each spring the state administers the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT), which provides the language proficiency level for each student.