Overview
Classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual Education are established to assist English language learners designated as Limited English Proficient (LEP) acquire English language proficiency while gaining content knowledge to meet graduation requirements in the content areas. Students with this designation have scored below the minimum cutoff established by the state of New Jersey on a state approved English language proficiency assessment instrument.

ESL
There are four levels of the ESL program ranging from Port of Entry I (pre-beginner) to ESL II (advanced). The Port of Entry I class is a newcomer class especially set up to address the needs of students with limited literacy in their native language and / or limited or interrupted formal education in their native countries. Content areas material is integrated into the English language instruction in all ESL classes. Language arts literacy graduation requirements are satisfied through the ESL classes.

Bilingual Education
Classes in Bilingual Education are offered in the areas of science, mathematics and social studies. Teachers, who are fluent in both English and the students’ native language, deliver the courses in English but supplement instruction in the native language as needed or as part of differentiated instruction. There are five mathematics classes including pre-algebra, algebra I, algebra II, geometry and math workshop. Social studies classes include both levels of U.S. history as well as world history. Classes in science include geophysical systems, environmental science and biology to meet the life, earth and physical science requirements for graduation.

Support Classes
Two classes are not part of the program but support the education of students serviced by ESL / Bilingual Education. They are Spanish for Native Speakers and English Communication Skills. The communication course is designed to ease the transition from ESL to mainstream English classes for those students who have achieved the state cutoff for English language proficiency and are ready to exit ESL.