Program Enrollment and Types

Rochester NY is a diverse and vibrant community. The following tips and resources are designed to assist you in your navigation of the bilingual/ESL education system in Rochester, New York.

Where do I go to get assistance and to enroll my child in a bilingual or English Language Learner program?

The Department of Bilingual Education & World Languages is committed to developing high-quality instructional programs for Emergent Bilingual Learners. We serve approximately 3,500 English Language Learners within various programming options and offer World Language courses to all secondary students in the Rochester City School District.

Department of Bilingual Education and World Languages
Address: 131 West Broad Street, Rochester, NY 14614
Phone: 585-262-8234

What type of English Language Learner programs are available to my family in Rochester?

English as a New Language (ENL)

ENL services help students from other language backgrounds develop English language skills for success in school and beyond graduation. Certified ENL/ESOL teachers offer support in English through academic subjects. Cross-cultural understanding is another important goal of all ENL instruction.

Students develop English skills through specialized instruction by ENL teachers in collaboration with the rest of their educational program, either as a separate class or within the classroom. ENL services are provided to all English Language Learners in every school in the District. ENL is an integral component of the Bilingual and LEAP programs at all grade levels, K-12.

Learning English through Academic Program (LEAP)

LEAP offers support for the simultaneous development of English language proficiency and content-area concepts in English to students whose native language is other than English, through sheltered instruction in English. There are several language groups combined in each LEAP class, with English as the primary means of communication. The program helps students improve their English language skills, build academic knowledge, and make a positive adjustment to school.

Provided by the National Parents Union.