English as a Second Language

Welcome multilingual learners and families!

Multilingual learners contribute to a strong academic environment, creating schools where diverse communities thrive.

Jeffco's English as a Second Language (ESL) program supports multilingual learners academically and linguistically. Teachers and tutors from the Department of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) use a range of strategies to help students who are learning English access rigorous, grade-level content while developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in English.

CLDE teachers and ESL tutors work with schools and students to ensure that:

• Multilingual  Jeffco students experience a culture of instructional excellence that targets their unique needs and amplifies their strengths 

• Multilingual learners develop high levels of English proficiency while performing at academic levels similar to their English proficient peers across all content areas

• Schools across Jeffco engage with families in ways that are inclusive and culturally-aware

All Jeffco elementary schools offer English language development support for students who are learning English. ESL teachers and tutors support students’ English language development, typically within the general education classroom. Students benefit from ESL strategies to help them access grade-level content area learning, and ESL staff collaborate with classroom teachers to ensure multilingual learners are demonstrating success toward grade-level expectations.

At the secondary level (middle and high schools), students take specific English language arts and content-area courses that are designed to meet students’ English language development needs. ESL courses are available either in-person or online, and count toward high school graduation requirements. ESL staff collaborate with content area teachers to ensure students are demonstrating success toward grade-level expectations.

• Districtwide Overall English Language Learner Population Rate Trends
• English Language Learners (NEP/LEP) Count Trends 
• Student Count by Language: 10 Most Represented Languages

English as a Second Language (ESL) is part of the department of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE), which provides support for multilingual Learners and their families. CLDE includes ESL, Dual Language and Adult ESL and Literacy.