APS English learners come from diverse linguistic, educational, and cultural backgrounds. 20% of ¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ students are ELs and receive English Learner services (2022-23 data). APS students come from 149 countries, from every continent except Antarctica.
- 65% of ELs are born in the US
- The largest percentage of ELs come from El Salvador (6%), Guatemala (4%), Ethiopia (3%), Mongolia (2%), and Bolivia (2%) (2017-18 data).
First Languages: 88 different home languages are represented by current ELs.
- 58% speak Spanish, 5% Amharic, 5% Arabic, 5% Mongolian, 2% Bengali
Identification of Students as English Learners
New students who meet the following criteria are assessed at the Welcome Center:
- the family and child actually live in Arlington County
- the child speaks a language other than English
- at home the family speaks a language other than English
- the child attended an ESL/bilingual program
- the child attended school outside the U.S.
Bilingual Assistants interview entering students and their parents or legal guardians to obtain educational and socio-cultural information. Each new student has an educational assessment to determine his/her level of English proficiency. The results of all assessments are reviewed and compared to grade level program criteria to determine the student¡¯s EL program and grade placement. Tests and test results are sent to the student¡¯s school. According to federal law, the parent or guardian has the right to opt-out of English Learner services.
Contact
Office of English Learners
2110 Washington Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22204
(703) 228-6095
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Terri Murphy
Director, Office of English Learners
terri.murphy@apsva.us
(703) 228-6095
Samuel Klein
EL Supervisor
samuel.klein@apsva.us
(703) 228-6095
Stephanie Martinez
Administrative Specialist
stephanie.martinez@apsva.us
(703) 228-6134
Kati Costar
Elementary EL Specialist
kathleen.costar@apsva.us
(703) 228-6090
Dr. Michelle Marrero
Secondary EL Specialist
michelle.marrero@apsva.us
(703) 228-6094
Yung Nguyen
EL Resource Specialist
yung.nguyen@apsva.us
(703) 228-7232
Ivy Mej¨ªas-Rivera
EL Data Coordinator
ivanelsy.rivera@apsva.us.
(703) 228-2406
Dr. Amy Sherman
Pre-K to 12 Professional Learning Specialist
amy.sherman@apsva.us
(703) 228-6093
More Information on the Office of English Learners
Bilingual Family Specialists work in schools to engage families whose primary language is not English.
School-Based Bilingual Family Specialists