English Learner Program — Two Languages, One Bright FuturePrograma de Aprendices de Inglés — Dos Idiomas, Un Futuro Brillante
At Academy Del Sol, students who speak Spanish, English, or both at home are an essential part of who we are. Our K-8 English Learner program gives multilingual students structured support to access the full curriculum — while honoring the languages, cultures, and families they bring to school.
En Academy Del Sol, los estudiantes que hablan español, inglés, o ambos en casa son una parte esencial de nuestra comunidad. Nuestro programa de aprendices de inglés ofrece apoyo estructurado para que cada estudiante tenga éxito.
Speaking More Than One Language Is a GiftHablar Más de un Idioma Es un Regalo
Tucson is a multilingual city, and Academy Del Sol reflects that. Many of our families speak Spanish at home — and many speak both Spanish and English fluently. This is a strength, not a challenge. Research is clear: students who grow up speaking more than one language develop sharper thinking, better problem-solving, and stronger memory.
Our English Learner (EL) program isn’t a remedial track. It’s structured language support designed to help multilingual students fully access the K-8 curriculum — reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and the arts — while continuing to develop strong English language skills.
El programa de aprendices de inglés en Academy Del Sol no es un programa remedial. Es apoyo estructurado para que los estudiantes multilingües tengan acceso completo al currículo de K-8 — lectura, escritura, matemáticas, ciencias, estudios sociales y artes — mientras desarrollan habilidades sólidas en inglés.
EL Services at Academy Del SolServicios para Aprendices de Inglés
Arizona uses a Structured English Immersion (SEI) model for English Learner programs. Here’s what that looks like at ADS — the practical, day-to-day support students and families experience.
Arizona utiliza un modelo de Inmersión Estructurada en Inglés (SEI) para los programas de aprendices de inglés. Aquí está cómo funciona en Academy Del Sol — el apoyo práctico que los estudiantes y las familias reciben cada día.
Language Identification
Every new family completes a Home Language Survey at enrollment. When a language other than English is identified, we partner with you to determine whether language support would help your child succeed.
AZELLA Assessment
Arizona uses the AZELLA assessment to measure a student’s English proficiency. We use those results to design the right level of support — not to label or limit your child.
Structured English Instruction
EL students receive structured English language development built into their school day — vocabulary, grammar, speaking, listening, reading, and writing — alongside their grade-level classes.
Classroom Support
Our EL team works alongside classroom teachers so students get the language support they need WHILE staying connected to grade-level content. No one falls behind on math because they’re still learning English.
Cultural Responsiveness
We honor the cultures, traditions, and languages our families bring to ADS. Spanish-speaking families are not the exception at Roger Road and Star Valley — they’re a core part of who we are.
Reclassification
When a student demonstrates English proficiency on the AZELLA, they reclassify out of EL services — though we continue monitoring for two years to make sure they thrive in mainstream instruction.
From Enrollment to ReclassificationDesde la Inscripción Hasta la Reclasificación
Here’s what the EL process looks like at Academy Del Sol — step by step — so families know exactly what to expect.
We Communicate With You in the Language You PreferNos Comunicamos en Su Idioma Preferido
Speaking another language at home should never be a barrier to being part of your child’s education. At Academy Del Sol, we make sure Spanish-speaking and other multilingual families have full access to information, communication, and decision-making about their child.
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Translated CommunicationsComunicaciones Traducidas
Important school documents, AZELLA results, IEP notices, and parent communications are translated into Spanish.
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Interpretation at MeetingsInterpretación en Reuniones
Parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, and other discussions about your child can be conducted with Spanish interpretation.
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Family EngagementParticipación Familiar
Family events, parent workshops, and volunteer opportunities are designed to welcome Spanish-speaking families — not just translate at them.
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ClassDojo & Daily UpdatesClassDojo y Actualizaciones Diarias
Teachers use ClassDojo and other platforms that offer Spanish translation features for daily communication with families.
Dedicated Educators Who Care About Your ChildEducadores Dedicados Que Se Preocupan Por Su Hijo
Academy Del Sol has a dedicated EL team — including an EL Coordinator and instructional support staff — who work directly with multilingual students at both Tucson campuses. They partner with classroom teachers, communicate with families, and advocate for every student’s success.
Educators Trained to Support Multilingual Learners
From the EL Coordinator who oversees the program to the instructional aides who work directly with students each day, our team is committed to one thing: every Tucson child — in any language — has a place at Academy Del Sol.
Oversees the EL program, conducts AZELLA assessments, communicates with families, and partners with teachers across both campuses.
Instructional aides who work directly with EL students in small groups and within classrooms to support language development and content access.
All ADS teachers are trained in working with multilingual learners and partner closely with the EL team to support every student’s growth.
Answers for Multilingual FamiliesRespuestas Para Familias Multilingües
Common questions from Spanish-speaking and other multilingual families about how the EL program works at Academy Del Sol.
No. EL services are additional support — not a separate or lower track. Your child stays in their grade-level classrooms and receives the full K-8 curriculum, with language support built in. EL students at ADS are part of everything: arts, athletics, field trips, and grade-level learning.
No. Los servicios EL son apoyo adicional, no una pista separada o inferior. Su hijo permanece en sus salones del nivel de grado y recibe el currículo completo de K-8, con apoyo lingüístico integrado. Los estudiantes EL en ADS son parte de todo: las artes, los deportes, las excursiones y el aprendizaje del nivel de grado.
Excellent — many of our families do. We have Spanish-speaking staff at both campuses, and interpretation is available for parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, and family events. We never want language to be a barrier between you and your child’s school.
Excelente — muchas de nuestras familias lo hacen. Tenemos personal que habla español en ambos campus, y hay interpretación disponible para conferencias con maestros, reuniones de IEP, y eventos familiares. Nunca queremos que el idioma sea una barrera entre usted y la escuela de su hijo.
AZELLA (Arizona English Language Learner Assessment) specifically measures your child’s English language proficiency — listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It’s not a content test like math or science. Arizona requires it for all students identified as potential English Learners.
AZELLA (Evaluación del Aprendiz de Inglés de Arizona) mide específicamente el dominio del idioma inglés de su hijo — escuchar, hablar, leer y escribir. No es un examen de contenido como matemáticas o ciencias. Arizona lo requiere para todos los estudiantes identificados como posibles aprendices de inglés.
Of course. Speaking Spanish is something to celebrate, not hide. Many of our staff and students speak Spanish, and we honor and respect home languages every day. At the same time, we’re committed to helping your child develop strong English skills so they can access all the opportunities that come with being multilingual.
Por supuesto. Hablar español es algo para celebrar, no esconder. Muchos de nuestro personal y estudiantes hablan español, y honramos y respetamos los idiomas del hogar todos los días. Al mismo tiempo, estamos comprometidos a ayudar a su hijo a desarrollar habilidades sólidas en inglés.
Our EL and Special Education teams work together to coordinate support for students who qualify for both. We make sure language status doesn’t prevent appropriate special education services, and that special education needs don’t prevent appropriate language support. Both teams partner with families in their preferred language.
Nuestros equipos de EL y educación especial trabajan juntos para coordinar el apoyo a estudiantes que califican para ambos. Nos aseguramos de que el estado del idioma no impida los servicios apropiados de educación especial, y que las necesidades de educación especial no impidan el apoyo lingüístico apropiado.
It depends on each child. Some students reclassify in 1-3 years; others may need 4-7 years to reach English proficiency. Research shows that 5-7 years is typical for academic English. We work with families to celebrate progress at every step — not just at reclassification.
Depende de cada niño. Algunos estudiantes se reclasifican en 1-3 años; otros pueden necesitar de 4 a 7 años para alcanzar el dominio del inglés. La investigación muestra que 5-7 años es típico para el inglés académico. Trabajamos con las familias para celebrar el progreso en cada paso.
Su Familia Pertenece Aquí
En Academy Del Sol, las familias hispanohablantes son una parte central de quiénes somos — no una excepción. Si su hijo habla español en casa, queremos que sepa: hablar más de un idioma es una fortaleza. Aquí está lo que ofrecemos a las familias multilingües:
- Educación K-8 sin costo de matrícula en dos campus de Tucson
- Programa estructurado de aprendices de inglés con apoyo personalizado
- Comunicación en español — documentos, reuniones, eventos
- Personal hispanohablante en ambos campus
- Honramos su cultura y la riqueza que su familia trae a la escuela
- Apoyo coordinado para estudiantes con IEP y aprendices de inglés
¿Tiene preguntas sobre el programa EL, la inscripción, o cómo apoyamos a los estudiantes multilingües? Llámenos o envíe un correo electrónico. Hablamos su idioma.
Aplica Ahora — Sin Costo de Matrícula
Every Language. Every Child.Cada Idioma. Cada Niño.
Academy Del Sol welcomes Tucson’s multilingual families with structured English support, full curriculum access, and a community that values every language you bring through our doors.
Academy Del Sol da la bienvenida a las familias multilingües de Tucson con apoyo estructurado, acceso completo al currículo, y una comunidad que valora cada idioma.