The mission of the Manassas City English for Speakers of Other Languages program is to equip ESOL students with the language skills they need to be socially and academically prepared to be successful students in Manassas City's school division.

Manassas City Public Schools has provided English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services to English Learners (ELs) for many years. The number of ELs in MCPS has increased annually. Currently, the school system services over 2,000 ESOL students from more than 27 different language groups.

The ESOL program provides students with the opportunity to reach proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing as measured in the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) assessment, the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State (ACCESS) for English Language Learners. In addition, Manassas City must also comply with the federal requirements under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) amended in the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA). A performance goal of ESSA requires EL students to become proficient in English while reaching high academic achievement standards in reading/language arts, mathematics, and science. ESSA also requires that EL students participate in annual academic achievement assessments in reading/language arts, mathematics, and science.

The ESOL program addresses these goals through several approaches. These program components have been designed with the student's grade and proficiency level in mind, along with recommended best practices and scientifically-based research. Each school uses several types of service delivery, along with specific teaching strategies by ESOL and classroom/core content teachers.

• Center for Parent Information & Resources

• Colorín Colorado

• English Learner Family Toolkit

• The Parent Institute

• Tips for Helping Children Learn to Read

• US Department of Education Tip Sheets

The ESOL Parent Advisory Committee (EPAC) is comprised of parents, community members, MCPS staff, and students.  The committee meets to provide guidance and recommendations on the ESOL program and the Title III Grant.

Please feel free to share questions or concerns with the ESOL Advisory group.

To comply with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Limited English Proficient (LEP) students must be identified during the enrollment process. As part of the enrollment process, all parents/guardians must fill out the home language survey for every child enrolling. Families registering children are assisted in completing the documents and registration materials on-site, as needed. Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) uses the Home Language Survey (HLS) results to determine the need for further English language proficiency screening and possible English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services. If the family indicates a language other than English on the HLS, the enrolling school registrar notifies the ESOL lead teacher of the need for screening. 

Home Language Survey - English Spanish Version Coming Soon!

If the student is newly arrived, or does not have an ELP level assigned by a Virginia school division, ESOL staff will screen students using the WIDA Screener assessment or the WIDA Kindergarten MODEL. The results of the entry assessment will be used to determine if the student qualifies for language instruction programs. More information on the WIDA Screener can be found here. Students identified as needing ESOL services will be placed in language instruction programs based on English language proficiency level and grade.