On Monday, September 19th, students new to the United States began the first “Newcomer Program” designed to meet their needs through concurrent enrollment in both day school and evening school. English learners at Annapolis High School who are 17 years of age or older and have no transferable high school credits are eligible for this newcomer program. Students arrive at school for lunch at 10:30, attend ESOL 1, and an art or physical education elective during traditional school hours. Students then stay to attend Evening High School for Matter and Energy, Transitional Math, and a choice of ProStart or Stretch Your Wellness. Social/emotional support is integrated throughout the week through both group and individual attention from the ISSO counselor and social worker. The Newcomer Program provides students with a small class size program to ease their transition into American schools, while allowing them to complete valuable graduation credits with teachers who are focused on building content and language simultaneously.
Representatives from numerous offices in AACPS collaborated over the past two years to develop the ideas that led to this big day!