English Language Program

Welcome to our English Language (EL) Program,

Wheeling High School has a diverse student population, with students who speak over 39 different languages. Our English Learners (ELs) represent 39% (approx. 629 students) of the school’s total population. 

The English Learner (EL) Program provides students with excellent teaching and support based on the best ways to learn English.  Our goal is to help students develop English skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening, while also supporting their academic success, culture and social needs. 

How was your student identified as an English Learner (EL)?

This process is required by state law.

• Home language questions: During the registration process, parents and guardians fill out a Home Language Survey (HLS). Any student whose parents answered "yes" to one or both of the Home Language Survey questions below was administered a language proficiency test.

  • Is a language other than English spoken in the home?

  • Does the student speak a language other than English?

• English language proficiency test:  Illinois law requires school districts to administer an English proficiency assessment. This test measures the student’s English skills to determine if they qualify for our English language services.   

What does it mean to be an English Learner?

• Every year, students identified as English Learners (ELs), take the WIDA ACCESS English language proficiency test.  The test measures student’s progress in English skills for social situations and for their school classes (academic English for listening, reading, writing and speaking).  

• WIDA ACCESS test scores and teacher recommendations are used to:

  • measure student progress in learning academic English each year

  • help teachers know what English language support services to provide your student 

How will your student exit the program? 

• Students are considered fluent in English when they have a 4.8 or higher composite score on the WIDA ACCESS assessment. Students will no longer receive English language support services.   

What will your student’s schedule look like?

• Your student will have 4 core classes: English, Social Science, Science, and Math with English support as needed. The other classes that your student will take are Physical Education, a study hall, and 1 or 2 electives (classes like Art, Music, or Business).

What are EL classes like at WHS?

Our EL classes are taught in English by an EL certified teacher. They are designed to help students understand content while developing the English language skills needed for classes. They usually…

• Have extra support through an instructional assistant

• Focus on important vocabulary for the lesson 

• Use visuals and tools (graphs, pictures, , videos, and other supports to help students understand the concepts)

• Adapt content to students’ English proficiency level

• Practice reading, listening, speaking, and writing with the content vocabulary

• Include students’ cultural background and experiences in the lessons. 

• Build or connect to background knowledge by linking students’ background experiences & past learning to new concepts

• Include scaffolding of material (scaffolding: a teacher guides student learning by building on what students already know and by providing temporary supports as students learn new skills and material.)

• Use a lot of scaffolded small group interactions

• Encourage students to use their native language to help them learn new concepts in English. 

We are here to support you and your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Maria Rivas maria.rivas@d214.org  847-718-7340	Melanie Knapp Melanie.Knapp@d214.org                                                  847-718-7186