The English Language Centers (ELCs) provide intensive social and academic language support to recently-arrived English language learners in grades 7-12 (students at language levels 1 and 2 who have been in the U.S. for three years or less). The ELC program is designed to ease the transition for newcomer students while allowing them to work toward graduation standards. ELC students spend approximately 75% of the school day in intensive language through content classes, developing English skills while they study challenging content material such as geography, science, health, and math. The other 25% of the school day is spent in mainstream elective classes such as art, music, and physical education, allowing ELC students to interact with native English-speaking peers.

The content of ELC classes is aligned to state content and English Language Proficiency standards, and at the high school level, students earn credits that count towards graduation. ELC classes are taught by ELL-licensed teachers (or co-taught with content licensed teachers), and bilingual support is available for students.

ELC coursework focuses on English language development. ELC students also complete a yearlong transitional math course taught by a licensed math teacher (or co-taught with an ELL licensed teacher).

Most newly-arrived students complete the ELC curriculum sequence in two academic years. Upon exiting the ELC, students take mainstream courses for up to 80% of the day, shifting toward more academic work in English. Level 3 students enroll in transitional health and science courses, which are taught by mainstream teachers (or co-taught with an ELL licensed teacher) for ELL students only.

ELL students at language levels 4 and 5 (including long-term English language learners) take social studies, science, health, math, and electives courses in the mainstream; they continue to receive ELL support in academic reading and writing.

In 2009-2010, ELCs are located at:

Six Secondary sites

         Hazel Park Middle

         Washington Middle

         Arlington Senior

         Como Senior

         Harding Senior

         Humboldt (7-12)