At Atmosphere Academy, we are dedicated to supporting our diverse community of middle school learners, including those who are new to the country and speak little to no English. Our English Language Learner (ELL) program is designed to help students successfully navigate the more challenging middle school curriculum, building the foundational language skills they will need to thrive both academically and socially. As students transition from elementary school, the academic expectations in middle school become more complex, and our program is tailored to meet these demands. For students who are newcomers to the U.S. or have limited English proficiency, we offer a supportive and structured environment where language development is a primary focus. Our ELL program emphasizes key skills in reading, writing, and listening—critical areas that will lay the groundwork for their success on the NYSESLAT (New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test) and prepare them for the more rigorous high school curriculum. Through a combination of co-teaching in core subjects and small-group targeted instruction, our teachers provide personalized, culturally responsive support to help each student develop English language skills while simultaneously learning grade-level content. This approach ensures that students don’t just acquire language skills, but also gain the academic knowledge and strategies they need to be successful in all subject areas, from math and science to history and English Language Arts. In addition to language proficiency, our program emphasizes critical thinking, academic writing, and listening comprehension—skills essential for high school success. As students work toward mastering the NYSESLAT, we focus on helping them develop the literacy skills they will need to navigate high school coursework and beyond. Our ultimate goal is to equip students with the confidence and academic foundation necessary for success in high school, college, and their future careers. At Atmosphere Academy, we celebrate the cultural and linguistic diversity of our students and are committed to providing the support they need to succeed. Through individualized attention and an inclusive, engaging learning environment, we empower our ELL students to become confident, capable learners who are ready to meet the challenges of middle school and beyond.