Who We Are

Spearfish School District ESL program serves the K-12 school district, including students at Mountain View Elementary School, West Elementary School, Creekside Elementary School, Spearfish Middle School, and Spearfish High School.

ESL services are offered to ESL students within their general education schedule.  Services may include push-in or pull-out models. High school students can earn 0.25 credits per semester in a Language Acquisition class.

The ESL program assists within the framework of the general studies curriculum and can also provide English language lessons, depending upon the English proficiency and individualized needs of each student.

Accommodations are offered to ESL students. Some examples of accommodations include: extended time on assignments and tests, repeating directions, personal cuing, increased wait time, making instruction visual with graphic organizers or pictures, and allowing peer tutors to assist with work.  Accommodations are listed on each student's Language Acquisition Plan, which is provided to their teachers.

Students are tested annually with the WIDA ACCESS exam  to help monitor their progress and determine when students are eligible to exit the program.