Who We Serve

• Spearfish School District currently has 20 ESL students representing eight countries in 2024-2025.

• Students are identified as English Language Learners primarily by their teachers or the Home Language Survey offered during the school enrollment process. 

• If a student has a language other than English spoken at home, he or she may also qualify for ESL services. 

• A standardized WIDA screening test, among other considerations, are used to determine eligibility.

• Parents are notified and may accept or decline ESL services for their children.

In South Dakota, an English Learner is classified according to the Federal government definition as described in ESEA Section 3201(5). An English Learner student is classified as one:

• Who is aged 3 to 21;

• Who is enrolled or preparing to enroll in an elementary school or secondary school;

• Who was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English; 

• Who is a Native American or Alaska Native, or a native resident of the outlying areas; 

• Who is migratory, whose native language is language other than English, and who comes from an environment where language other than English is dominant; 

• Whose difficulties in speaking, reading, writing or understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the individual the ability to meet the State’s proficient level of achievement on State assessments 

• The ability to successfully achieve in classrooms where the language of instruction is English; or the opportunity to participate fully in society. 

Native American Students:

Please note that the demographic racial category of Native American is not sufficient to satisfy the EL definition. According to the Federal EL definition above, Native American students must also meet the second criteria in c. ii. which states, “who comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on the individual’s level of English language proficiency.” 

VIEW THE SPEARFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT ESL HANDBOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION: