Students enrolled in Madison County Schools’ English as a Second Language (ESL) program presented at the Madison County Board of Education meeting on Oct. 16, describing how the program has supported their English language development and school participation.

Katie Isaacs, the district’s English language teacher for all middle schools, told the board the program has grown dramatically since the early 2000s, from “around 30 students across the district” to 513 currently. Isaacs introduced a group of Clark Moores Middle School students who wore cultural clothing and displayed projects in the lobby.

Students described practical benefits from the program. “ESL has greatly helped me and supported me in my journey of learning English,” student Emily said, describing gains in vocabulary and social connections after arriving in the U.S. two years earlier. Evelyn, introduced by Isaacs as a 13-year-old from Mexico, said the program helped her “learn more English” and to “translate for my family and friends who don't know this place.” Sofia described improved grades and the ability to translate for her parents in public.

Isaacs explained how instruction varies by student need: newly arrived students may receive targeted practice two or three times a week for 30 minutes, while some students are best served by seeing the ESL teacher once a week. Board members and administrators praised the students and staff and invited families to an outdoor reception after the meeting.

The presentations highlighted students’ participation in athletics, band and drama, and their aspirations — examples the district and board cited as evidence the program supports both academic and extracurricular engagement. School leaders noted the program’s growth as the district’s population diversifies.

Board members and district staff thanked the students, families and ESL staff for the presentation and for the program’s contributions to student integration and achievement. The meeting then moved on to routine business.