We proudly welcome qualified international and limited-English speakers and offer them the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the school community. The ESL (English as a Second Language) program is designed to meet the needs of non-native speakers of English for participation in our mainstream academic curriculum and school activities. As an important part of a successful transition to life in the United States, the ultimate goal of the ESL program is to prepare students for further study and success in English language universities.
Celebrating linguistic diversity and a multicultural student body, our ESL program provides special support for English Language Learners in a small, close-knit environment with much personal attention. Daily, intensive language instruction by a qualified ESL teacher is provided during the regular school day, and also in optional after-school tutorial sessions. Our ESL program assists in the adjustment process as students become accustomed to life in the United States. Whether students are living with their own family, or a host family, guidance and support in student/school/family communication in academic and cultural adjustment is a central focus.
Students are generally required to spend two years in ESL class. This immersion instruction in academic language, grammar, and social communication is structured around the four skill areas: listening, reading, speaking and writing. Classes are small, and meet one period per day. Courses are taught using a functional approach, and students are assessed according to the standards of the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Students follow the mainstream curriculum for all other courses.
Savannah Country Day School provides a wide range of sports, arts, clubs and activities in addition to its rigorous academic program. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in come of the many available options in order to integrate fully into the life of the school. We recognize that this can be a large time commitment, and students should keep this in mind when considering the school.