By Julianna Stephenson
Rockbridge County Public Schools’ enrollment in English as a second language program has doubled in the last five years.
The ESL program currently serves 79 students, said Lindsey Flint, ESL program coordinator. Of the total, 46 entered the United States in the last three years.
as well as 14 at Maury River Middle School. Photo by Julianna Stephenson.
The increase reflects a national trend: The U.S. Hispanic population has grown by nearly 1.2 million residents since 2022. In Rockbridge County, the Hispanic population increased by about 200 people from 2022 to 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The increase has also affected social service agencies, such as Lexington’s Project Horizon. Judy Casteele, executive director, said the agency assisted 86 people last year, up from 48 in 2022.
For the public schools, the increased demand for English language classes forced the district to hire more help. Three years ago, the schools had one part-time teacher. The schools now have four full-time ESL employees, including two teachers.
The district meets state standards on ESL programs, “but as a teacher, you always want as many teachers as you can,” Flint said.
Virginia’s Standards of Quality currently require one ESL teacher for every 50 ESL students, Flint said. The staffing requirements will change in January to take into account the proficiency level of each student.
With the current staffing, the elementary ESL teacher serves four schools. Flint said. The middle and high school ESL teacher serves two schools.
“It’s a pretty intense schedule for them,” said Tim Martino, assistant superintendent. “But we’re fortunate that we have two very, very competent teachers that are leading the way on this.”
and administration, Tim Martino. The district’s increased hiring is to comply with Virginia’s
Standards of Quality. Photo courtesy of Tim Martino.
In addition to Flint and the two ESL teachers, the county hired an interpreter to assist families that speak no English at home, Flint said.
Aside from hiring efforts, the county purchased a new curriculum to enhance language proficiency, Flint said. Previously, there was no specific curriculum for students in the ESL program.
Other programs, such as Washington and Lee University’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Services program, also serve public school ESL students, said Jayne Reino, the university ESOL director. They offer in- and after-school tutoring, translations, interpretations, English classes and community events.
publish a children’s book. Photo by Julianna Stephenson.
During the 2023-24 school year, the university had 48 tutors that served a total of 2,433 hours in the local schools, which includes Rockbridge County and Lexington City, Reino said.
for local students learning English. Photo by Julianna Stephenson.
While the ESOL program serves students who speak any language, it specializes in Spanish to serve the greatest demand, Reino said.
“There has been a large influx in the last several years of Venezuelan families who moved to the area,” Reino said. “We saw a huge increase in programming.”
years, said Lindsey Flint, the ESL program coordinator. Graphic by Julianna Stephenson.
Flint and Martino said community-based events are a crucial part of the ESL program.
“We tap into the community really heavily to make sure that they’re having access to whatever it is they need,” Martino said. “If you come from a different country and you don’t speak the language, you need help beyond school.”
Flint is hoping the county will add a third teacher next year.
“We really just want to provide the best support for our students and their families that we can to increase their proficiency.”