At Irene Reither Elementary (IRE), multilingual learners are thriving thanks to strong classroom instruction, purposeful small‑group support, and a welcoming school culture that celebrates every language. Last year, about 64% of IRE’s multilingual students met their WIDA growth targets, the state’s annual measure of progress in English listening, speaking, reading, and writing, a strong indicator of steady language development.
Teachers use strategies that make learning accessible and interactive for all students, while the multilingual team provides targeted support when needed.
“Students learn English both in and out of the classroom, but being in class with their teachers and classmates is where their skills really grow,” said multilingual learner specialist Holly Li. “Our teachers use many strategies to help students build their language as they learn.”
With about 150 multilingual learners, IRE carefully tracks growth and celebrates big wins. One student who moved from eastern Europe has more than doubled their expected annual growth two years in a row.
“Seeing that kind of growth reminds us we’re doing meaningful work,” said multilingual learner specialist Twan Mathijssen.
WIDA scores for this year are expected in late May. In the meantime, staff are strengthening how they monitor growth throughout the year by reviewing classroom work through a language lens and expanding collaboration between classroom teachers and the multilingual team.
If your family speaks a language in addition to English at home, please let your school know during registration or by contacting the office. Your child may be eligible for language development support.