This past year, Holyoke High launched its Newcomer Academy, a program designed to help high school students adjust who’ve recently come over to Holyoke from a different country or Puerto Rico and do not know English. The academy intends to help high school students learn English while also succeeding in their classes and earning credits toward graduation. Many other schools throughout the country have incorporated Newcomer Academies into their curriculums and with a majority of students from Spanish-speaking countries at HHS, the school decided it would be beneficial to incorporate a newcomer academy into the new school design plan.

“It’s really exciting that we were able to start the academy this year,” said Ms. Page, head of the Newcomer Academy. “We recently had an orientation and many of the parents who attended appeared very enthusiastic and interested about the academy.”

This academy is offered for one year to students who’ve come over to the United States within the past year and don’t know English. Holyoke High also offers another program, English As a Second Language, which is directed towards students who know some English but are not proficient enough that they feel comfortable to be placed in a regular English class. Students from the Newcomer academy switch to this program after their 1^st year.

 The academy started off with 12 students, but now has grown to 25 students in the Newcomer Academy and 250 students in the ESL program. The program would not be possible without its many devoted and passionate bilingual teachers who work with these students to ensure that they are being taught the material that they need to stay on track towards graduation, pass the MCAS, and be successful. These teachers have attended Professional Development over the summer and have been trained to work with and teach newcomer students and Spanish speaking students.

In the Newcomer Academy, in order to not overwhelm students by throwing them into all English classes right away, students are taught two of their core classes in Spanish: science and math, while receiving the rest of their core classes in English taught by trained teachers. However, their elective classes are regular classes, so students can meet and interact with other students, rather than just those who are also in the academy.

“We’re all very excited about this academy and it’s off to a great start!” said Ms.Page.

Within the past few weeks, Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma struck through Puerto Rico. Many of Holyoke High’s own students have families and friends over in Puerto Rico and their loved ones were drastically affected by these hurricanes. It left many homeless or with severe destruction to their homes and personal lives that could take years to repair.

With the hurricanes striking through, bringing much destruction and despair along its path, the Newcomer Academy is preparing to expand. With a large Puerto Rican population in Holyoke, the Newcomer Academy is expecting a large influx of students coming over from Puerto Rico due to the hurricanes. While it’s tragic and very upsetting that these natural disasters occurred, the Holyoke school System is looking to the bright side and is excited to potentially expand and is ready to welcome any new students!