The English Learner Program (EL) in Loudoun County Public Schools is a resource program designed to support English language learners as they gain language proficiency and become active, engaged learners. Following are the main elements of the EL program:

• Listening: learning to understand spoken English in social and academic contexts;

• Speaking: learning to speak English with increasing accuracy and fluency to convey meaning appropriate to a wide range of social and academic contexts;

• Reading: learning to read English with increasing fluency and comprehension for a variety of purposes;

• Writing: learning to produce written English with increasing fluency and accuracy to convey meaning appropriately in a range of social and academic contexts.

At Sterling Elementary, the EL team strives to incorporate second language acquisition and SIOP strategies in planning and implementing lessons within each grade level classroom. We are responsible for the administration of the ACCESS for ELs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Learners). ACCESS is the language proficiency assessment given to kindergarten through 12th graders who have been identified as English Learners. It is given annually to monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English.

PEP Program

The Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) Program in LCPS promotes parent involvement in the school community for parents whose primary language is not English. The PEP program participants attend classes to learn about the educational system in the United States and with the LCPS, gaining information that will enable them to be decision makers and advocates in their children’s education.

We encourage a home/school partnership through the following outreach opportunities:

• Paperwork Assistance Night

• Reading Information Meetings

• Multicultural/Diversity Celebration

• Telephone and Personal contacts 

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.
‒Chinese Proverb