English Language Learner Model

“This partnership has undoubtedly enhanced our collective ability to serve refugee and immigrant students and families more effectively.”

Gary Fields, Superintendent

Gary Fields

Superintendent

PARTNERSHIP INFORMATION
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A young woman in a gray and white scarf sits with her hand on her chin, looking thoughtfully to her right in a brightly lit classroom. Another student is partially visible in the foreground.

We’re reimagining schools for English Language Learners.

Traditional programs for English Language Learners are not producing meaningful results for today’s ML students, who often have limited or interrupted experience with formal education.

These students need a comprehensive approach to get them to the graduation stage with a diploma that holds real meaning.

A young woman in a gray and white scarf sits with her hand on her chin, looking thoughtfully to her right in a brightly lit classroom. Another student is partially visible in the foreground.
A woman and a boy are seated at a table in a classroom, interacting with each other. The boy is smiling and using his hands to communicate
A woman and a boy are seated at a table in a classroom, interacting with each other. The boy is smiling and using his hands to communicate

Our demographics are changing.

English Language Learners make America great. They deserve a rigorous and foundational education that gets them on track.

With a customized approach to accelerated learning, we ensure that each ML student has the tools they need to thrive and belong in their new community and beyond.

See our results

How do we do it?

Focus on relationships and personalization

Despite being part of a larger team, students and families are given exactly what they need as individuals, and we actively involve parents and guardians in their child's education. We intentionally create small, nurturing environments that allow deep community and relationship-building.

Collective and individual responsibility

The best way to support students is to expect their best - and to be honest about areas for growth. We believe in loving accountability, and have high expectations for our students as they take on increasing levels of responsibility for both themselves and their community. By building team and personal accountability, students build essential life and leadership skills.

Mind, body, character

Music, art, yoga and martial arts are not “extras” for Fugees - they’re a core part of our model and are essential to overall growth and development. Expression, movement and the visual arts support our students’ social-emotional learning and well-being.

Multicultural celebration

We know diversity is an asset and believe students can honor their own identities and cultures while acclimating to U.S. education systems. At Fugees, every culture is honored and celebrated as students from around the world come together to work towards shared goals on the soccer field and in the classroom.

Interested in learning more about our district partnerships?

Fugees Family is a national non-profit organization committed to advancing educational justice for refugee and immigrant youth. We are a network of U.S. schools dedicated to English Language Learner education, with locations in Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, and expanding nationwide.

From a Senegalese word meaning hospitality, respect, community, solidarity, and sharing, Project Teranga is Fugees’ solution to the education crisis facing multilingual learners in America. We are on a mission to build upon our proven whole-school model by partnering with public school districts and charter networks to design and support English Language Learner programs that get results.

Teranga partnerships with Fugees Family support district leaders and school teams through a combination of coaching, professional development, and technical assistance on school-wide culture and practice over multiple years.

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District partners

Our carefully-chosen district partners are committed to excellence serving ML students, data-driven results, and innovative instructional practices.

Fields with an asterisk (*) are required.

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Teranga Academy