New Arrival Center at Wilson Middle School

San Diego Unified School District has implemented a program known as the New Arrival Center.  Wilson Middle School, proudly hosts one such classroom.

The Vision:

We envision a district where all students who enter our system in grades 6-11, new to the U.S. and new to English, will have the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills to participate successfully in standards-based, grade level sheltered classes within one year of enrollment.  Students will learn the concepts and skills required for high school graduation and successful post-high school education, function successfully within U.S. cultural norms, and feel valued for their own culture.

The Mission:

The mission of SDUSD New Arrival Center is to provide a solid foundation in oral and written English for students who are new to English and new to the United States.  This program will engage these students in a rigorous accelerated course of study that builds survival and academic English as well as background knowledge across the curriculum.

Wilson Middle School is currently in its second year of implementing a New Arrival Center (NAC).  Wilson’s NAC is host to a variety of cultures and languages.  Students speak Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, French, Swahili and Burmese.  Past students have been successful in the acquisition of English and able to successfully participate in grade level, sheltered classes after participating in our NAC.  We know we will continue to see growth and progress.  We believe this program is an asset to our school and essential to the lives of our newly arrived students. 

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Patricia Reese (NAC teacher)  (619)280-1661 x4351 or preese@sandi.net.