Criteria for Admission

The Academy for New Americans is a K-12 program that is optional, and is specifically designed instructional program for immigrant and refugee students. The Academy equips new and recently arrived immigrant students with the language, academic, social and cultural skills they will need to succeed with our school system. Students acquire beginning conversational and academic English, and learn the background content knowledge that will enable them to transition smoothly.

Students are eligble for Academy enrollment if they have recently immigrated to the United States (1 year or less) and meet one or more additional:

1. Student scores at the beginner level on the initial CELDT placement test

2. Student has inadequate or limited formal schooling. These are possible indicators:

Student has significant gaps in his or her educational background. For example, an adolescent who has only completed a few years of school here or in their native country.
Student cannot read or write in their own language
Student is significantly below grade level

3. Student who has adequate formal schooling in his or her native language, but requires a headstart in English Language Development and time for acculturation.

Transportation is provided to the Academy for the student's home FUSD school.

Students return to the home school once he or she successfully meets the exit criteria.

Candidates for The Academy for New Americans may contact Susan Sanders at (559) 253-6528 or Art Lopez at (559) 457-3628