Learning a new language while earning your high school diploma is one of the most challenging things a student can do. It takes focus, patience, and the right kind of support. At Opportunities For Learning (OFL), English Language Learners (ELLs) get all three.
OFL is a network of free public charter high schools in Southern California that has been serving students for over 20 years. The school's flexible, personalized model is designed for students who need an education that fits their lives, including those building their English language skills while working toward graduation.
Here is a closer look at how English Language Learners find success at OFL.
An English Language Learner, or ELL, is a student whose primary or home language is something other than English. These students may be fluent speakers of another language who are still developing academic English skills, recent arrivals to the United States, or students who grew up in bilingual households and need additional support with English reading and writing.
In California alone, more than one million students are classified as English Learners. They make up nearly one in five public school students across the state. OFL recognizes that these students bring incredible strengths, including bilingual abilities and diverse cultural perspectives, and works to build on those strengths through structured support.
When a student enrolls at OFL, the process begins with a Home Language Survey. This survey helps staff understand which languages are spoken at home. If the survey indicates a language other than English, the student is assessed to determine their level of English proficiency.
Based on the results, students receive a designation and are placed into the appropriate English Language Development (ELD) program. OFL uses the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) to evaluate and track each student's progress over time.
The key steps in this process include:
This process ensures that every English Learner is identified early and connected to the right resources from day one.
OFL offers English Language Development courses that are fully integrated into the school's course catalog. These are not add-on programs or afterthoughts. They are structured courses with clear learning objectives designed to help students build fluency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
ELD courses available at OFL include:
Students can earn graduation credit through these courses, and placement is determined by their ELPAC results and other local assessments. For students on a college-preparatory pathway, up to 1 year of ELD coursework can count toward the UC and CSU English subject requirements.
One of the features that sets OFL apart for English Learners is Small Group Instruction, or SGI. These are classes with just five to ten students, taught by skilled, single-subject instructors in distraction-free environments.
For ELL students, small groups offer several important advantages:
SGI is available for English, Math, and Science. English Learners are encouraged to participate in these classes as part of their personalized learning plan.
At OFL, every student works closely with a dedicated core teacher. This teacher meets with the student at least twice a week to review coursework, coach them through assignments, administer tests, and arrange for additional assistance when needed.
For ELL students, this relationship is especially valuable. A consistent teacher who understands a student's language level, learning pace, and personal goals can make the difference between feeling lost and feeling supported. OFL's model ensures that no student is left to navigate their education alone.
OFL provides free, on-site Math and English tutors at its campuses. These tutors are available to all students, including English Learners who may need extra time working through reading comprehension, academic vocabulary, or writing assignments.
This is not a service students need to sign up or pay for. It is built into the school experience and available whenever a student needs it.
OFL's blended educational model gives students, teachers, and families the freedom to design a customized learning plan based on each student's strengths, challenges, schedule, and goals. Students typically focus on no more than two core subjects at a time, which allows for deeper engagement rather than surface-level coverage.
For English Learners, this approach is especially effective because it allows them to:
This flexibility means that an ELL student who works a part-time job or has family responsibilities can still make meaningful progress toward graduation.
OFL partners with Pathways Travels to offer free cultural immersion and experiential learning trips. These programs give English Learners opportunities to practice communication skills, build confidence, and engage with new cultures and communities outside the classroom.
Available trips have included:
All of these programs are completely free. Students are nominated by their teachers, complete an essay and interview, and earn school credit for participating.
For English Learners, these experiences provide real-world contexts to practice English while gaining confidence in new environments.
Learning in a second language can be exhausting, especially when combined with the pressures of adolescence, family responsibilities, and adapting to a new culture. OFL provides confidential counseling and partner resources to support students dealing with both everyday challenges and more serious mental health concerns.
Support available to ELL students includes:
OFL's core values put the student first. English Learners are welcomed, not singled out, and the staff is trained to work with students at every proficiency level.
The goal of OFL's ELD program is not just to help students get by in English. It is to help them reach full proficiency so they can be reclassified and succeed in all of their academic coursework.
Reclassification means a student has demonstrated enough English proficiency to no longer need specialized ELD services. At OFL, this process is tracked through annual ELPAC testing, local assessments, classroom performance, teacher input, and parent feedback.
Once reclassified, students continue to receive monitoring and support to make sure they maintain their progress. The transition is thoughtful and gradual, not abrupt.
OFL may be a great fit for English Language Learners who:
Whether a student is a newcomer or a long-term English Learner, OFL has the structure and the people to help them succeed.
Does OFL offer classes specifically for English Language Learners? Yes. OFL offers dedicated English Language Development (ELD) courses, including ELD 9, ELD 10, and an ELD Newcomer course for students who are new to U.S. schools. These courses count toward graduation requirements.
How does OFL determine which ELD level a student needs? OFL uses a Home Language Survey at enrollment followed by the ELPAC assessment to determine each student's English proficiency level. Placement is based on these results along with local assessments and teacher input.
Is there free tutoring available for English Learners at OFL? Yes. OFL provides free, on-site Math and English tutors at its campuses. English Learners can access tutoring support as part of their regular school experience at no additional cost.
Can ELD courses count toward college admission requirements? Up to one year of ELD coursework can satisfy the UC and CSU English subject requirement. Students on a college preparatory pathway will work with their teacher and counselor to plan their remaining English courses.
Can English Learners participate in OFL's travel and extracurricular programs? Absolutely. All extracurricular activities at OFL, including cultural immersion trips, sports teams, and student clubs, are open to English Learners and offered at no cost.
Is OFL free for English Language Learners? Yes. OFL is a network of free public charter high schools. There is no tuition cost for any student, including English Learners.
If you or someone you know is an English Language Learner looking for a school that truly supports bilingual students, OFL is here to help.
You can enroll any weekday of the year. There is no need to wait for classes to start or for the semester to begin. Once enrolled, students, parents, and teachers work together to create a learning plan that respects and meets the needs of each student.
Here is how to get started:
Your language is an asset, not a barrier. At OFL, English Language Learners are supported, celebrated, and set up to succeed.