English as a Second Language

The City School is proud of its diverse student population which has roots in many parts of the world. We are committed to supporting all of our non-native speakers of English, including international students, with English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Our ESL program seeks to enable students to participate successfully in mainstream classes, to smoothly transition to U.S. colleges, and to adapt overall to U.S. culture.

The City School’s ESL program is designed to meet the needs of each qualifying student. We offer multiple levels of ESL classes. The classes are offered 3-5 times per week, for one period a day. Additional one-on-one support will be made available to the student as needed.

Our ESL classes are designed to teach technical aspects of the English language as well as nuances of American culture and expectations in U.S. schools. Among the topics that will be covered are reading comprehension strategies, grammar, academic vocabulary, essay writing, note taking, idiomatic expressions, oral fluency, and aural comprehension.

Our admissions office determines each student’s need for ESL. Prospective students are placed in ESL based on their interview, English proficiency scores, grades, and teachers’ feedback.

The City School is offering ESL for no additional charge for the 2018-2019 year! Please inquire today! If you would like more information on International Admissions, please visit our International Admissions page.

ONE CHILD AT A TIME — The City School is a Pre-K to Grade 12 Christian school in the heart of Philadelphia. We believe an excellent education should be accessible for families in the city.