Overview

My name is Mr. Brown, and I am proud to lead the English as a New Language (ENL) Department — one of the largest departments at our school, with a dedicated team of 22 ENL teachers. We stand at the forefront of teaching and learning, serving a uniquely diverse student body that speaks over 58 different languages.

At Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) High School, the ENL program plays a critical role in student success. We not only build language proficiency, but also connect students' rich cultural experiences to academic content, civic literacy, and critical thinking across the curriculum. This important work requires meaningful collaboration across content areas, grade levels, and strong personal connections with both students and their families.

Our ENL educators believe that by valuing and engaging parents as essential partners, we empower our students. Many of our students thrive because of our commitment to providing access to community resources, encouraging cultural integration, and creating opportunities for real-world learning experiences. These efforts help students successfully acclimate to life in a new country and prepare them for the demands of the 21st-century job market.

We further support our students through innovative programs such as the Multilingual Scholars Academy, FDR SAT and Test Prep, FDR Early Tech Executives, Financial Literacy, and the Dual Language Program. In addition, our Parent Academy offers English language instruction for parents, fostering a school community where families grow and learn together. Through initiatives like the Seal of Biliteracy, we inspire students to take pride in being bilingual and to recognize the strength in their multicultural identities.