With more than 100 languages spoken throughout the Cy-Fair school district, CFISD is one of the most ethnically diverse districts in the country. Instituted in 2005, the CFISD New Arrival Center has made it its mission to help immigrant students from all over the world learn the English language.

"The goal of NAC is to accelerate students' English language acquisition," said Maria Trejo, director of curriculum and instruction for special populations at CFISD. "We target new arrivals to the country because that's our most at-risk group."

NACs are located on 13 campuses across the district—four elementary schools, five middle schools and four high schools. The program is offered to students from grades 4–12 who have moved to the country within the past six months. Each site has two ESL teachers and one paraprofessional working with students.

The program uses the accelerated learning approach to teach language acquisition. Accelerated learning uses brain-based learning strategies—a combination of active, hands-on activities, music, movement, visuals, and role play—to create a supportive, positive, language rich learning environment. Everything about the design of the rooms—from the lighting to the posters on the walls to desk arrangement—was done to create an environment that stimulates language acquisition, Trejo said.

Trejo estimates the centers have served 2,500 students since their inception. They average about 300–350 students per year across all grade levels, she said. Students who get involved with the one-year NAC program and stay in the program have a graduation rate of 94.2 percent. Four percent graduate in the top 10 percent of the district.

"Our goal is English language acquisition, but graduation is ultimately the symbol of our success," Trejo said.

About half the students that enter the NAC program achieve advanced and advanced high ratings on TELPAS—the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System—which is a state assessment that measures language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

"Prior to the NAC, most of our students who were limited-English-proficient would begin the year rated beginner and end the year as beginners," Trejo said. "With one year at the NAC, most students have made at least one year of language growth, and about 50 percent score at the advanced and advanced high level on the test."

Students enrolled this year come from all over the world, including Mexico, Peru, Ghana, India, China and Ukraine.

Carlos Gonzalez, who is taking NAC classes this year, said the program has given him more confidence in his interactions with his English speaking peers.

"It helps with classes, but it also helps me talk with new people," he said.

The NAC was recently recognized by the Magna Awards for outstanding programs that advance student learning. Cy-Falls NAC teacher Pamela Broussard was also named the 2013 Texas ESL Secondary Teacher of the Year by The Association for Bilingual Education.

Broussard pointed out the significance of giving students a place in which they feel supported.

"These classes keep students in small groups, and they become very connected with each other," she said. "A critical aspect of everything we do here is emotional support. That support gives them confidence in their pursuits, through to graduation and beyond."