EDUCATION
EDUCACION
There are many opportunities for education geared toward and including the Latino population as they make their way into a new educational system. The Ann Arbor Public School district, as of 2004, accounted for 16,274 total enrolled students, 20 elementary schools, 6 junior high schools, and 5 senior high schools. The privileged students of this district enjoy a 16:1 student to teacher ratio with major emphasis on “early childhood education, mathematics, science, and technology” and also employs the ESL program for students transitioning into the English Language [1]. The city of Ann Arbor is well known as home to the prestigious University of Michigan and the University’s esteemed library is consistently ranked among the top ten libraries in the entire nation. There are many Daycare services available to working parents which provide an early start on education and discovery for young and often bilingual children.
The following is a list of places offering English as a second language (ESL) programs and classes:
The Stone School, part of the Ann Arbor pubilc school system offers classes to adults 20 years or older. The classes meet five days a week for a total of 15 weeks. Classes begin in September and Janurary. Registration for these session takes approximately two hours and a green card or passport must be provided. The ESL classes offered at Stone School are free.
The ESL Center provides a collection of language exercises, grammar games, dictionaries, and many other tools that facilitate the learning process. The website provides links to a variety of local and state rescources such as the Michigan state department and an entertainment guide for the area.
The Koby Language Center located in Ann Arbor provides comprehensive English as a second language programs. In addition to regular ESL programs, the Koby center also offers intensive tracks of both academic and business english programs. Personalized English lessons can also be arranged on the individual or group level. The programs are offered in 4 week terms and class size is limited to 12 students. The facilities include a computer lab for computer assisted language learning.
Washtenaw Community College also offers an ESL program. The program is designed for adults and can be taken as an intensive track or on a one-at-a-time basis (non-intensive track). A placement test aids in determining each individuals proficiency level prior to class enrollment. In order to enroll in the program prospective students must apply to the college and then, once accepted, make an appointment for the ESL orientation.
The following list provides a variety of child-care options:
Pound House Children's Center - 710 S. Forest, (734)-998-8440
Pound House provides both preschool and extended afternoon care for children ages 2 1/2 - 5. The program features a teacher to student ratio of 1:4. The cost of the program is $914 a month for regular hours (8am-5:30pm) and $508 a month for half day. There is a summer program available. Priority is given to University of Michigan employees and students.
Perry Nursery School of Ann Arbor - 3770 Packard, (734)-677-8130
The Perry Nursery School offers day care, preschool, and kindergarten for children ages 2 1/2 - 6 years of age. The program is available to low-income, single-parent families only. The program features a teacher to student ratio of 1:8. Costs are determined based on income.
Little Lamb Nursery and Kindergarten - 2794 Packard, (734)-971-4811
The Little Lamb Nursery and Kindergarten offers childcare for ages 6 weeks to 12 years. It also offers preschool and kindergarten for ages 2 1/2 - 5. Little Lamb is affiliated with Seventh-Day Adventist Church but provides non-denominational teaching. The program features a teacher to child ratio of 1:4-1:12. Costs are $175 a week for ages 2 1/2 and up and $210 a week for infants. Part-time and summer care is available.
Gretchen's House VII - 1580 Dhu Varren, (734)-821-2800
Gretchen's House VII offers child-care, full-day kindergarten, and before and after school care for children 3 months to 12 years. Full and part-time programs are available for preschool and kindergarten. The program boasts a teacher to child ratio of 1:3-1:10. Costs range from $162-$1432 a month, summer programs are available.
Community Day Care and Preschool - 1611 Westminster Place, (734)-761-7101
Community Day Care and Preschool houses both a preschool, regular school, and k-care programs. Parents must apply for admission, forms are located on the website. Also provided on the website is a sample daily schedule for both the preschool and the regular school. K-care is a kindergarten program in which children are encouraged to explore their environment in ways that are meaningful to them. They offer tuition on a sliding scale based on income, however, spots are limited.
Ann Arbor KinderCare - 2300 South Huron Parkway, (734)-971-6626
Ann Arbor KinderCare features Hooked on Phonics programs as well as infant, toddler, and preschool programs. KinderCare offers before and after school care. Children ages 6 weeks to 12 years are welcome. The center is open from 6:30am until 6:00pm Monday through Friday. To get information about tuition and openings, parents must complete an online information request form available on the website.
The following is a list of libraries in the area:
Ann Arbor Public Libraries - 343 South Fifth Avenue, (734) 327-4200
Ann Arbor public library provides free services to all residents living within the Ann Arbor school district and to others living outside that district for a fee. The library system holds over 425,000 materials - books, DVDs, compact discs, magazines, audio books and more. The library offers print and electronic reference resources, Internet access through the Library’s fiber-optic connection, state-of-the-art Wi-fi service, computer and Internet training, library exhibits, and several different events that take place throughout the year. There are three branches: Mallets Creek (3090 East Eisenhower Parkway (734) 327-5122 Ann Arbor, MI 48108-1913), West Branch (2713 Plymouth Road (734) 327-4588 Ann Arbor, MI 48105-2427), and Northeast Branch (2503 Jackson Avenue (734) 327-4200 Ann Arbor, MI 48103-3818.)
Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled - 4135 Washtenaw, (734) 973–4350
The Washtenaw County Library for the blind and physically disabled provides free services for residents of Washtenaw, Jackson, and Livingston counties who are unable to read standard print materials. Books and magazines on cassettes and in Braille and large print are available by postage-free mail. Staff can assist with selections and answer requests. Reading machines available for on-site use. Free computer training by appointment. Book club. Mon.–Fri. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m CITE
Chelsea District Library - 221 S. Main Street Chelsea, MI, (734) 475-8732
The mission of the Chelsea District Library is to provide equal access to quality resources that serve the lifelong cultural, educational and informational needs and interests of all people. The library offers accurate and diverse sources of information in a spacious, attractive, state-of-the-art facility with an excellent collection of books, periodicals, videos, DVD, CDs, audio-books, and online and CD-ROM databases. The library is open during the school year between 10am-9pm from Monday-Friday, 10-5 on Saturday and 1-5pm on Sunday.
Dexter District Library - 8040 Fourth Street Dexter, MI, (734) 426-4477
The Dexter District Library offers services for patrons of all ages, including specialized services for younger children. The Dexter District Library provides a wealth of popular reading materials and reference materials for adults. The Dexter District Library is a member of The Library Network, a cooperative of over 55 member libraries in the Southeast Michigan area. Through membership, the Dexter District Library has access to the collections of other member libraries. The Dexter library has specialized services available for children including story time. In addition, we also have a collection of young adult favorites, such as Pokemon, The Magic Treehouse, The Babysitter's Club and Goosebumps!
Ypsilanti District Library - 5577 Whittaker Road Ypsilanti, MI 48197, (734) 482-4110
Ypsilanti District Library offers a wide range of opportunities for people who wish to make a contribution to YDL through donations, sponsorships and partnerships. The staff at the YDL has put together a list of Internet search engines. If you have a search engine that you would like to share, please feel free to contact us. The Ypsilanti District Library provides access to a wide variety of databases, including full text magazine and newspaper databases and resources that concern specific subject areas such as business, health, education, computers, genealogy, and literature. All are available from within the library, and most can be accessed by YDL cardholders from outside the library as well.
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