Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)

While a universal definition of Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) does not exist, CPS has a more specific definition. CPS defines SLIFE as an EL in grades 4-12 who has gaps of two or more years of formal schooling in any country. Upon enrollment, EL staff will conduct an interview with the parent/guardian or the students themselves (in the case of an unaccompanied minor or adult student) as well as analyze school or case records. The results of the interview will be used by OSLA staff to determine SLIFE status.

The following buildings offer Newcomer/SLIFE programming, and have staffing and resources to offer intensive support. 

ELs who meet the CPS definition of a SLIFE student will be prioritized to attend one of the buildings listed above. To determine which building, the following factors should be taken into consideration:

1. Student has siblings attending the school
2. Student's neighborhood of residence
3. Grade level of the student (many newcomers in grades 7 & 8 will be able to easier acclimate to a K-8 building)
4. Student/family preference based on factors such as specialized programming, extracurricular activities, etc.

If the first ranked SLIFE school is at capacity, then the next best building option should be considered. Elementary SLIFE students living within the attendance zone of an elementary SLIFE building will be admitted, regardless of the building's capacity status. 

Newcomer

Newcomer services for non-SLIFE students are for students of all language backgrounds who are in US schools less than 180 days, but have academic skills in their native language. Services are intensive in nature and designed to support ELs' acquisition of social academic language and acculturation. Supports are most often delivered by an ESOL Teacher/Specialist in consultation with grade-level content teachers.