The English Language Development program (ELD) was created in 1991 to replace the ESL program with coordinated services to help English learners. The ELD program facilitates three special needs:

. To develop excellence in English
. To promote student academic achievement
. To nurture student self-esteem

ELD is designed to assist English language learners to speak, listen, read, and write Standard English. The program includes targeted courses in English as well as sheltered English instruction in the core subjects of English, mathematics, science, and social studies.

English language learners are assessed and assigned, based on individual student needs, to appropriate classes. Each student's needs are unique, so each student's progress and schedule may look different. Students are routinely assessed and transitioned into courses intended to match their development in English.