ELLIS serves a linguistically and culturally diverse population from across the Bronx and northern Manhattan, nearly all coming to ELLIS within weeks or months of first setting foot on U.S. soil. Our students come from over 20 countries and speak more than 10 different languages. English is the second or the third or fourth language of every ELLIS student. Students have a wide array of prior educational experiences, ranging from 0 to 12 years of formal schooling. Students who enroll at ELLIS (1) have less than one year living in the United States, (2) are not yet proficient in English, and (3) are over-age (15.5 to 19 years old) for entering a New York City high school. While many students enter with a high school transcript from their native countries, ELLIS understands that students need at least 3-4 years to build their academic language proficiency in English, as well as their habits of mind and work across all subject areas, in order to be ready for entry and success at an American university.