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Vestavia Hills City Schools

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A globe with flags representing different countries, with the text 'English Language Learners', 'World Languages', and 'I am Vestavia Week!'

Banner for Vestavia Hills City Schools, highlighting English language learner programs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

English Language Learner Teachers

Lori Reeves

  • East and West Elementary

Heidi Perry

  • Cahaba Heights and Dolly Ridge Elementary 

Kelli Patterson

  • Vestavia Hills Liberty Park Elementary and Middle Schools

Melissa Parker

  • Louis Pizitz Middle School

Leslie Guerra 

  • Vestavia Hills High School Main Campus
  • Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus

Sherry Kington  

  • Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus
  • Language Development Facilitator

 

A red circle logo with the text 'Vestavia Hills City Schools' and 'Excell Academy' in blue.

 

We are excited to announce the launch of the ExcELL Academy, a program designed for English Language Learners (ELLs) in grades 9th - 12th. The program will operate daily 1st - 4th periods at the VHHS Freshman campus. Students in grades 10th-12th will be provided with shuttle transportation to the main campus for periods 5-8. ExcELL students will benefit from a structured curriculum, including sheltered English and History classes, and an ESL Language Acquisition course.

Our mission is to create a supportive and inclusive environment that ensures equal access to education for all students. We celebrate linguistic diversity, maintain pride in cultural and linguistic identities, and view English Learners as assets to our school community. We empower students to succeed academically and socially through personalized support, a team approach, and a focus on comprehensible content.

Parent Square Translation - Step-by-step guide

 

A red globe with a heart in the center, with the text 'I AM VESTAVIA WEEK' and 'VESTAVIA HILLS CITY SCHOOLS' below.

I am Vestavia Week and Festival 

Join Vestavia Hills City Schools for performances, celebrations, and multicultural hospitality. Students and families plan to share their native culture in the parade of flags, performances, and the Festival Village.

The educational outreach extends beyond the cultural village, with 80 suitcase country lesson plans delivered to elementary schools. These interactive lessons provide students with a hands-on opportunity to explore different cultures, fostering curiosity and understanding.

I am Vestavia Week January 20th – 23rd 2026

I am Vestavia Festival Tuesday, January 20th 2026

5:30pm -7:30pm Vestavia Hills Civic Center

For more information, email Lenhartfc@vhcs.us 

Would you like to be part of the festival celebration? If you complete one of the following forms, you will be contacted with details. 

 

Submit a recipe for the I am Vestavia Cookbook:

 

As part of this year’s I Am Vestavia Week, we’re excited to announce a special project — we’ll be creating a community cookbook. Anyone in our district is welcome to contribute by submitting a recipe from a different country. Ideally, the recipe will represent one of the many cultures within VHCS, but that’s not a requirement.
 
Please email the recipe to Lenhartfc@vhcs.us.  by January 8th. The cookbook will be free and available at the I am Vestavia Festival, 
 

Festival flyer promoting the 'I Am Vestavia Festival' with event details and highlights.

ELL Family Resources

ELL Teacher Classroom Resources

Questions? email Faith Lenhart - Lenhartfc@vhcs.us

Vestavia Hills City Schools
1204 Montgomery Highway
Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35216
Phone: 205-402-5100