With a Spanish-Speaking Population of More Than Forty Percent, Houston’s Varnett Public School Uses Technology to Assist Students with English Language Learning

Arlington, VA, April 03, 2017 -- The Varnett Public School, a state charter school that serves a significant English as a Second Language (ESL) student base, is providing an interactive language learning program that is already showing notable results. Through a new partnership with Rosetta Stone, up to 750 ESL students in Varnett’s three PreK-5 campuses in the greater Houston area can now have access to the digital program, helping them to develop English reading, writing and speaking skills at an accelerated pace.

The Varnett School

In addition to their time spent with ESL teachers and aides in the classroom, students now have access to supplemental guided instruction. Varnett is also making Rosetta Stone® Spanish available to its English-speaking students and teachers. 

“Since implementing Rosetta Stone in our schools in January, we’ve seen our ESL students make tremendous gains in their English language learning,” said Dr. Margaret Stroud, superintendent of The Varnett Public School. “The program is particularly appealing because the technology allows students to learn on the go – whether they’re at home or in class – and they can self-pace their instruction. We’re finding that students who spoke very little or no English a few weeks ago are now able to form sentences and communication is much improved!”

ESL students at Varnett have time allotted during the school day when they use the program in a computer lab with the assistance of an ESL teacher and aide or in a classroom setting. But language learning doesn’t end when class ends. Because the program is cloud-based, students can learn and practice from virtually anywhere using their laptop, smartphone or tablet.

“When we began working with Varnett, one of their primary requests was to have the program accessible to students outside of the classroom so they could continue to work on their language skills anytime. Their hard work is clearly paying off,” said Matt Hall, vice president, Enterprise & Education, Rosetta Stone. “We love seeing that they are already making such great strides in the program and that their acquired language skills are having a real impact on their lives. We applaud Varnett for recognizing how technology can positively impact learning in the classroom.”

Program accessibility is helping Varnett achieve its goal of breaking down language barriers that limit communication between ESL students and their teachers, and even the completion of assignments. To further overcome language gaps, some teachers and students at Varnett are using Rosetta Stone to learn Spanish. Varnett is also expanding the Rosetta Stone program to ESL parents and families, so that they, too, are able to improve their English and become more active in their child’s schooling.

About The Varnett Public School

The Varnett Public School in Houston is a public elementary charter school district that offers superior learning opportunities, experienced certified teachers, progressive educational practices and state-of-the-art technology.

Varnett’s mission is to provide a rigorous academic program which meets the needs of its diverse student population. The principles of its core beliefs are high student achievement, safety, respect and common decency. Varnett also emphasizes the importance of meaningful parental engagement and strongly believes there should be no achievement gap between socio-economic groups and/or children of ethnic diversity.

The 1,600-student school district provides advanced technology in every classroom, early childhood education, exceptional math and reading programs, educational field trips, an ESL program and an Advanced Bridge Program for gifted students.

Varnett provides free school breakfast and lunch for those in need and free, air-conditioned bus transportation. The Varnett Public School is dedicated to “excellence in all things.” In 2010, Varnett’s East Campus earned a National Blue Ribbon School Award for high student achievement and 2015 was awarded five stars of distinction. In 2016, Varnett’s Northeast Campus also earned five stars of distinction.

Learn more about The Varnett Public School at varnett.org and at facebook.com/varnett

About Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone Inc. (NYSE: RST) is dedicated to changing people’s lives through the power of language and literacy education. The company’s innovative digital solutions drive positive learning outcomes for the inspired learner at home or in schools and workplaces around the world.

Founded in 1992, Rosetta Stone’s language division uses cloud-based solutions to help all types of learners read, write, and speak more than 30 languages. Lexia Learning, Rosetta Stone's literacy education division, was founded more than 30 years ago and is a leader in the literacy education space. Today, Lexia helps students build fundamental reading skills through its rigorously researched, independently evaluated, and widely respected instruction and assessment programs.  

For more information, visit www.rosettastone.com.  “Rosetta Stone” is a registered trademark or trademark of Rosetta Stone Ltd. in the United States and other countries.

Media Contacts
Michelle Alvarez | Head of Global Communications, Rosetta Stone
202.390.0032 | [email protected]