Rochester International Academy to be reconfigured to expand access and meet state multilingual‑learner rules

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Wright and district leaders presented a reimagining of the Rochester International Academy on April 30 that they said is intended to align the program with New York State Commissioner’s Regulation Part 154 and increase equitable access to grade‑level content for multilingual learners.

The redesign moves away from an isolated, standalone model toward integrated instruction so multilingual learners have access to rigorous grade‑level classes as they develop English. High‑school level RIA programming will be co‑located at East High School so students can access CTE and other offerings, while K–6 newcomer supports will be developed at Schools 5, 15 and 50 — sites the district said already have experience and cultures supportive of multilingual learners. "We're intentionally moving away from an isolated program model toward an integrated inclusive instructional model," Dr. Wright said.

Dr. Wright said the redesign was informed by a stakeholder engagement committee that met monthly and included RIA families, former students, community advocates and district leaders. The district also cited a corrective action plan from the state that required changes to the K–6 configuration at RIA; the redesign, Wright said, responds to those findings while preserving RIA’s strengths.

Board members expressed support and asked practical questions about interpreter access and neighborhood enrollment impacts as programming shifts; administrators said they will continue stakeholder consultations and monitor enrollment patterns. No vote or formal action was taken at the meeting.