Academic Student Services

Our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program provides specialized instruction and support for students whose native language is not English. Our dedicated ESOL team helps these students develop proficiency in academic English across all subjects, encompassing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The goal is to ensure every English learner can fully access the curriculum, succeed academically, and thrive in our school community.

BHMS schools use the following instructional models. 

• Pull-out model outside the academic block – students receive small group language instruction from the ESOL teacher
• Push-in model within the academic block – students remain in the classroom and receive content instruction from their content area teacher along with language assistance from the EOSL teacher
• Innovative delivery model – CSD District ESOL teacher works in collaboration with General Education classroom teachers that hold an ESOL endorsement to provide ESOL services for EL learners in their classrooms. 

BHMS ESOL Contact: 
Janet Arenas jarenas@csdecatur.net

District Resources

At BHMS, we're dedicated to meeting the unique needs of our gifted and talented students. The Georgia Board of Education defines a gifted student as someone who shows a high degree of intellectual, creative, or artistic ability, exceptional leadership skills, or excels in specific academic fields, and needs specialized instruction to reach their full potential. Our local goals for gifted services directly align with the City Schools of Decatur (CSD). At BHMS we're proud that the majority of our teachers are gifted-endorsed, and we have three dedicated gifted specialists who provide invaluable support to both students and families alongside their teaching responsibilities.

We provide comprehensive support for gifted students in several ways:

• ELA and Math Honors Courses (6th and 7th Grade)
• ELA and Math Enhanced Courses (8th Grade)
• Cluster Service Model (All Social Studies & Science Courses)
• Gifted Resource Connections Course (6th Grade)
• STEM Enrichment Connections Course (7th and 8th Grade)
• Journalism Enrichment Connections Course (7th and 8th Grade)

BHMS Gifted Specialist Contacts:

• District Resources
• DHS/BHMS Webinar Recording & FAQ from "Perfectionism, Procrastibation, and Unrealized Potential" webinar 11/20/25

• Data-based decision-making to guide instruction and intervention.
• Universal screening to proactively identify students in need of support.
• A multi-level prevention system with three tiers:
  • Tier 1 (high-quality instruction for all)
  • Tier 2 (targeted interventions)
  • Tier 3 (intensive interventions)
• Progress monitoring to track the impact of interventions.

This integrated approach ensures that all students receive the appropriate level of support to thrive.

BHMS MTSS and 504 Coordinator 

Erica Godfrey egodfrey@csdecatur.net

Phone ext.5028

District Information on MTSS

At Beacon Hill Middle School (BHMS), our Special Education Department is dedicated to facilitating a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all students with disabilities (SWDs) who reside in the City of Decatur, in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. We achieve this by fostering strong partnerships with students, families, our school community, and the broader community.

At BHMS, every student with a disability is assigned a case manager who serves as a primary point of contact and advocate. Special Education programs and services are provided along a continuum, tailored specifically by each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). This approach ensures that services are available to meet unique student needs while prioritizing placement in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Our goal is to provide comprehensive support that enables every student to thrive academically and socially within our school.

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Special Education Lead Teacher for Beacon Hill Middle School (SELT)

Aliya Rashid-Austin
aliya.rashidaustin@csdecatur.net

District Information