Many words can be used to describe Joel Cabrera—motivated learner, enthusiastic reader, engaged student. But a few years ago, none of these words would have applied to this third-grader at Bronx Little School in Soundview. Like nearly 140,000 other students in New York City’s public schools, Joel’s native language isn’t English.

Joel was born in the Dominican Republic, and came here with his family when he was four. When he arrived, he spoke only Spanish, which made the transition to pre-kindergarten difficult.

“I was bored, because I couldn’t understand what people were saying,” the nine year-old says. “I couldn’t ask anyone to play with me, and that made me kind of lonely.”

Working with his teachers and his mother at home, Joel became more comfortable with English. Maria Santiago, his English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, worked with him on sounding out difficult words and forming complete sentences. By first grade, he says, “I was an expert.” Today, Joel is an avid reader of non-fiction and fantasy books. He speaks with fluency and confidence.

“He’s a different child than the Joel I met a few years ago,” says Ms. Santiago, a veteran public school teacher. “He’s such a good student, and he’s so motivated to learn. I think that’s because of the power of reading.”

“When I came here, I didn’t know anything,” adds Joel. “And now look at me—I can read English and write my own books and stories. It makes me feel good because I learned a lot.”

“Joel has come such a long way,” Joel’s mother Lucia says through a translator,. “In the beginning, when he was sad, I kept encouraging him and telling him, ‘you’ll learn it, you’ll learn it!’ Bronx Little School was the first step for my son.”

Now, Joel can even help his mother, who works at a beauty salon, by translating for her. “Customers come in and say how they want their hair,” he says. “And then I translate it into Spanish for my mom.”

Bronx Little School operates on the ground floor of the former Monroe High School Campus, sharing space with four high schools. Next year, the school is moving in with another elementary school, which will offer more appropriate facilities and a respite from the hustle and bustle of teenagers.

Ms. Santiago, the ESL teacher, loves working at Bronx Little School. “It’s all about the children here,” she says of the school. “You get that feeling every day when you walk into the building.”

Bronx Little School recently received an “A” on its progress report, no doubt a testament to the hard work of professionals like Ms. Santiago with students like Joel.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” she says of the city’s public schools. “But I think we’re headed in the right direction.”