MRHS Immigrant Students Face Challenges

By Francesca C

At Mountain Range High School, diversity isn’t just visible in the halls, it shapes every part of the community. But for many immigrant students, that diversity comes with challenges that reach far beyond language. Their experiences raise questions of fairness, identity, and what it really means to belong. 

Moving to a new country isn’t just a fresh start, despite the many opportunities promised there are kicks to it. Having to learn completely new words, habits, and ways to fit in. At MRHS, many feel like they have to learn how to start living all over again.

For newcomer students, the struggle often starts with communication. Simple concepts like understanding could make thriving in the classroom environment difficult.

“They understand English; they’re just afraid of speaking it,” said Jonathan Valdez, a computer technician at MRHS. “They just don’t try, is what I see — it’s just because they’re shy.”

That fear runs deeper than just being shy, It’s the fear of saying something wrong, or being laughed at or misunderstood. By making the decision to not speak or communicate, they lose the chance to improve any of those skills.

Valdez makes it clear that he knows those feelings well. “I’m not really like a teacher,” he said, “but because we both speak Spanish and I’ve been in their shoes, they get a little more comfortable.” His connection goes beyond translation, understanding and recognizing more to a person other than just their accent.

Cassidy Kingsley, an English Language Development teacher, says belief plays a huge role. “I think assuming they’re really smart helps a lot… When we push them and truly believe in their abilities, there’s evidence it works.” Her words hint at an idea very simple but powerful, it means a lot to students when you just have faith in them.

Both Kingsley and Valdez set reminders that diligence is not measured by the language that is spoken. A lot of things shift when teachers hold their students to high expectations and set higher standards to believe they are capable. This defends the idea that individuals should not be looked down on just because they struggle with English.

Kingsley also believes relationships come before academics. “Social skills matter a lot… When we support students personally, they show much more growth academically.” It’s proof that connection fuels confidence — and confidence fuels learning.

That truth comes through clearly in the voices of students themselves.

One student, who preferred to stay unnamed, remembers how overwhelming those first days of his experience were. “Some of the biggest language barriers I faced were not knowing what people were saying to me… it was hard for me to adapt.” For those in similar situations, just having a conversation could feel like talking to a brick wall. 

Another anonymous student felt completely unappreciated. “I felt that my abilities were underestimated at MRHS because some people thought I wasn’t smart or interesting.” It is notable that judgement is one of the issues that is most concerned about when it comes to these new-comer students.

“Teachers and staff that understand my background were key to success, especially Mr. Harrington,” the same student said, "He knew what it was like for me.” Harrington was a prime example of how there is not really any need for solutions, but more importantly just a need to listen.

At a school as diverse as Mountain Range, that understanding might be the most powerful lesson of all. Students should not need to worry about surviving, preventing that starts with being welcoming and allowing everybody to feel like they belong to better shape the community and future of MRHS.