In "Barrio Boy," Ernesto Galarza primarily distinguishes between his new school and his old school through language and the cultural environment. He notes that people speak English at his new school, while they primarily spoke Spanish at his old school. This reflects not only a difference in language but also different cultural contexts that he had to navigate as he transitioned into a new educational setting.
So the most accurate response from the options provided is:
He notes that people speak English at his new school; they spoke Spanish at his old school.