The El Velero Spanish Immersion Program is a Kindergarten through 4th-grade curriculum in a bilingual Spanish immersion environment. It is located at Ordway Elementary School in the Bainbridge Island School District. The program was launched in 2012 and currently has approximately 110 students and has grown in enrollment each year. The students follow the same district curriculum as all of the elementary schools, but in a bilingual immersion environment.

Four classes are offered: Kindergarten, First, Second, and a 3rd/4th multi-age class. Students learn to understand, speak, read, and write in Spanish. The goal of the program is to give students the opportunity to become proficient in both Spanish and English while learning the common core standards required of all students in the district.

For more information and registration about the program, visit the Frequently Asked Questions on this site or call (206) 842-7637.

El Velero Kindergarten 2023 Info Night

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Ordway Elementary, 8555 Madison Ave. N

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The application process for the upcoming school year has begun. Applicants must enroll their child at the Bainbridge Island School District Website. Once a student is enrolled in the district, you must fill out the El Velero Lottery form.

The Lottery is held for Kindergarten only.

The waitlist from Kindergarten rolls over into 1st grade.

If you would like to add your child to the 1st grade waitlist - please register your child (if not already) and fill out a lottery form.

Interested in joining El Velero at 2,3, or 4th grade please contact Ordway Office Manager at (206) 780-1397. There is a Spanish language competency assessment. 

Dates: Lottery Form and BISD registration are due no later than March 10 to qualify for the Lottery.

Lottery will be held on March 14 and families are notified by March 17.