Seattle Public Schools' "bilingual orientation centers" or BOCs are designed for students new to the American school system. These newcomer centers jumpstart students' oral, reading, and writing English acquisition. In the BOCs, students receive intensive English language training and also learn about American culture. Some native language instruction may be provided in subjects such as math. The BOCs promote smoother acculturation for immigrant students, many of whom have experienced war, famine, and refugee camp conditions.

The primary mission of the BOCs is to:

• Maximize basic English language proficiency in as short a period as possible.
• Orient the students to American customs and the Seattle Public Schools culture.
• Continue student growth in academic courses such as math, science and social studies.

In the BOCs, students receive full-day, intensive ELL instruction. The goal is for the students to rapidly gain English proficiency and transfer at the end of one or two semesters into an English Language Learning Center school. Students who enroll late in the semester often continue till the end of the next semester.

Elementary BOCs
At the Elementary BOCs, students are assigned to classrooms based on their age, compatibility, and English fluency. Using English immersion and some native language support from bilingual instructional assistants, students are instructed in math, reading, writing, and science and participate in all schoolwide activities.

Secondary BOC
The Secondary BOC staff assess students for appropriate initial placement and assign them to English reading and writing, social studies/history, and science classes in accordance with their English fluency. Math placement is in accordance to the students? computational skills. Recognizing that students? learning rates vary, teachers reassess students weekly and adjust the instructional program or transfer students to more advanced classes to ensure that students are sufficiently challenged.

Updated January 3, 2005

Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center