Leadership

Welcome to Elmwood Elementary!

As Principal, it’s my honor to welcome you to the home of the Eagles! Elmwood has been a vibrant part of this community since 1960, and today we are proud to serve nearly 700 students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. Our focus every single day is simple: to create a safe, joyful environment where academic excellence goes hand-in-hand with caring for the whole child.

What makes Elmwood special is our people. Our dedicated teachers and staff bring creativity, deep expertise, and genuine care into their classrooms every morning. We know that every student arrives with unique strengths and needs, and we work hard to meet kids where they are, pushing them to grow into confident, independent thinkers. Alongside strong core academics, we are proud to offer rich programs in Fine Arts, Music, Band, Orchestra, and Physical Education, as well as hands-on learning experiences that bring lessons to life.

Supporting our students socially and emotionally is just as important to us as what happens in the classroom. Through morning meetings, guidance lessons, small groups, and leadership roles like Student Council, we help every student find their voice and build strong character. You’ll hear us talk a lot about "SOAR"—showing Safety, Ownership, Acceptance, and Respect—and we strive to recognize and celebrate those positive choices constantly.

Finally, Elmwood is at its best because of the strong partnership between our school and our families. Our active, parent-run Home & School organization leads wonderful events, coordinates volunteers, and raises funds that directly benefit our classrooms. We are so grateful for a community that shares our commitment to excellence.

Whether you are a long-time Elmwood family or brand new to our school, thank you for being part of our Eagle family. 

All my best, 

Araceli Ordaz