Bilingual Preschool: 11 years educating hundreds of families

La Escuelita Bilingual Preschool has been providing education to 380 children in North Carolina for over 11 years.

by Yuliana MontielMarch 11, 2025

The Escuelita Bilingual Preschool has been providing education to 280 children in North Carolina for more than 11 years (Photo: La Noticia).

With the goal of promoting early English education for Latino or mixed-race families , respecting and incorporating elements of Latino culture, the Escuelita Bilingual Preschool delivers bilingual educational materials every week to 40 children from different cities in North Carolina.

Why choose bilingual education?

For the students at Escuelita Bilingual Preschool, arriving in the classroom is their opportunity to demonstrate their Spanish skills and return home knowing new English words . This is what motivated Maru Pargas to enroll her two daughters at La Escuelita and, later, become a teacher there.

" For me, as a mother, it's been wonderful because we only speak Spanish at home, so this allowed them both to adapt, learn, and study English . They left here with a good understanding, and when they got to school, it was easier, " she told La Noticia .

In addition to the linguistic benefits, bilingual education at the Escuelita includes some culturally relevant classes , such as the celebration of the Christmas Posadas, May 5th, Mother's Day, Father's Day, among others. 
In this way, some parents find that education aligns with their family values, according to Fabiana Silva, mother of one of the students.

" When you choose a school for your children, you have to be sure that they're well cared for and that they reinforce the values ​​you're teaching them at home . This is something I saw at Escuelita, because everyone from the principal to the teachers is close to the children and addresses their concerns and those of you as parents. This was something that motivated me, as was the bilingual approach ," she commented.

Currently, one of the main challenges facing school education is the achievement of children in subjects like reading , especially among Latino students. Therefore, one of the goals of this institution is to incorporate vocabulary in both languages ​​from an early age .

" The goal is to prepare children to have the best opportunities when they reach kindergarten . We want them to have a solid foundation in English, without losing or neglecting Spanish ," added Melany Arjona, family coordinator.

What is a school day like at La Escuelita?

With 11 years of experience, La Escuelita, located at 212 Gamble St., Davidson, NC 28036, has served 380 children. Each year, they welcome 40 children into their 3- and 4-year-old classrooms.

" Weekly, we have a theme and create different activities in the classroom centers that explore that theme. We have a craft area, coloring and cutting activities, outdoor activities (on the school playground), free drawing, interaction with students, and a 'circle time' where we provide information about the theme ," Pargas explained.

Classes are held in two shifts: in the morning from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and in the afternoon from 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. During the day, children enjoy a dynamic and structured environment, with a 20-minute break to relax and socialize.

" Here at the Little School, the idea is that they not only take away information about the content, but also learn how to behave in the classroom , learn about order and the importance of picking up, cleaning, and taking care of things in the classroom, learn to socialize with friends and communicate with those who do not speak their language ," he added.

The Little School seeks community support

The registration process for the next school year, which begins in September, at La Escuelita Bilingual Preschool is now open. Families interested in enrolling their children only need :

• That the child is 3 or 4 years old before August 31, 2025.
• Children must be toilet trained .
• Stay up to date on your vaccinations .
• Parents must present the infant's birth certificate .

Tuition is $395 per month. However, thanks to the support of donors and sponsors, La Escuelita offers scholarships to help families in need.
They say that securing these funds is a challenge , so they invite the community to join this cause and support the program so that more children can access quality bilingual education. To contribute, visit the following link .