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Rebekah Gomes
El Nido de ISLA Director
651-362-6742
rgomes@isla.school
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El Nido de ISLA is a tuition-based, Spanish immersion early learning center which opened in the fall of 2021 in Edina.
We are proud to have 2 classrooms welcoming ages ranging from 33 months up to 6 years.
El Nido is one of the only pre-k programs in Minnesota to offer both full Spanish immersion and an International Baccalaureate Early Years Programme.
Bienvenidos! Welcome to El Nido.
Make sure your child is ready for kindergarten.
Here at El Nido, which is Spanish for "nest," we believe every child is born with wings—small, feathered possibilities of potential.
Our purpose and our passion is to help little learners strengthen those wings so they can take flight and soar—not just inside the classroom, but also throughout this beautiful, complex world. We do this every day through play, exploration, discovery and mentorship.
El Nido de ISLA is a play-based Spanish immersion learning center that encourages and develops learning through each child’s natural curiosities and interests. Experts agree that by learning through play, children find education to be a positive and joyous experience.
Our focus on this philosophy forms the core of our curriculum. A typical school day includes activities and experiential learning that foster not only intellectual development, but also social, emotional, and physical growth. We use the Creative Curriculum as well as Heggerty Phonemic. Awareness Programming to ensure our students have a well rounded education.
By encouraging children to explore, imagine, and create, our teachers, in turn, enhance and develop each child’s critical thinking skills, creativity, and ability to express themselves.
Offering both year-round and school year programming, El Nido structures classes and activities to facilitate the growth of important social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and respecting the rights of others. As children progress through our program, they gain the social, emotional and intellectual skills needed to spread those wings and fly boldly toward their own lifelong journey of learning.
We look forward to adding your family to our family—and our little nest of nurturing and growth.
Our Mission:
To empower the whole child by nurturing the development of personal growth, strong character, academic excellence, and global vision.
Program Highlights
- Ages 33 months to 6 years
- Year-round programming available
- Full Spanish immersion
- International Baccalaureate Early Years Curriculum
- Reggio Emilia-inspired approach
- Play-based learning
- Effective student/teacher ratios
- Full-time and part-time options
- Lunch, snacks and dedicated rest times included
- Well-rounded curriculum that meets Minnesota's Early Learning Standards
Did You Know?
"El Nido" means "The Nest" in English.
Our Approach
Whole Child Development
We strengthen not only children's academic skills, but also their mind, spirit and social connectedness.
We empower and equip kids to be:
- Kind
- Confident
- Open Minded
- Critical Thinkers
- Socially Conscious
Multi-Layered Learning
Just like a real bird's nest, our program at El Nido stands sturdy and strong because it has been carefully crafted with three layers to learning. Explore the layers in detail below.
El Nido's Three Layers to Learning
Full Spanish Immersion
Research in language education has shown the immersion approach to have a very positive impact on learning not only in the acquisition of a second language, but also in the development of English language skills and several higher level skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving.
At El Nido your child will be fully immersed in the Spanish language throughout the learning experience. Even our specialist classes, including music, art and physical education, are taught in Spanish.
IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) understands that pre-k students are intelligent, resourceful and creative individuals who grow, develop, and learn at different rates (IB, 2015).
As a PYP accredited pre-k program, El Nido de ISLA follows that same line of thinking. Children need to explore their nearby surroundings, learn about their environment through play and through interactions with their peers, teachers, and family. Exploration and inquiry is a key concept both to the IB program and the immersion classroom.
Current pedagogical theory outlines the clear need for an enriching, engaging, early years experience. The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme has a well-developed Early Years Learning methodology which aims to provide just that: a holistic learning experience that integrates socio-emotional, physical, and cognitive development, through play, inquiry, and discovery (IB, 2015).
Reggio Emilia-inspired Approach
El Nido de ISLA is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy of education that originated in Northern Italy. The philosophy is an approach to teaching, learning and advocacy for children.
At its core, the Reggio Emilia approach is a way of teaching by observing what children know, what they're curious about, and what challenges them. Teachers record these observations to reflect on developmentally appropriate ways to help children expand their academic and social potentials. Long term projects connect core academic areas in and out of the classroom.
El Nido de ISLA incorporates several elements of Reggio Emilia while still embracing the unique cultures and perspectives of each teacher, child, and family.
Did You Know?
El Nido is located inside ISLA's newly renovated campus in Edina near Hwy 494 and 100! The address of our new home is:
5350 West 78th St., Edina, MN 55429
The new campus is bright, playful, and packed with space for discovery and learning.
Everyday Learning at El Nido
El Nido de ISLA is a play-based Spanish immersion learning center that encourages and develops learning through each child’s natural curiosities and interests. A typical school day includes activities and experiential learning that foster not only intellectual development, but also social, emotional, and physical growth.
Our well-rounded curriculum aligns with MN Standards and includes:
- Literature/Art
- Science/Math
- Dramatic Play
- Music/Movement
- Block Play/Manipulatives
- Outdoor Play
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Enrollment Details
Full Time Option:
7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Monday to Friday
Part Time Option:
7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
2 or 3 day part time options available
Year-round programming available!
*times subject to change for the 2024-2025 school year
Key Requirements:
- Children must be at least 33 months old at time of enrollment
- Children must be able to use the bathroom independently prior to entrance in the program
- Parents are responsible for transporting children to and from El Nido
- As outlined in Minnesota Charter School Law, enrollment in El Nido does not guarantee future enrollment in the K-6 program at International Spanish Language Academy (ISLA).
Ready to Join Our Nest?
Step 1:
Fill out our online application.
Step 2:
We will email your family the following information:
- Parent handbook
- Enrollment forms
- Smartcare parent portal link to make your application deposit
All policies, procedures, and tuition information can be found in the handbook.
Step 3:
Families should set up a Smartcare account, make the application deposit, and return enrollment forms to reserve a spot in El Nido.
Here is what you will need in order to enroll:
- Enrollment forms
- Emergency contacts
- Health care summary
- Immunization form
After we receive your enrollment forms and deposit, we will contact you to discuss next steps.
We look forward to meeting your family!