Meet Spanish Immersion Early Learning Academy!

The Story Behind Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion Early Learning Academy

Alma Flor Ada’s Spanish Immersion Early Learning Academy program is like no other! Our learning environment features a hybrid of early childhood, Spanish Immersion and school readiness programing. Learners will have high quality academic exposure to Spanish language and culture; and social-emotional engagement that will help prepare them for their future success as scholars in the 21st century. Also, we believe that through learning another culture, one may better learn to appreciate and value their own culture.  The wonderful promise and value of Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion Early Learning Academy is that we nurture and empower children to flourish in a multicultural environment enriched by Spanish Language.

The academy is named after the distinguished author, Dr. Alma Flor Ada who has been a tireless advocate for bilingual and immersion programming.  Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion Early Learning Academy will serve children ages 30 months to Kindergarten. The Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion program will use research-based learning methods to empower students to explore, discover, and advance their own learning. Our native Spanish speaking teachers and staff will engage and excite children through language, authentic culture, and an inquiry-based STEM curriculum.  Through a culturally enriched learning environment, your child will begin to gain the foundational skills necessary to navigate an increasingly diverse and interdependent global society. At Alma flor Ada Spanish Immersion Early Learning Academy (AFA), your child will learn that others may relate to the world differently. Providing your child with the gift of a second language will open a world of possibilities unimaginable by their mono-lingual peers. We look forward to welcoming you to the AFA community and partnering with you in this most important and foundational step of your child’s learning and development.  Tu familia es nuestra familia – Your family is our family!

Woodbury Residents take action!

Lucilla Davila is the founder of Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion Early Learning Academy and as a parent and resident of the City of Woodbury, Lucilla wanted a Spanish Immersion program for her two children, Sophia and Johnny. Fifteen years ago, there was not a similar language immersion option in Woodbury.  It was not until several years after her children entered school, that a small strand of Spanish immersion was established. As it was in high demand, the result was a huge waiting list and unfulfilled demand for residents.

Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion Early Learning Academy developed out of a passion to create the program that did not exist for Lucilla’s children and hundreds of others in the Woodbury community.

 In 2019, Lucilla encountered other Woodbury residents and friends that shared her desire to create an authentic Spanish Immersion experience for the children of Woodbury and the surrounding communities. It may have been too late for her children but as a long-time resident of Woodbury, she wanted to give back. Greg Shultz, CEO of Gaskets Studios—a long-time Woodbury resident experienced a similar frustration in finding a quality Spanish immersion program for his children. As a result, Lucilla and Greg have collaborated to bring the vision to the community along with Gloria Alarcon-Bustamante, formerly of Woodbury and now a resident of Lake Elmo; and Juliana Capdevila, a current resident of Woodbury to create the Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion Early Language Academy.

Agencies partnering with Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion Early Learning Academy:

• Village Bank
• MEDA (Metropolitan Economic Development Association)
• Woodbury Chamber of Commerce
• City of Woodbury
• Founders 3 Real Estate Services
• Private Investors
• Heritage Construction Companies, LLC
• Progressive Architecture, LLC
• Gasket Studios, LLC (Greg Shultz, CEO of Gasket Studios and his team), have been instrumental with all our branding, website, social media and advertising.
• HappiGreat Group, LLC (Nestor Gonzalez & Ivan Fontanez- Directors), Production, Signage, 3D virtual tour creation and customized playground
• Patagonia Visual Solutions, LLC (Gustavo Rosso), photography and video
• Woodbury OffiCenter
• KS95 Radio Station (Morning show with Crisco, Dez & Ryan)

Visit our website at: afaSpanishImmersion.com
Email:       Hola@afaspanishimmersion.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AlmaFlorAdaSpanishImmersion
Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/almafloradaspanishimmersion/