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Contact
Rebekah Gomes
El Nido de ISLA Director
651-362-6742
rgomes@isla.school
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 3.5 years up to 5 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.
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten
Voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) is a publicly funded prekindergarten program that supports children and their families for success in kindergarten and beyond. The funding allows school districts and charter schools with Minnesota Department of Education-recognized early learning programs to incorporate a VPK program into their E-12 system as a new grade level.
A child who is 4 years old by September 1 in the calendar year in which the school year begins is eligible to participate in VPK or SRP. Each eligible child must complete a health and developmental screening within 90 days of program enrollment and provide documentation of required immunizations.
To participate in VPK, all children who meet the age requirement are eligible to participate free of charge. In the 2024-2025 school year, El Nido offers 10 Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten spots which are allocated by lottery, with preference given to students who both meet criteria listed below and have a sibling at ISLA.
To participate, a child must meet the age requirement and also meet one or more of the following risk factors:
● Qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch.
● Is an English learner.
● Is homeless.
● Has an individualized Education Program (IEP) or interagency intervention plan.
● Is identified through health and development screening with a potential risk factor.
● Is in foster care
Our Mission:
To empower the whole child by nurturing the development of personal growth, strong character, academic excellence, and global vision.
Program Highlights
- Ages 3.5 years to 5 years
- Year-round programming available
- Full Spanish immersion
- International Baccalaureate Early Years Curriculum
- VPK program offering
- Play-based learning
- Effective student/teacher ratios
- Full day pre-K
- Lunch, snacks and dedicated rest time 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 students 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
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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).
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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
Enrollment Details
Operating Hours:
7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Monday to Friday
Summer programming available!
*times subject to change for the 2025-2026 school year
Key Requirements:
- Children must be at least 3.5 years 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
Ready to Join Our Nest?
Step 1:
Fill out our online application.
(applications closed as of February 15th, 2025)
Step 2:
We will email your family the following information:
- Parent handbook
- Enrollment forms
- Brightwheel information to make your application deposit
All policies, procedures, and tuition information can be found in the handbook.
Step 3:
Families will set up a Brightwheel account, make the application deposit, and return all enrollment forms to reserve a spot in El Nido.
Here is what you will need in order to enroll:
- Enrollment forms
- MN Language Survey and Ethnic and Racial Demographic Designation Form
- Health care summary and Immunization form
- Early Childhood Screening summary
After we receive your enrollment forms and deposit, we will contact you to discuss next steps.
We look forward to meeting your family!