Get to Know Us
About Esperanza Spanish School
Esperanza Spanish School was founded with the vision of creating more than a childcare center or preschool. We wanted to create a place where children are fully immersed in the Spanish language, celebrated for who they are, and encouraged to become confident, compassionate, curious, and lifelong learners.
Our mission is to provide high-quality Spanish immersion early childhood education in a nurturing environment where every child feels safe, loved, respected, included, and excited to learn each day. We are committed to offering families a program that is academically meaningful while still protecting the joy, creativity, exploration, and wonder of childhood.
Today, Esperanza proudly operates four campuses serving more than 100 families throughout Washington and Yamhill Counties. We provide care and education for infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and school-aged children through our preschool, summer, and after-school programs.
Our schools are built around meaningful relationships. We believe families are a child’s first and most important teachers, and we work closely with parents to support each child’s individual development. We want families to feel welcomed, informed, supported, and truly connected to their child’s school community.
Esperanza is more than a school. It is a community where children develop a strong sense of belonging, families build lasting relationships, and educators are passionate about helping every child reach their fullest potential.
Our Educational Philosophy and Curriculum
Our educational philosophy is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, which views children as capable, curious, and intelligent learners who construct knowledge through meaningful play, hands-on exploration, creativity, collaboration, and relationships.
At Esperanza, we have always implemented The Creative Curriculum using Reggio Emilia-inspired teaching practices. This allows our teachers to observe the children’s interests, ask thoughtful questions, and create intentional learning experiences that support each area of development while keeping children actively engaged in the learning process.
For our infant and toddler classrooms, from approximately 6 weeks through 3 years old, The Creative Curriculum serves as the foundation of our program. Teachers provide developmentally appropriate experiences that support language, cognitive development, physical development, sensory exploration, social-emotional growth, attachment, independence, and early problem-solving skills.
Beginning in September 2026, our preschool classrooms for children ages 3 through 6 will combine The Creative Curriculum with the Estrellita Accelerated Beginning Spanish Reading Program.
Estrellita supports bilingual early childhood teachers by providing a clear methodology and concrete strategies for teaching beginning Spanish reading. It strengthens children’s early skills in lectoescritura, mathematics, and science, while helping them build a strong academic foundation in their primary language.
Research has consistently shown that children who first learn to read in their primary language have a greater likelihood of succeeding when they transition into reading in English. Children learn the process of reading only once. Once they develop decoding, sound recognition, comprehension, and foundational literacy skills in Spanish, those skills can transfer as they begin reading in English. They do not need to relearn the entire reading process in a second language.
Our goal is to help children become confident, capable bilingual learners while honoring and strengthening their Spanish language development.
Passionate Educators, Dedicated Partners
At Esperanza Spanish School, our teachers are more than instructors; they are co-learners, researchers, and guides on your child's educational journey. Each member of our team is chosen for their deep passion for early childhood development, their fluency in Spanish, and their commitment to our constructivist and STEAM-focused approach and philosophy. They create a warm, respectful, and stimulating atmosphere where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.
Our educators are dedicated professionals who participate in ongoing training to stay at the forefront of early learning. They masterfully blend language immersion with child-led inquiry, documenting each child's progress and partnering with families to ensure a seamless and supportive experience.
Nannies and Babysitters
Modern families often need reliable care that can adapt to changing schedules and responsibilities. Esperanza’s nanny and babysitting services extend our educational philosophy into the home through trained, bilingual caregivers. Our caregivers do more than supervise children. They engage them in conversation, creative activities, play, exploration, and age-appropriate learning experiences. Everyday routines become opportunities to strengthen Spanish language development, independence, curiosity, and connection. Families can feel confident knowing their children are receiving attentive care from individuals who understand Esperanza’s values and approach to child development.
Flexible Plans for Every Family's Needs
What Makes Esperanza Spanish School Care Different
- Esperanza Spanish School collaborates with local organizations such as Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District and specialists like Engineering Kids Portland and Little Tweets Music to create rich, hands-on learning experiences. Our students engage in projects such as:
- Exploring the four seasons and their environmental impact through outdoor sensory activities that connect children to nature.
- Studying the ecology of beavers in Beaverton by examining habitats and collaboratively building model dams.
- Learning about native Oregon birds, their songs, and behaviors to deepen awareness of local wildlife.
- Investigating dinosaur extinction theories through storytelling and scientific inquiry, fostering historical and analytical thinking.
- Recognizing animal and plant footprints through observation and creative arts, sharpening attention to detail and natural patterns.
- Engaging in tactile exploration of plant structures to heighten sensory perception and cultivate respect for the natural world.
- These thoughtfully designed experiences reflect our dedication to providing an innovative, culturally responsive, and engaging curriculum that builds meaningful connections between children, their communities, and the environment.
Learning to Make a Difference
We believe education should help children understand that they are part of a larger community and that their actions can positively affect others. Through our connection with Sonrisas de Amor in Guatemala, Esperanza supports efforts that provide educational and developmental opportunities for vulnerable children. This relationship introduces our students and families to compassion, generosity, service, and global citizenship. These experiences help children understand that communities may be separated by distance while still remaining connected through empathy and a shared responsibility to care for others.
We’d Love to Meet Your Family
Have questions about our programs or want to learn more about the Esperanza community? Our team is here to help you find the right care and educational experience for your child.
Locations
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