Rayuela

Rayuela is an excellent full-​time Spanish immersion preschool for the Altadena/​Pasadena area.
Both my children, ages 2 and 5, attend the Rayuela pre-​school day program (hours range from 8 am to 6 pm), and we are absolutely thrilled by their progress in learning and speaking Spanish. After only a few months, my 5-​year-​old boy is now fluent and comfortable in the language! His immersion began in June 2015 at a public preschool, and we then transferred him to Rayuela a few months later in September 2015. We entirely credit Rayuela («hopscotch» in Spanish) with giving him the ease and comfort to speak Spanish. His progress is nothing short of amazing — his Spanish is now equal to his English! My two-​year-​old girl is progressing well, too, as she improves in her understanding of language.
Lili, the school’s director of education, who is from Colombia, has assembled a thoughtful and creative curriculum focused on Spanish language and culture. But the school’s strengths are not limited merely to Spanish-​language immersion; Lili has a background in the Montessori method, and has instituted a program of self directed and creative learning. Children learn freely though hand-​on projects — art, music, cooking, gardening, field trips, etc. It’s quite wonderful when your child, at the end of the day, tells you excitedly in Spanish about his culinary adventure in making a pizza! The school also fosters a humane and gentle approach to learning and the world; the instructors emphasize kindness and responsibility, and have established a loving bond with my children.
For now, the enrollment is delightfully small because the preschool is relatively new (having opened to full-​time instruction only in 2015), but it’s sure to grow as positive word-​of-​mouth spreads. We feel fortunate that our children came in at the ground floor, so to speak, but we’re excited to see enrollment growing. Tuition for the full-​time program is very reasonable. The school is flexible in its enrollment; some children are full-​time (5 days a week, all day); others are part-​time. Pre-​schoolers range in age from 2 to 5. Rayuela also offers after-​school Spanish instruction in the afternoon.
The learning center is tidy and well-​stocked with up-​to-​date books and supplies. The outdoor play area is a bit rustic, and landscaping is sparse, but it’s large enough for spirited play and Lili is working quickly to improve the playground. We are extremely pleased to have Rayuela in the Altadena/​Pasadena area, and are grateful that our children are developing their Spanish fluency there.

We discovered Rayuela Summer of 2015 and after attending their open house, we knew the Summer program would be great for our daughter. Lili is truly a true leader of Rayuela and her vision and love for the Program is wonderful. What is important to our family is a solid curriculum, teachers that care at all times and hours of operation. Lili has done a terrific job hiring a great team, all fluent in Spanish. The curriculum works. . I am a testament that my daughter has learned Spanish from fun and healthy activities. After Summer camp of 2015 ended, we weren’t willing to let go of Rayuela and kept our daughter there for after school care. Thank you RAYUELA. You are one of a kind!!!

Wonderful Spanish immersion center with warm, attentive and highly qualified staff. Our 5 year old daughter and 6 year old son had a wonderful time here over the summer and learned a lot about the Spanish language and Latino culture. Thank you and we will DEFINITELY be back next year!