Business Details
27 Years
experience
Award-Winning Bilingual Preschool in Charlotte
Founded in 1999, Charlotte Bilingual Preschool has pioneered innovative, two-generation approaches to early childhood education for Spanish-speaking children. Our mission centers on preparing young learners for academic and lifelong success through dual-language instruction, family empowerment, and community partnerships. With a two-decade legacy, we leverage culturally responsive methodologies like Reggio Emilia and Creative Curriculum to cultivate bilingualism, literacy, and cognitive development. Our 5-star licensed program integrates occupational therapy, speech therapy, and family counseling on-site, eliminating barriers to holistic growth. Recognized by the North Carolina Division of Child Development since 2014, we maintain a 93% program fidelity rate while achieving measurable outcomes: 78% language proficiency growth and 87% literacy improvements in 2023-24.Partnerships with Smart Start and Alliance Center for Education expand our impact across Mecklenburg County, supported by a team of certified bilingual educators. As a nonprofit led by CEO Ana Silva Rey, we combine local leadership with global perspectives to address educational inequities, evidenced by our MECK Pre-K Academic Growth Award in 2024. Our workforce development initiatives create sustainable career pathways in early childhood education, while free ESL programs and family workshops reinforce multi-generational learning. Through continuous innovation and community collaboration, we remain committed to advancing bilingual education equity for Charlotte's growing Latino population.
Services
Preschool Programs
Family Engagement
Workforce Development
Creciendo Juntos
Dual Language Curriculum
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- Awarded Top School for Academic Growth in 2024 by MECK Pre-K
- Achieved 93% program fidelity rate far exceeding 80% goal
- Partnered with Smart Start since 2014 as NC's highest-rated preschool
- Offers free ESL courses and workforce development for family advancement
- Provides on-site bilingual therapy services and family counseling
Associations and certifications
- Smart Start of Mecklenburg
What people say
Academic growth leadership
Culturally responsive curriculum
Free family ESL courses
Award-winning staff
Workforce development pathways
Services
Preschool Programs
Our 5-star dual-language preschool programs prepare children for kindergarten through Reggio Emilia-inspired teaching and Creative Curriculum. Two bilingual teachers per classroom facilitate English-Spanish literacy development and social-emotional growth. Continuous assessment ensures 78% language proficiency improvements, maintaining our status as Mecklenburg's top academic growth preschool since 2014.
Family Programs
Family Cafs, workshops, and Creciendo Juntos initiatives empower parents as first educators. Culturally tailored activities build home learning environments while free ESL courses enhance parental English proficiency. On-site family counseling services and employment training create multi-generational educational pathways within Charlotte's Latino community.
Workforce Development
This program trains bilingual educators through college partnerships and apprenticeships. Participants earn certifications while gaining classroom experience, with 100% qualifying as lead teachers post-program. Spanish-language coursework and foreign degree validation support equitable access to early childhood education careers.
Creciendo Juntos
Weekly Spanish-language development workshops teach parents infant-toddler engagement strategies. Ten-week sessions include replicable home activities that improve early cognitive skills. Led by experienced educators, this program strengthens home-school connections for long-term educational success in Charlotte's Latino families.
Dual Language Curriculum
Research-backed language instruction develops proficiency in English and Spanish through immersive play-based learning. Our 78% language growth rate exceeds state averages by cultivating biliteracy while preserving cultural identity. Certified bilingual teachers use formative assessments to personalize instruction for every child's developmental needs.
People
Ana Silva Rey
Chief Executive Officer
Mexican-born leader with 25 years in educational equity, advocating for Latino communities since arriving in Charlotte in 1998. Prior leadership roles include Latin Americans Working for Achievement and Carolina University Board of Trustees. Appointed CEO in 2024 to advance bilingual education access.
Ester Duff
Director of Home Based & Workforce Development
Guatemalan-born administrator overseeing family programs and career training initiatives since 2019. Develops partnerships with local colleges to create accessible pathways for bilingual educator certification within Charlotte's Latino community.
Iggy Austin
Director of Family Programs
Venezuelan educator with 12 years of experience connecting families to bilingual resources. Manages Creciendo Juntos workshops and coordinates community engagement efforts to strengthen home-school partnerships.
Yessenia Henriquez
Senior Workforce Development Coordinator
El Salvador native leading apprenticeship programs since 2017. Specializes in foreign credential validation and English language support for aspiring educators seeking NC teaching certifications.
Marta Duran
Principal & Site Administrator
Costa Rican early childhood expert overseeing daily operations at the Highland Ave campus. Implements Reggio Emilia methodologies across classrooms while mentoring teaching staff since joining in 2005.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We provide programs for 3- and 4-year-olds through regular preschool sessions and MECK Pre-K partnerships.
Are your programs free?
Yes, we offer free 5-star dual-language preschool programs supported by state and private funding partnerships.
How do you support family involvement?
Through Creciendo Juntos workshops, Family Cafés, free ESL courses, and volunteer opportunities that engage parents as education partners.
Can I get teaching certifications through your programs?
Our Workforce Development Program provides bilingual educator training with college partnerships and paid apprenticeships leading to state certification.
What special services are available?
We provide on-site bilingual speech therapy, occupational therapy, and family counseling services at no additional cost.
How are you improving educational outcomes?
Our 2024 award-winning model demonstrated 78% language growth and 87% literacy improvements through culturally responsive bilingual instruction.
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