Aldea Verde School

How are there not more reviews for this glorious establishment? Luisi (the director) and her dream team are just about the best teachers I’ve experienced. My two sons who are 2yrs and 3.5 yrs both attend Aldea Verde. One on a full time basis and one on a part time basis. When we moved to Austin, TX about a year ago my husband and I went through an enormous list of schools for our boys. We ended up with 12 school and made contact. From there we were able to eliminate most and visited 5 of them between South Austin, Central Austin, and North Austin. Aldea Verde was the furthest North for us but it was absolutely our first pick. Aldea Verde is a brightly decorated house-​turned-​school with a generous back yard.
At first I thought the back yard could use some grass but quickly realized the grass had, long ago, been murdered by the trampling feet of young, elated, Spanish-​speaking children as well as two bunnies and a very funny pig. There is a sand-​pit area with a shade covering over it, a small garden that is constantly being tended to by some little boy or girl, plenty of room to run around with garden carts, and various other fun things for children to be creative with. The children are outside as much as possible which was so important for us. My full-​time son comes home dirty almost every day. A sure sign that he has been allowed to freely explore the back yard and various art activities.
I often walk into the school at pickup time to Gigi sitting on the ground doing science experiments with baking soda and vinegar. Usually 7 or more toddlers and young children are quietly huddled around her taking turns pouring their concoction and various colors into dishes and watching the magic take place. All quiet, all studying the experiment, all deeply interested in the task they are doing. And they are usually a toddler dominated group, my 2 year old included. I’ve never seen anything like it.
While this is going on there are several other children running around playing tag, a group in the sand-​pit with Delia, and Maria watering the garden with another group. There is so much for the kids to do — both independently and as a group. Luisi is usually running between answering the door for parents and caregivers and herding groups of children around. All with a smile on her face, usually singing a song in Spanish, and never stopping. She is a high energy woman with considerable knowledge about what children need to thrive in our busy world. She is endlessly caring and happy. She also has one of the best senses of humor. I truly adore this woman. I think she is luminous and I’m glad she’s running a school where my children are lucky enough to attend.
I receive school emails weekly with photos and a run down of what went on with each class that week. It’s great to know what they’ve been learning about — both of the world and with Spanish language — so that we can talk about the same things in our home.
My 2 year old son doesn’t talk much. When he does it is in English and Spanish. He talks about «La Luna» in the sky when we get out of school at night. We give each other «besos» on boo-​boos and before bed. Long ago, he stopped crying when I left and started running to his favorite teachers for hugs in the morning or finding his two best school friends. I’ve seen him hysterically chasing other kids and sitting quietly studying rocks. I believe he has flourished under the care and teachings of Luisi and her tribe. At times when he’s upset, he is immediately scooped up and hugged or redirected by an educator. I have only seen the group of teachers treat him with respect and love since enrolling a year ago. It’s obvious in every aspect of Aldea Verde School that Luisi pours her heart and soul into it. This doesn’t seem to be a career for this woman. It seems to be a passion. I may so bold as to call it a calling.
I have never been more impressed with a pre-​school. I have no knowledge of something I think they could be doing better with. This school marches to the beat of their own drum and it’s fantastic.
At Aldea Verde I am absolutely sure of these things: I know my child is learning. I know my child has found a community. I know my child is happy. I know my child is loved.
Definitely add Aldea Verde to your list of school to look into when searching for childcare.

Looking for a warm and nurturing environment for your preschooler? Add to that incredible sensory experiences in an outdoor learning environment. Thats what you’ll find at Aldea Verde School. Poncho the pig, rabbits, chickens and who knows what other creatures will enhance your child’s learning in a total Spansh immersion setting. Play is the work of childhood and the Aldea Verde students are working hard at learning through play — cooperation, exploration, discovery and a touch of academics on the side. When your child comes home dirtier than Poncho the Pig you know he’s been hard at work!
(Endored by a Grandmother and Special Education/​Early Childhood Educator)