Let's just say we've been driving to ISLA for nine years, starting with my daughter who is now in…read moreeighth grade when we could've had the kids take the bus from three houses away. I've been a substitute teacher for seven years, I've subbed at ISLA and I've subbed at about about 50 other schools in the Twin Cities metro. This is an amazing school! They have two classes of every grade from kindergarten to sixth grade. They cap the classes at 25 students. They also have a preschool in the building which is convenient if you have younger children. The school has won awards, it's a blue ribbon school and it's an inter-national baccalaureate school. It's a highly rated charter school in the state of Minnesota. They have a library, a gym, and office in the classrooms. It's an office building that was specifically converted to be a school. I did have to take my daughter out after fourth grade because she needed more special ed help. Most charter schools don't specialize in special ed. They'll do their best because they're legally required to provide those services. But we felt she would be better served in her local school district with a larger team to help her out. Your child to be greeted by name by smiling happy teachers and staff and if you know any Spanish, they will be correcting your pronunciation about a month into kindergarten. No regrets!

Our son has been attending Sleepy Tigers since September 2024 and we love it. He enjoys going every…read moreday and some days doesn't even want to come home. All the teachers are so caring with all of the kids. Ma Laoshi and Tili Laoshi are great! He's even picked up on Mandarin super easily and is constantly singing songs he learned at school. We'd recommend it to any family!

We have been attending Sleepy Tigers since our older daughter was old enough and the Chinese…read moreimmersion environment is so enriching! This year, our son really enjoys Zou laoshi, Dion laoshi and Li laoshi. All the kids fit in very well and have a great time learning language and culture along with the usual preschool teachings.

My main issue is that by pre-paying to learn a language (the only way Berlitz operates for in…read moreperson lessons), you have no recourse if the Berlitz method is not one that works for your adult learning style. I found the instructors highly professional and the facility nice. But at my age, literally from minute one, not having the ability to converse in my native language and ask questions not a fit. At all. I would encourage a prospective student who is not a corporate client, to ask if they can sign up for one or two classes to see if it's a fit. Again, the instructors and the method may work for some, but not for my style. I was frustrated and the instructors were too, I'll wager. It was a monstrous waste of my money and time. I found a private tutor who spent as much time as needed explaining in my language and repeating at a slower pace than Berlitz. I made huge strides in less time. Berlitz Method is not for all though they clearly believe it is.

Friendly and knowledgable staff, and professional teachers with tons of experience. After using…read morethe Berlitz Method of teaching, I will never go back to self-study or community ed classes. Really is the only way to truly learn and speak a foreign language!

I was here for the first time recently to see an art exhibit. Four artists were sharing their work…read moredocumenting their travels through France through sketching. The event was held upstairs in a room with amazing views of the Minneapolis skyline. What a fun place! It was full of so much energy on a Sat morning. People were enjoying pastries and coffees from the on-site cafe. I walked through the library and gift shop. I'm so glad I was able to visit and learn about this place. What a fun place to go to practice your French. Adieu!

Beautiful Surroundings, The best I Have Seen And Enjoyed In A Very Long Time…read more Wishful Thinking, If I Could Visit Daily! Thoughts Of Paradise... Donald Johnson

We have loved our experience at Mis Amigos in Excelsior. It's in a great location and the staff is…read moreattentive, organized and gives our children a fun experience. We have been at other Spanish Immersion schools in the metro and Mis Amigos is one of the best we've seen. Grateful for the staff and all they do for our kids everyday!

We moved our daughter to Mis Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool after being at one of those new,…read moreshiny daycares with the modern building and brand-new toys. While that seemed like the "right" choice at the time, we made the switch when Mis Amigos opened, drawn by its proximity to home and my strong desire for our daughter to be in a Spanish immersion program. I'll be honest--I had a lot of fears and doubts at first. Switching schools is a TERRIFYING decision. But now? I am so incredibly happy we made the move. There's so much more we're getting at Mis Amigos that I didn't even realize was missing before. The warmth and dedication of the teachers is next level. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the love, care, and passion they bring to their roles. Teacher turnover is extremely low, and it shows. There's a real sense of family among the staff, and that connection trickles down to the kids--you can see and feel it. Unlike our previous daycare experience, staffing has never been an issue. We've never been asked to keep our child home because of a teacher shortage--rain or shine, they are there. That reliability alone has been such a relief. Another huge difference? Our daughter barely gets sick anymore. At our last daycare, it felt like we were constantly battling colds, viruses, RSV, HF&M, Norovirus, stomach bugs, the works. Since joining Mis Amigos, it's been a night-and-day difference. I credit the smaller size of the school, and the teachers' consistent focus on hygiene--hand washing and sanitizing are clearly a priority and it makes a world of difference. Something else I didn't fully appreciate until we joined Mis Amigos is the food. Not all daycares include food in their tuition, and even fewer offer such a variety--let alone fresh, high-quality meals. Knowing that my child is being served nutritious, well-balanced food every day without me needing to pack lunches or stress about what she's eating is such a relief. It's just one more way Mis Amigos goes above and beyond. Mis Amigos isn't just a daycare--it's truly a school. From such a young age, the children are learning colors, letters, songs, and even how to recognize and express their emotions. The teachers post pictures about what they children are up to, and I've taken ideas home with me on activities I can do to help support her development that I would have not otherwise known to focus on at her age. The schools puts on themed and plays and festivals and the children all have a part and watch and parents are invited. The programming and creativity of activities is wonderful! And if you're worried--like my husband was--that your child might fall behind developmentally because they're in a non-English speaking environment, please don't be. Our daughter speaks English fluently with her peers, understands her teachers' Spanish perfectly, and is now coming home singing in Spanish, pointing out things using Spanish words, and even asking us for their English translations and vice versa. It's beautiful to see how her brain is learning to think in two languages--it's truly a gift we are proud to be giving her. I could rave about Mis Amigos all day. Every teacher is amazing, and the entire environment is one filled with love, learning, and joy. This school has exceeded every expectation and then some--I'm so grateful we found it.