This review is long overdue! We've been part of the Rayuela community for the past five years, and it has truly become more than just a school, it's become our family. Both of our children (who are very different from each other!) have thrived here. It's clear that Rayuela is a place that supports all kinds of learners and personalities. As a non-native Spanish-speaking household, the language aspect was especially important to me. Both of my kids have grown comfortable not only with the Spanish language but also with the diverse cultures that come with it. I'm confident in saying that I have bilingual learners. The teachers are absolutely wonderful and kind. They treat my kids like their own. Even though the school is play-based, both of my children have shown strong academic growth. My oldest was more than ready for kindergarten, and my youngest is on the same path. I can't say enough good things about Rayuela. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a warm, caring community where their child can grow socially, academically, linguistically, and holistically. read more

My son has been at Rayuela for the past year and a half and he is thriving! The teachers are so warm and caring and we love the Spanish immersion combined with the Montessori method. My son's Spanish language exploded, he has made close friends and we have found a wonderful community of parents that we hang out with all the time. Our son never wants to leave when we pick him up (and he's there until 5) because he's having so much fun. He's also learning a ton- singing the alphabet, recognizing letters and he comes home with amazing art. We are excited to send our second son to Rayuela when he turns 2! We feel so lucky to have become a part of this special community. read more

Rayuela is a wonderful play-based Spanish immersion preschool that not only helped our son develop his language and social skills, but also gave us a robust community of dedicated families and educators. From the moment that I heard about the Rayuela Spanish Immersion school, I knew I wanted my son to be part of this amazing community. I was so excited when we were notified we were off the waitlist and offered a spot at their original Altadena campus, just a short walk from our house. Our son attended for two years (until he started TK recently), and over that time Rayuela became so much more than just a school. With Rayuela, we witnessed our son grow from toddler to big kid, we saw his Spanish language skills develop, and we joined a community of children, parents, and teachers with a shared vision of bilingualism and multiculturalism. We also experienced a collective heartache as the campus, our family home, and so much of Altadena were lost to the Eaton fire. Rayuela was there for us in so many ways as we all navigated the immense personal and community losses. Now relocated in Highland Park, Rayuela has shown that community truly transcends physical spaces and we will join them again as soon as our baby is old enough to enroll. read more

We had our oldest son at Rayuela for 2 years and have found the place to be a realgem for young families seeking a like minded community. Our son was already a Spanish speaker but having the support of the Maestras and community has really underscored the importance of having a second language and culture. They've also helped imbue values that we highly appreciate such as a sense responsibility for the environment, care for others, and the importance of mindfulness. To this day, our son practices breathing techniques he learned at Rayuela with his maestras when he's about to have a meltdown. We truly appreciate this place and are so excited to have our daughter join next year. read more

We used Rayuela for summer camp this year and they have been tremendous. My son (3.5 yrs) loves getting ready every morning to attend. The teachers are so thoughtful and engaging and they keep the parents well informed. They have flexible time options which works for our family and they are very communicative through email and calls. Highly recommend for Spanish immersion learning read more

We have had our son at Rayuela for about a year. We've been with them through the fires and everything that came after that. I feel so fortunate to be in this community and in this school. We've made amazing friends and my son has such a wonderful relationship with the teachers and staff. If you have the opportunity to send your child here, you should. read more

Rayuela is a very special school, and I would highly recommend it to anyone! My husband and I wanted our son to learn to speak spanish, and we were lucky to find a place that not only taught him that, but that also follows Montessori methods including 'learning through play' and fosters independence by 'not doing anything for the child that they can do for themselves'. Our son just turned four, and has attended for the last two years, and now he is teaching us words and songs in spanish, can converse completely (with the most perfect little accent), and has also made amazing amigos and learned so much. The director cares deeply for the kids, and goes above and beyond in whatever way she can. Again, I can't recommend this school enough! read more

Rayuela is a true gem of a school and a community. Our son started two years ago and has absolutely flourished with the care, support, and teaching of the extraordinary maestras. He came in with no Spanish skills at all -- we are, as yet, not a multilingual household -- but has learned so, so much; he's recently been reading books to his baby sister in both Spanish and English, which is incredible. He's made good friends and loves school, which is an amazing gift. The parent community is welcoming and kind and dedicated to the school, something that has been critical during this year. I have so much respect and thanks for the teachers and staff who have done so much to create and nourish this special place. Rayuela is a place to play, to create, to learn, and to set the foundation for growing into a good person. We are so lucky to have found it and would absolutely recommend it to anyone. read more

This is such a special preschool! It has been a dream come true for my family and a real diamond in the rough. I have long sought a Spanish immersion program for my children that also aligned with my goals for play-based preschool with many different methodological influences and lots of opportunities for outdoor play. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that we find a place that offers all those and more. They even have a Spanish-speaking ceramicist and yoga teacher! We are so thankful for this school and this community. They constantly go above and beyond. read more

My daughter is 9 and she always had problems with Spanish. That has always been a concern of mine since I'm Mexican and fluent in Spanish. We found Rayuela through friends in the Pasadena/Altadena area and she accepted to go to their summer camp. Now, she feels more confortable talking to me in Spanish and I feel like I'm closing the gap. I hope she can keep on going to Rayuela to improve her confidence in the language. I always tell her how important it is to learn Spanish in California to understand better a culture that is a big part of this land today. Rayuela taught her in an non-traditional way, through games like chess, cooking classes and even salsa dancing. The space is small but well used and the playgound is beatiful and kid friendly. I highly recommend this learning center to all parents who want a second language for their kids. read more

I was interested in finding out prices for the preschool program wanted to find out about part-time and full-time sessions, cost , and what that entails. I've called twice, left my number with office, emailed, as well as filled out the form online, and used messenger to contact them. I have yet to receive any information on their behalf. I'm debating between schools but unable to when I don't have any info. My mommy group added to the conversation and said they experienced the same thing. They don't get back to you, is what I was told. It's sad, I wonder if this is an indication of how they run their school. Must be!!! Disappointing to say the least. read more

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! read more

Rayuela - Wonderful memories from Rayuela. - Language Schools Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Rayuela had provided an amazing educational experience to my son over the course of these past two years. Not only am I grateful for his education, but I am also grateful for the love and care that was provided by the amazing teachers, as well as the feeling of community that was created for him and our family. Due to the support of the amazing Rayuela community, my bi-racial child has been able to learn more about his Latino heritage and has developed the ability to speak Spanish - a language that we are unable to speak consistently in our home. I deeply hope that the Altadena community will embrace Rayuela's mission and allow this little school to expand so that it can serve more families like mine. read more

For years, we have looking for a learning center where my kid can learn Spanish. Recently we found Rayuela, and Spanish Immersion Program in the Altadena/Pasadena area that is working very nicely for my kid. My son have attended classes at Rayuela and he've been attending the center all summer long. We are really pleased with their progress in speaking Spanish. Now we can speak Spanish at home with less ressitence than before. Thank you to Miss Lili, the wonderful director of the program, and the rest of the native staff. We truly value the caring and the effort that they have put onto my kid. At the beginning they understood the language -- both my husband and I are from Mexico -- but they didn't want to speak it. Now, after Rayuela, he feel confident of using it since many kids there speak good Spanish. I hope he gets bigger and better. The space is small, but the playground is excellent and well structured. Congratulations on this amazing project. read more

This awesome little school has been such a gift to our family. The teachers are kind, thoughtful, patient, and so engaging. Our son comes home from school completely exhausted from his rigorous play and mental stimulation. Also, our son's Spanish comprehension and communication has flourished in this immersive environment. As a native Spanish speaker, I'm so grateful for the support this school provides, as we do not speak Spanish consistently at home. I think it's so cool that our son can now speak easily and confidently with extended members of our family in their native language. Finally, I can't say enough good things about the friendships that my son has formed at this school or the relationships we have formed with the extended parent community. Such a great group of individuals. Thank you, Rayuela, for enriching our lives. We love you! read more

My sons have attended Rayuela for 4 years now. My youngest sons, attends Rayuela throughout the week and all may sons attend the entire summer. We have seen improvements in my youngest sons speech, playing, and learning at Rayuela. This is his second full time year at Rayuela. Rayuela helps him developmentally and also helps nuture him like their own son. I could not see sending my son anywhere else where he can learn and be loved at the same time as much as Rayuela. We thank Rayuela for helping to develop our sons. read more

Rayuela - My sons love Rayuela for learning and playing - Language Schools Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Rayuela is such a wonderful community & school for any parents looking for a play-based Spanish immersion curriculum for their preschoolers. We joined in the middle of the pandemic as my daughter had been on the waiting list but my son was desperately in need of interaction with other kids his age the summer before kindergarten. We were so fortunate that they had one space left in the outdoor summer camp for him. My son had a wonderful time and then stayed on through kinder and did a hybrid situation where he'd attend the online classes at his elementary school in the morning and then have time to socialize & play with the kids for the rest of the day. The flexibility, kindness, patience, and true love for children every teacher has demonstrated makes Rayuela so special. It's one of the few Spanish-immersion preschools in northeast LA and I wouldn't hesitate to say it's the best of them all. Both of my children have been afforded an amazing advantage upon entering their dual language immersion programs at San Rafael due to the experience at Rayuela. It's tough to get into now because it's no longer a well-kept secret but they deserve all the success that comes their way. My daughter only has a year left and I'm so sad that we won't be a part of this wonderful community any more. Thank you Rayuela! read more

My son just finished his summer camp with Rayuela and, He couldn't have had a better summer! I have a hard time dragging him to school every morning, but with Rayuela he has no issue. He knows he will have a great time, and so he looks forward on going every day. They had yoga, ceramics, soccer, fields trips to eaton canyon and other local places. All the staff is great and very caring with the kids, aside from also being very knowledgeable in teaching bilingualism. Spanish is a huge thing, and I am must say I am impressed in how fast they get to learn it. It really makes a difference when they learn as they play. Great job to Miss Lili for having this amazing program. Highly recommended!!! read more

My daughter has been enrolled at Rayuela for one year. She is 3 1/2 years old, and I began the search for a Spanish bilingual pre-school a year prior to enrolling her. It was very difficult to find respectable and creditable bilingual pre-school options in the Northeast Los Angeles area, and I was very excited when Rayuela informed me that they had a spot available for my daughter. I heard nothing but praise for the school from other parents who had previously enrolled their children at Rayuela. Fortunately, my family and I have been able to experience firsthand, the love and respect the teachers and staff provide the children on a daily basis. Since her first day, we have noticed tremendous growth and development in the way she interacts and communicates not only with other children but with adults as well. We believe this can be attributed to the experiences she has gained while at Rayuela. The school not only provides daily learnings and activities, but the children often get to explore the world around them by going on field trips and visiting places like the local fire station, pet supply store, grocery store and also popular local destinations such as the Huntington Library, the Acardia Arboretum and the Children's Science Center. I love the amount of attention my daughter receives at this school. They guide her but allow her to explore and become the wonderful little girl that she is! Definitely recommend Rayuela to any parent considering a bilingual education. The school is all Spanish. read more

Rayuela (Spanish for "hopscotch") is an excellent full-time Spanish immersion preschool for the Altadena/Pasadena area. Both my children, ages 3 and 5, have attended Rayuela and we are thrilled and amazed by how quickly they became fluent in Spanish. After just 10 months at Rayuela, my son qualified as a "native Spanish speaker" for admission as a kindergartner at San Raphael Elementary School's highly esteemed Spanish Immersion Program, where admission is quite tough. His initial kindergarten report card noted that he enjoys an "incredible advantage by having such a broad and rich vocabulary in Spanish." My child is just an average kid. Rayuela alone is responsible for this amazing gift. 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. The school also fosters a humane and gentle approach to learning and the world; the instructors emphasize kindness and responsibility and established a loving bond with my children. The learning center is tidy and well-stocked with up-to-date books and supplies. The well-designed outdoor play area has a picnic patio, a brand-new play set and clubhouse, a colorful hopscotch (of course), swings, and a basketball court. The children love it. We are extremely pleased to have Rayuela in the Altadena/Pasadena area, and are grateful that our children have developed their Spanish fluency there. Muchas gracias, Rayuela. read more

The Summer Camp at Rayuela has been a great experience for my little brother. My mother felt that he was losing his Spanish skills, not speaking as much at home even though we are Latinos. I searched for Spanish programs and we found this amazing one in Altadena. My brother is speaking Spanish again at home and he seems to be having a great time during the summer. Qué bueno!! Thank you Rayuela. I recommend this program very much. read more

We are a spanish speaking household and I am always looking at opportunities for my kids to practice spanish. This summer we were looking for a good spanish immersion camp for my 7 years old boy, he had the best time at Rayuela. The curriculum was fun and dynamic, the teachers are native spanish speakers, that really makes a difference. The facilities are kids friendly and you can see love and care in every corner. Is a great option for Spanish Immersion. read more

My daughter attended pre-K from Sep 2015-June 2016 and she loved it! The teachers are passionate and teach with so much love that it is impossible not to fall in love with them too. Play base teaching is perfect for their age and we are so happy with extremely proud with everything she learned there! Thank you maestra Sandra and Lili!! read more

My son was enrolled at Rayuela in a time slot that I didn't like but they kept promising that he can have the time slot that I wanted the next year. I asked and reminded a few times so that I wasn't forgotten about. Then the last month of school before Summer started I got a call that my son wasn't enrolled! I was shocked! When I called the owner back she said that it was my fault. She wasn't apologetic at all and made up reasons that didn't make any sense. I wanted to stay on good standing with her so that my son could at least come to the Summer school, but she was too aggressive with me. During his time at Rayuela the owner wouldn't return my phone calls or my emails. I had to find her when I came by the school or ask one of the teachers to please ask the owner to call me. I tried hard to make this school work and was really disappointed when it didn't. It was also hard on my son to have to change schools. read more

We are very happy with our decision to send our child to preschool at Rayuela. We are not native Spanish speakers at home, but our child is very happy at Rayuela and we have met a lot of great families there from a rich variety of cultures. The teachers are exceptional and they go above and beyond to create fun, creative activities for the children to learn Spanish naturally through play. Language aside, the level of care is great and the teachers are loving and very engaged with the kids in a way that is consistent with emerging theories about education and child development. All of this on top of the fact that the children are gaining critical exposure to a second language and to a body of cultures that are very significant here in LA. Thank you, Rayuela! read more

As a native Spanish speaker with kids who were born in the US we always felt the need to find a great Spanish Program that could be fun and interesting but also, and most importantly, that can teach our kids to read and write in Spanish. We also wanted a place were they could learn a little bit about the Latin Culture. You may think that in California it is obvious that you could find this kind of program everywhere, but after trying many places in different cities around LA, I was really disappointed with the poor options and teaching methods until we found Rayuela. The fact that the owner and teachers are native Speakers with the best credentials really make a difference. Both of my kids love the program and I'm so proud to see how they are speaking, reading and writing in Spanish so well! Great Spanish Program! Highly recommended. Bravo! read more

I love Rayuela, my 7 year old had so much fun this summer, they have a great team, they have different activities like water day, art class, cooking class, hiking day, and the best part is Everything in Spanish!!! I recommend it 100% read more