Yak Academy is the BEST and I MEAN IT!!! My Son begs to attend school seven days a week. He has thrived not only personally but academically while attending YAK . The staff is caring, loving and nurturing ,all of the ingredients needed for our little humans to THRIVE. My son is currently participating in the trilingual program Spanish, French & Mandarin. My family has noticed such a difference in his confidence, speech and mannerisms while attending YAK. Look no further for an immersion program for your little angels :-) read more

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This isn't just a school or after school program. Ms. Blanca makes it so much more than that. It's a labor of love for her and teacher Ms Maria. Ms. Blanca goes out of her way to embrace each kid and support each family-providing extra guidance and instruction where necessary. They will support your efforts to immerse your kid in a new language and prepare for the dual language programs in the South Bay. You couldn't ask for a better program or experience read more

Yak Academy is an amazing language immersion school! They helped my daughter learn Spanish, which helped her get into a dual immersion school. My daughter is now taking Mandarin and absolutely loves all of the teachers. read more

Yak Academy has been nothing short of amazing for our family. From preschool days to now afterschool enrichment classes plus holiday and summer camps, our kids have had so much fun here. Ms. Blanca and Ms. Maria are loving, engaging, and truly gifted at creating memorable experiences. You can feel how much they care about the kids and it shows in everything they do. We absolutely love all the seasonal art projects and celebrations at Yak Academy. From trick-or-treating and the school Thanksgiving meal to the magical Polar Express Christmas day (that my daughter in 3rd grade still wishes she could skip school to attend), everything is done with so much care and creativity. The silly St. Patrick's Day fun, the Easter egg hunts, the Spring concert, and the beautiful graduation are all memories our family will cherish forever. Our kids adore them and we couldn't be more grateful for everything they do. We've watched our children grow in confidence, creativity, and develop a love for Spanish. read more

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Love them here SO much! Especially Blanca! Very down to earth & is like a wonderful family community with the kids! Forever grateful that I found them! read more

My two children have been attending Yak programs over the last 5 years. The teachers are engaging, fun and my kids always leave with huge smiles. Blanca, Maria and the Yak community clearly love what they do and go above and beyond, always! Yak offered quality (and FREE) immersive preschool programming during Covid lockdown that helped my daughter test into a dual immersion elementary program the following year. My first grade son just completed a session of the new weekly art classes being offered in the evening; and from the lobby I could hear him talking away and joking in Spanish. We have tried many of Yak's programs and continue to be impressed and returning for more. Whether for preschool, summer camp, or Spanish language support for dual immersion students; look no further! read more

We love the Yak Academy! Our 6 year old has been attending the Yak Academy and everyday that he goes he returns home happy. It's the perfect combination of learning a language while playing. He's become more confident with speaking Spanish and has made friends as well. The staff is very knowledgeable, kind and extremely patient. I don't know how they do it but they are Amazing! read more

We absolutely adore Yak Academy. Our daughter started attending at the age of 2 and now by 5 I can say she speaks Spanish. Our 3 year old is thriving and looks forward to going whenever she gets the opportunity. Yak is like a family and you feel that your child is loved and in amazing hands. I honestly couldn't imagine my children going anywhere else. The teachers are kind and incredibly good at what they do. Gracias Yak Academy! We are so grateful to you for helping our daughters on the language journey. You are the best!!! read more

I can't believe how fast the children learned in just an hour class. This place is a true treasure. The teachers are very creative and attentive to the children. They captivate them and the children are so excited to learn. The teachers here are a true joy full of knowledge and experience. I highly recommend this school. read more

YIKES!!! We had a TERRIBLE experience at Yak. I found Yak based on their stellar Yelp reviews while looking for a Mandarin class for my 4 year old. it took 5 days and 2 messages for my phone call to be returned. This is fine, but I wondered what would happen if I enrolled my son and needed to speak to someone. Anyways, I set up a trial class for my son. On the day of our class, the teacher did NOT show up until at least 15 minutes past the start time of class. This was alarming, but I understand that sometimes car emergencies/accident on the freeway can cause this type of thing. Before I left my son, I made sure with the lady at the front desk that my son would have free access to the bathrooms because we had made fresh squeezed juice in the morning. He drank a lot of liquid, and I knew he would have to pee. She confirmed that he would be able to go use the restroom as needed. The reason I am giving Yak Academy 2 stars is because the teacher (when I observed her) did seem engaged with the children, and I could hear her speaking Mandarin. She also was definitely not a clockwatcher considering class did not end on time. We had to pull our child out before class ended (at the time it was supposed to end) because of plans with friends. I am glad we pulled our son out of class when we did because my son was in pain. He was having a potty emergency. My husband ran him to the toilet just in time. He told us he tried to go to the potty during class, like the front desk lady told us he could, but the teacher prevented him from going and told him that he could not open the door under any circumstances until class was over. I asked him if he told her it was a potty emergency. He said, "I was too scared, and she would have said no because she told me I could not leave for any reason until class is over'. Remember, my son is 4. Instead of being mortified by the teacher showing up late, Cassandra (the nice front desk lady) asked me if I had any questions about registration. I expect a business to address the above issues like this... "I am so sorry about the mishaps today. This is not the way our school is usually run. Please come back for another free trial on a different day, so you can get a real sense of our program. Today has been a disaster!" Since nothing came close to this response, I am assuming this IS the way this school is run. I will say Cassandra was receptive and apologetic when I told her my son was in pain during class holding in his pee, and that the teacher would not let him out of the class. I made it crystal clear that this is not a program that we would ever consider given how our trail class went. Bottom Line: I just enrolled my son in Sing In Chinese, which he LOVES!!! The first thing he said when leaving Yak was, "I like the singing Chinese school. I want to go there." read more

Both of my children go to this school. I have an 18 month old and a 3 year old. We do the mommy and me class for my little one. Teachers Maria and Blanca are wonderful with my daughter. My 3 year old goes 3-4 times a week for Spanish classes and is now speaking Spanish to me at home. She loves Carina and Maria. The classes are immersion based and my daughters are both flourishing. The things I love: - The immersion based program - Play based learning - The topics covered (numbers, letters, colors, five senses, seasons, holidays, days of the week, etc.) - The way the kids move through the building throughout the day (minimizes the opportunity to get bored in one location) - The use of music and physical activities to keep kids engaged - The kindness of the staff in supporting me in my own endeavors to learn Spanish I used to be frustrated with the administrative aspects of the school, but since new ownership has come in (Blanca Bastian), I have not had any problems. Responses are timely, my questions are answered, the staff is respectful and I don't feel like I'm getting the runaround. Also, the front desk staffers have changed for the better. :) read more

This last summer, Yak got a new owner, Blanca Bastian. She has been teaching at Yak for years and is intimately connected to the Spanish-speaking community in the South Bay. My 2-year-old daughter *adores* her. I am not exaggerating when I say Miss Blanca has as much energy as my active little girl. She is unstoppable! She is warm, open, kind, and fun. She's also done an amazing job at outreach. Yak has really stabilized and grown since she took over. The other Spanish teachers are fantastic as well. They are all gems. A quick example: I recently enrolled my daughter in the transitional-twos preschool program one day a week. She was experiencing a little separation anxiety. Miss Blanca noticed that she loves dolls. So she brought an entire collection of American Girl dolls and outfits from home! My daughter was thrilled and overcame her anxiety on the spot. This type of thoughtful concern has made us feel completely welcome and special. Another hidden gem: Yak's Spanish zumba class on Tuesdays at 4:30 pm! If your child likes to move, this is an *awesome* way to sneak in a dose of Spanish immersion, while s/he is rocking out. My little girl looks forward to this all week. read more

Our daughter was in the Spanish Preschool program for a year before we had to move out of town and we couldn't have been happier. She was so happy everyday she went there, quickly started to say some Spanish words at home and loved every teacher. We did too! We felt so welcome from the minute we arrived there. I would really recommand this school to any parent that want their kids to be in Spanish immersion, for the language and also the culture. A wonderful experience! read more

I am a former Spanish Teacher at Yak Academy. I've taught there from 2006-2010. Unfortunately, I had to part ways as an instructor to pursue my personal academic goals. Yak Academy integrates fun play-based immersion, world-class native speaking instructors, and a unique environment of learning to create a powerful and effective world language experience. Yak Academy has recently been acquired by new owners (The Bastian Family), who have been loyal patrons of the school. Miss Blanca is actually one of the Spanish Preschool Teachers. I believe that the overall mission of the school -- to Build World Citizens, has been met in the past, and will continue to do so. All of the instructors, both past and present, create a fun and nurturing environment for children to learn. I now bring my daughter here for Spanish mommy and me classes and she loves it!! So, if you are interested in Language for your children, schedule a free trial and get to know owners for yourself. I'm positive that Yak Academy will make a first good impression from here on out. read more

Yak Academy is a great little school! Our daughter is enrolled in the mandarin immersion program and is learning very well. She really likes the school and her teachers. I get the impression the teachers really like working there, too. Everyone is always friendly and welcoming, lots of smiles. The kids learn in what I would call a playful way and seem to have lots of fun. I often wait until the classes are over, working on my laptop in the small lobby. I have yet to see a crying child, which In my opinion equals a little miracle. The kids don't get "drilled", disciplined or coerced into learning, as we have seen happen while touring other schools (to the point where it felt like we stepped into some authoritarian institution in Beijing). But I digress: What's important is that our daughter is always happy to go to Yak Academy. She's having fun while learning and is always cheerful when she comes out of the classroom. I personally can't think of anything more to ask from a school. P..S.: The healthy, vegan food options nearby are a bonus if I have time to go for a snack. read more

I cannot simply put in words how HAPPY we are to have our daughter at the Yak Academy. Our daughter first went to Yak when she was about 1 and 1/2 years old. She did the Mommy and Me Spanish Class on Saturday mornings. Her teacher was Ms. Maria and she is AMAZING!!! She is patient, helpful, and very kind. The class used play activities to teach the students Spanish. Currently, my daughter is in the Yak Academy Preschool program, specifically immersion bound. The immersion bound program has really helped my daughter increase her Spanish speaking ability. This program is really meant to help the students get ready to test for Spanish Immersion Programs. The students get a lot of one-on-one time with the teacher, and they are very informative about where your child stands. All the teachers and the director are extremely nice and accommodating. They are very informative and really communicate everything going on at school with your child. They really treat all the kids like they are their own. I also like that the class size is small so each student really gets a lot of time with the teacher. My daughter will be going to Kindergarten but I will continue to keep her at the Yak Academy for Spanish classes because our family has really bonded with the teachers and director. I want to continue to support the Yak Academy and its employees! WE LOVE YAK!!! read more

I cannot say enough positive things about this school. Our daughter was enrolled in the Spanish immersion class for two year-olds and absolutely loved her time at Yak Academy. She also learned a whole lot of Spanish. Every one of the teachers that we encountered made real efforts to connect with the children. They also adapted their styles to the learning needs of each child, which is a feat considering these are two year-old children. The smiles that I'd see when picking my daughter up testified to the rapport the teachers had with the students. Ms. Selene and Ms. Blanca were particularly welcoming and helpful. In short, the people here make it an amazing place. read more

My son is learning so much Spanish at Yak Academy preschool. We are so happy with how warm and loving the teachers are. As a former teacher myself, I am well-aware of how much time and preparation goes into their daily lesson plans, and I can tell you the teachers are always well-prepared with adequate and fun lesson plans. I really appreciate seeing the art work and work sheets he brings home everyday that reflect his progress. Whether you want your child to become fluent in Spanish or just have exposure to the language, Yak Academy is a solid choice. read more

My kids just started at Yak (2 1/2 & 7). They have such a good time and the teachers are fun as well as attentive. It's a nice change of pace for us because we are currently doing online school at home. This is a safe and fun environment for my kiddos. We go once a week, but hope to amp it up once they have more openings! I really like that they are flexible with the kids and don't force them into activities in which they may not want to participate. There's always something to do at Yak and everyone is happy! read more

We love yak academy! My son attends the Spanish immersion preschool and loves going to school. Mrs Blanca and all of the teachers are amazing. We get pictures and video updates all the time that we love watching and sharing with our family. There are so many fun activities daily that the kids don't want to leave. They do water play, dance classes and even bounce houses for special occasions. My sons Spanish has gotten so much better since attending yak, he responds in Spanish almost all of the time even when not at school. So happy we found this school! read more

My kids have been taking Mandarin here since they were a little over 2 years old and it's great! Parents have to be in the class until your kids turn 3 (which is great if the parent is not a native speaker - I have learned quite a bit myself). After they turn 3 you have to wait outside, but my kids still love it. Classes are 45 - 60 minutes long and offer some freeplay, snack time, art time, singing, dancing...you get the gist. The teachers and manager there are really sweet & so is the director/owner (Marie). They offer quite a few languages and several class times are available so it was easy to fit into our family's schedule. Not super cheap but what is nowadays. Definitely worth it! Also, they offer a free trial class so there is nothing to lose. Check it. read more

I love Yak Academy and was thrilled to see it go under new ownership this summer. The native language teachers have always been great in the past. I know it will grow and prosper under the new management. My daughter and I started taking Mommy & Me classes when she was 2 and I loved being in the classroom learning Spanish with her. She loved the activities, snacks and songs; I loved learning a little Spanish myself. When she was 4 she attended preschool there 2 mornings a week and was quickly picking up words while "playing". She learned so much and loved going. I didn't realize just how much she learned until we enrolled her in Spanish Immersion Kindergarten. My husband and I do not speak Spanish. The first week of Kindergarten the teacher said she tested the highest in the class on knowing her colors, shapes, days of the week and counting etc.. The teacher said she had a perfect Spanish accent and assumed she had learned Spanish at home. She is fluent in Spanish now and has started taking Mandarin classes at Yak also. They always offer free trial classes so you can check it out. read more

We ADORE Yak Academy! The teachers have such an incredible amount of enthusiasm and energy -- they are absolutely amazing! Our daughter loves to go to Yak and teaches her stuffed animals Spanish when she gets home from school. We've been impressed by her comprehension of the language over the past year. More than anything else, though, the environment and the love of the teachers and staff make it perfect place to learn. Ms. Blanca is so welcoming and deals with issues in the kindest, most professional and intelligent way possible. We really appreciate her help in navigating the 'terrible twos!' read more

Ok, my first review on Yelp. I asked them how I can help spread the word about Yak...so, I literally created an account to support this awesome program. Yak Academy is an incredible school run by a woman named Blanca and supported by excellent and caring teachers. Both my kids have had classes with Mrs Maria and Karina whom we also love. There is another teacher that teaches Zumba for kids which is super fun. I have had two children in their program over the last 5 years taking Spanish. My daughter is also now learning French...she wanted to spend more time there. Most importantly, as a father, safety is always my number one priority. I could not feel safer to leave my young ones in the care of Blanca and her team...they are like family to us now. Seriously, could not trust anyone more. From an education standpoint, both my kids by the age of 3 spoke more Spanish than I ever would have expected and are now bilingual. The kids have FUN and they are learning new languages while singing, dancing and doing art projects. We also love that the kids get to experience families from many different cultural backgrounds. Yak has accommodated birthday parties for us and they go all out for holiday decorations. If you are a parent looking to provide your kids with a safe environment, where they can play, challenge their brains, and interact with other kids, then Yak Academy is really a great choice. read more

Yak has been an amazing place for my three kids! They have learned so much and they have grown to love language! I feel so lucky to have found Yak and love how much fun my kids have there. read more

Our twin boys have been going to Yak Academy for a few months now. We have signed them up for another year because it is a fantastic place. Their Spanish has gone from quite good to incredible, to the point where I need to improve my own Spanish. Our Twins (Gremlins) love all the teachers. They are always happy to go to school and are ready for school 30 minutes before we leave every morning. Miss Blanca, Maria, Patty and Selene are such pleasant and helpful staff. They are fun, professional and super engaged with the children. The amount of effort they all put into the classes and the myriad of extracurricular activities is astonishing. Our children will be fluent in no time and will be starting French immersion in the near future. We are super appreciative of all they do for our children. Miss Blanca even text us videos and photos of our kids during the first week which helped put our minds at ease. We recommend this School to anyone. Thank you Yak Academy. read more

My daughter attended Yak for about 1.5 years, plus summer programs. When she started she spoke no Spanish (or English). Miss Maria and Miss Blanca were so amazing as the first month of morning hand offs were hard. Not only did my daughter end up loving Yak, but she tested successfully for two Spanish immersion schools and is now an almost native Spanish speaker. We can't say enough about Yak, their efforts, sweetness, preparation for kinder and child development. Thank you Miss Blanca and Miss Maria. read more

Both my kids went here in their preschool ages for Spanish, and after school in elementary school. What a great foundation it set for them it provided in learning another language. Great staff, many of the teachers we had are still there! If you are looking to give your kids an intro to another language, whether you speak it or not, it's a great place to take them in the South Bay. read more

Both my kids go to this school and we love it!!! The teachers are wonderful, kind and loving! They treat your kid as if they were their own. My eldest was a bit of a challenge at the beginning and still is at times but they have always been great with him and helped him grown and learn. Teacher blanca is simply amazing and we are glad we found this place!!! read more

My daughter has been attending YAK Academy since she was in preschool. She is now in third grade and still attends Spanish and French class. She speaks both languages without an accent and is part of a very special community. The teachers and family's are all fabulous. read more

My daughter LOVES coming to this school and learning spanish in a fun,loving & playful way ! so thankful to have found this wonderful language program. read more

We are having so much fun in Spanish! I can honestly say my 5-year-old is learning more English because she is learning Spanish at the same time. I am seeing it cross over in her vocabulary and reading. She is headed into Kindergarten this year and we are sticking with Yak Academy after-school weekly classes to continue her second language exposure. The team at Yak is amazing! Thanks! read more

We moved our daughter from a local preschool to YAK Academy 3 days a week for Spanish Immersion Preschol, and we could not be happier we did. Every time my wife or I picks up my daughter, she is so happy, and we comment on how wonderful all the teachers are. They make learning a new language so much fun! Our 7 year old also takes an after school class 1 day a week, and believe it or not, he actually looks forward to spending 2 hours after school at Yak Academy. They care about kids, and it shows on the faces of all the kids! read more

Now that Yak Academy is under new management, the center is really flourishing. Blanca is the most amazing teacher. My kids absolutely adore her. I started the mommy and me classes with my daughter when she was two and eventually put her in the pre-school there as well. My daughter started kindergarten this year at a Spanish immersion elementary and tested into the program as a "native speaker." She understands everything the teacher says, which is pretty amazing considering my husband and I don't speak the language. Yak provided a great foundation for my daughter and not to mention the teachers and staff are wonderful! read more

My 6 year old daughter has been attending the Saturday morning enrichment class for about 2 1/2 years. I wanted to expose her to Spanish at a young age so that Spanish is wired into her brain without having to think about it. She is not a native speaker and Spanish is not spoken in the home so I am just letting her have fun in class without any pressure from me. She thoroughly enjoys the class so much so that she would rather get up early Saturday morning to make it to class rather than sleep in thereby missing the class. She has fun every Saturday morning because it's play-based. I love all the Spanish instructors. read more

My son has been attending Yak Academy weekly for the past 2 years. He has developed a strong foundation of Spanish language at only three years old. We are so happy with everything about Yak. The staff is kind and knowledgeable, they offer great camps, and they do an amazing job teaching Spanish! read more

Yak Academy's enrichment classes are geared toward raising bilingual kids, which is what I was looking for. Through the use of toys, songs, arts and crafts, my child continues to learn new vocabulary every week. He has plenty of fun while absorbing new words and concepts in a welcoming and warm environment. read more

Yak Academy is a great school. Both of my kids started at 18 months in the mommy & me Spanish enrichment class. If we lived closer I would have sent my daughter to 1-2 days of preschool too. The teachers are wonderful. I highly recommend this school to anyone in search of a language school for their children. read more

What an amazing environment to expose your toddler to languages. My daughter Grace has been taking Spanish class since 20 months and just loves Miss Blanca. The teaching style is fun and educational. Miss Blanca keeps the kids engaged and the class moving - highly recommend this class. read more

We've been coming to Yak Academy since my 6 year old was 6 months. I now have both my children attending Spanish enrichment courses. They LOVE it and are learning so much. Teachers are all friendly and energetic. Great place to consider if you are looking for a language school in the South Bay! read more