Co-Founders Story
I couldn't ask for a better teacher for my son. She is nice, patient, organized, and professional. My son has learned a lot of Spanish from her.
Sarah Williams - Parent
Maria uses a variety of resources to respond to student's diverse needs. Maintains excellent rapport with students throughout the lesson, while modeling patience and a positive tone.
Blanca Salgado - Parent
Maria demonstrates an excellent ability to communicate with both her students and parents---and provides lessons that enable her students to connect their learning to prior knowledge and life experiences.
Ken Saltzbert - School Principal
La Casita Day School day was one of the best educational experiences for my daughter. The warm family environment with a small student to teacher ratio resulted in my daughter learning to read, write, and speak. If you are interested in your child learning about Latin culture and how to speak Spanish, I would greatly recommend La Casita Day School.
Jana Rojas - Parent 2013 Program
About Us
The Vision Behind La Casita Day School
The concept for La Casita Day School originated in 2008 from the personal experience of our co-founder, Irene Silva. She struggled to find a Spanish immersion preschool for her own child and was surprised to discover that none existed in her area with a structured curriculum. There she was, with a list of preschools in Sonoma County, going from program to program, engaged in an exhausting research project. Growing up with a sister who was a creative and talented Spanish immersion kindergarten teacher, Irene knew the importance of a structured and engaging curriculum. It was crucial for her child to speak, read, and write in Spanish fluently, not only to meet the needs of the growing Spanish-speaking population in their county but also to ensure a strong connection to her Mexican culture.
Determined to address this gap in the market, Irene collaborated with her sister, Maria Silva, to establish Sonoma County's first Spanish immersion preschool center. It was easy to inspire Maria since it had been her dream for many years to have her own school where she had the freedom to create and tailor the education to each child. With Irene's 32+ years of experience managing small businesses and Maria's 32+ years of experience in Spanish immersion education, La Casita Day School was founded in 2013.
A Humble Beginning and Growing Demand
La Casita Day School started in Irene's little casita (house) in 2013 with an 8-student license. The response to their innovative approach was overwhelming, with over 100 families reaching out to the school within the first year, vying for just eight available spots. This enthusiastic reception served as a clear indication of the strong demand for their program. On a very special day, September 29, 2022, their father's birthday, Irene and Maria opened their preschool center at 4044 Mayette Ave, Santa Rosa, CA, honoring their father, Miguel Silva Garcia, who had passed away in 2002. Miguel had immigrated from Mexico through the Bracero Program, a series of laws and diplomatic agreements initiated in 1942, which allowed Mexican laborers to work in the United States on short-term, primarily agricultural labor contracts. Miguel's hard work ethic, which he instilled in his daughters, was a significant factor in helping Maria and Irene persevere through the seemingly insurmountable challenges of starting a preschool center in California.
STREAM Training and Expertise
Maria Silva's expertise in STREAM (Science, Technology, Relationships, Engineering, Arts, and Math) dates back to her experience with the California Mini-Corps (CMC) Program, a statewide initiative designed to provide direct instructional services for migratory students in grades K-12 through a cadre of trained college tutors. These tutors, who were migrant workers themselves at one point or another, brought a unique perspective and dedication to their roles. Through her involvement with CMC, Maria was trained in STREAM before it became widely recognized. The CMC program encompasses two major goals:
1. To provide direct supplementary tutorial services to increase migrant student academic achievement through a cadre of trained college tutors.
2. To develop a cadre of future bilingual-bicultural, credentialed teachers better equipped to work with migrant students.
Our STREAM Program
At La Casita Day School, we are proud to offer a STREAM program that goes beyond traditional early childhood education. Our STREAM curriculum is designed to foster a love of learning in multiple disciplines while promoting bilingualism. Through hands-on activities and interactive lessons, our students thrive in an environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.
Our Commitment to Excellence
By focusing on these key areas, Irene and Maria were able to effectively respond to the demand and successfully scale La Casita Day School. Today, our school continues to uphold the values and high standards that Irene and Maria envisioned. We are committed to providing an exceptional educational experience that prepares our students for future academic success and nurtures their cultural awareness and fluency in Spanish.
Join us at La Casita Day School and discover the difference a Spanish immersion preschool with a STREAM program can make in your child's life.
