OUR MISSION

We build community and leadership through educational Spanish language and cultural immersion programs.

OUR VISION

We envision an equitable society strengthened by the power, knowledge, and value of Latin American languages and cultures.

ACTIONS

Give primarily low-income, Spanish-speaking students the opportunity to gain literacy skills in their native language of Spanish

Lessen the academic opportunity gap between Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino students

Support students as they learn about their Latin American cultural heritage and navigate their own unique multicultural experiences

Provide Spanish-speaking parents access to resources to raise happy, healthy, bilingual families

Bridge the gap between Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino communities through a shared interest in the Spanish language

OUR STORY

+700

Students

+800 Hours

of Spanish Language & Cultural Immersion classes

7 Programs dedicated to  bilingualism, cultural immersion & equity

+14

Countries

+1800 Hours

Volunteers

+70 Videos

In Youtube for Kids

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Hispanic / Latino students make up
25% of school populations.

Hispanic/Latino students have the
highest drop out rates.

Hispanic and Latino students face racial, linguistic, and cultural discrimination. Many of these bright students internalize these external prejudices and see their bilingualism and multiculturalism as a disadvantage.

Why Spanish Immersion?

1

The curriculum includes strategies based on the Hispanic/Latin American educational model that incorporates the stories, traditions and geography of Spanish-speaking countries into each lesson.

2

Having a teacher of the same race/ethnicity as the student has a positive effect on student achievement, teachers’ behavioral assessments, graduation rates, and college enrollment

3

Studies have shown that literacy skills gained in Spanish are actually transferable to English and any other language a child speaks.

SAY HI! TO
OUR TEAM

Susana Benites
Co Executive Director
susana@laislaschool.org

Josue Cordova
Co Executive Director
josue@laislaschool.org

Cindy Salazar
Education Programs Manager
cindy@laislaschool.org

Alejandra Sandoval
ISLA PADRES Program Manager
alejandra@laislaschool.org

Alex Sabala
Fundraising and Event Coodinator
alex@laislaschool.org

JJ Richardson
Resources Development Manager 
jrichardson@laislaschool.org 

Tanjira
Volunteer Coordinator
volunteers@laislaschool.com

BOARD MEMBERS

Dayson Pasión
President

Jennifer de Lima
Vice President

Alma Rosa Chanelo
Board Member

Jessica Pasión
Board Treasurer

Rafael Fulton Fernandes
Board Member

Mildred Rodriguez
Board Member

Ingeborg Garcia Westphalen
Board Member

                   Guadalupe Arce                             Board Member

                Ricardo Ekmay                  Board Member

OUR SPONSORS


Our conference Sponsors