Intiwasi's strength is its diversity
We believe that diversity is our strength. The word diversity is tossed around a lot these days, but lntiwasi showcases the true power of the word.
We know that when people from all walks of life come together, we can create something truly special. That's why we strive to create an inclusive community where everyone can feel welcome and valued. We believe that this diversity makes us stronger and more creative, and it allows us to better serve our families and the community.
Celebrating the diversity of
Family
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and we believe that our community should reflect that. We are committed to being an inclusive environment, both culturally and financially. Whether a family is affluent or needs tuition aid, we want everyone to feel welcome here.
Language
At lntiwasi, we believe that 100% Spanish immersion is the best way to learn the language. We place an emphasis on second language acquisition and proficiency at an early age. In particular, we offer a Spanish immersion program with a concentration on oral communication. We believe that the best way to learn a language is using it. For this reason we strive to maintain a 7:1 (preschool) and 9:1(elementary) student-teacher ratio to guarantee a personalized education that promotes the use of Spanish in the classroom.
Our educators come from all over the world, and bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge from various cultures. When you enroll at lntiwasi, you'll have the opportunity to hear accents from a wide variety of Spanishspeaking countries, including Peru, El Salvador, Mexico, and Argentina. These variations not only expose them to different dialects, but also open the door for discussions about the many cultural differences between each country.
Why Bilingual Education matters
Bilingualism is an experience that shapes our brains for a lifetime. Research has shown that students who can speak and write in many languages outperform their monolingual peers. The benefits of early immersion in a second language are too many to list! Here are just a few:
- Critical thinking
- Linguistic proficiency
- Intercultural understanding
- Increased intelligence
- Problem-solving capacity
- Mental flexibility
Bilingual education is important for several reasons. First, it helps students to develop a better understanding of both their native language and the new language they are learning. Second, bilingual education can help students to better prepare for college and careers in a global economy. Finally, bilingual education can help to promote understanding and respect for other cultures.
Education
lntiwasi is a Montessori-based education center that borrows from Reggio and project-based learning as well. We allow children to take the lead, with educators acting as guides along the way. We are aware of the demands of an ever-changing world so we are always updating our classrooms, and lessons, and training our staff to stay updated with new developments on how to improve the learning experience for our students. And because we believe that socialization and collaboration are important aspects of childhood development, we also come together as a group to learn and explore new things. Our teachers are passionate about what they do, and they create safe and loving spaces for every child to grow and learn.
Our Learning Approach
Our eclectic approach to education promotes growth both academically and personally. We are proud of our all-encompassing learning approach that allows our students to graduate from our school with a high level of Spanish proficiency, and linguistic competence, and exceed state academic requirements. In addition, our program offers a deep understanding of Latin culture to our students, enriched by our diverse staff.
What is the Montessori philosophy?
Dr. Maria Montessori said, "Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world." Montessori's education is a unique and effective approach to learning that has been proven to work for children of all ages. The Montessori method is based on the philosophy that all children are born with a natural desire to learn. This means that Montessori classrooms are designed to provide an environment that is conducive to learning, with materials and activities that are carefully chosen to meet the needs of each individual child. Montessori education is characterized by its focus on hands-on learning, and small class sizes.
The Montessori method has been shown to be particularly effective in helping children to develop strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Additionally, Montessori students typically score well above average on standardized tests and go on to be successful in college and beyond. Within the Montessori philosophy, students are introduced to thorough knowledge in many areas including art, music, history, language, mathematics, biology, geography, and physical education. Learners are encouraged to engage in multi-sensory learning, using spirited inquiry and curiosity. Students are given the space and time needed to understand each concept thoroughly and meet their own learning goals.
What is the Reggio philosophy?
The Reggio philosophy is an educational approach that emphasizes the role of the child in their own learning. It is based on the idea that children are active and capable learners who are constantly constructing their own understanding of the world around them. This approach values the child’s natural curiosity and creativity and believes that all children have the right to a rich and stimulating learning environment. The Reggio philosophy also places a strong emphasis on collaboration, both between children and between educators and parents. This collaborative approach supports the idea that everyone involved in a child’s education has a role to play in their development and learning. This type of learning is believed to promote deep understanding and provide children with the skills they need to be successful in the 21st century.
Project-based learning?
Project-based learning is a teaching method that emphasizes real-world problem-solving. Students work on projects that are relevant to their lives and the world around them. This type of learning is often more engaging and motivating than traditional methods. Project-based learning is an excellent way to prepare students for the future. This type of learning gives students the opportunity to develop important life skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork. Additionally, project-based learning can help students learn how to manage their time and resources effectively.
Steam: What is STEAM and Why is it Important?
Picture it. A world without life-saving medicine. Or clean water. Or food to eat. A world with dwindling resources. With no solutions. It’s not that hard to picture, right? Because those very things are happening in many places in our world. And for many, it can feel like there’s no answer to these problems. But that’s not true. Because there’s hope. It’s called STEAM.
And our kids are the key. STEAM is the abbreviation for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math. It’s an integrated approach to learning that encourages students to think more broadly about real-world problems. This interdisciplinary approach has helped create innovations like the iPhone, the original laptop computer, and is even revolutionizing cooking in third-world countries, and improving air quality as a result.
It helps students:
- Ask questions
- Connect the dots
- Problem solve
- Think creatively
- Be innovative
Not only can STEAM save the world, but it can also save our kids by making their future bright.STEAM jobs are expected to grow by 16% in the US between 2014 and 2024 compared to only 11% for other sectors*. And right now, science & engineering careers earn more than double the income of the median job in the United States.* Despite this, math performance in US students is faltering and STEM graduates are dropping out of their fields. And let’s not even get started on some of the inequities for women and minorities….So how do we fix this? Start young. Let’s work together to get more STEAM education into elementary schools. Because without improving STEAM education in our schools, the US is going to fall behind in the global technology race. And with that goes the potential for our children’s futures.
Experience
In the classroom, we follow a diverse set of techniques to promote students' critical thinking, linguistic proficiency, and intercultural understanding with a high emphasis on science and art. At Intiwasi, we believe in building a deep sense of community, and we are committed to establishing a collaborative and caring learning community where parents, families, and teachers have many opportunities to interact and build bonds.
Beyond the classroom, we offer extended hours, after-school enrichment activities, and camps. These diverse experiences help us better understand our students and their needs, while also building a stronger sense of community within the school.
- Personalized Education - Tailored to the specific needs of each child. We see students as individuals and understand that they all learn differently. In the classroom, we aim to personalize our students' learning experience through experimenting and exploring with a wide array of projects, tools, and hands-on materials. We approach learning through thematic units that allow students to learn new Spanish vocabulary while acquiring new skills.
- Small class size - Giving your child the attention they need. We strive to create a safe nurturing space with small class sizes. We provide a pod-like environment where children can grow and develop from their early years until elementary. We aim to give our students the opportunity to create long-lasting relationships and bonds with teachers and peers. We strive to maintain a 7:1 (preschool) and 15:1 (elementary) student-teacher ratio to guarantee a personalized education that promotes the use of Spanish in the classroom.
- Our school - A home away from home. School should be a place where every student feels welcome, supported, and encouraged. A place where students have access to amazing classrooms, new cultures, inspiring teachers, and limitless opportunities. At Intiwasi, we take pride in serving the Los Angeles community and providing this environment for our students.
Nutrition
lntiwasi is committed to providing students with nutritious and culturally diverse meals. We believe that food should be a source of enjoyment and exploration, and we are dedicated to offering a variety of items that reflect the rich cultures of our community.