For over 20 years, YPW Spanish Immersion School has been part of the Westlake community, known for its preschool and early childhood care. Now, owners Monica Moreno and Ramon Aguirre are expanding into elementary education with kindergarten, first grade and after-school programs, offering families a private school with the added benefit of full Spanish immersion. They plan to add one grade level per year through fifth grade.
Curriculum
A typical kindergarten day mirrors what families would expect in any private school: math, science, literature, outdoor recess and circle time. However, here, nearly everything is taught in Spanish.
“The big difference is that ... our [school] will follow a 90/10% model of dual language, so 90% [of the content] is [taught in] Spanish and 10% [is taught in] English,” Moreno said. “For about 30 minutes of the day, [we speak] English to teach students [English] phonetics.”
That ratio shifts slightly in first grade, with 85% Spanish and 15% English. By fifth grade, the goal is a 50/50% model.
“[Our students] will be able to speak both languages and ... read and write in both languages,” Moreno said.
Parents who don’t speak Spanish at home are also supported.
“The books that we start reading in kindergarten and first grade are very easy to read,” Moreno said. “The way that we help our parents is by encouraging them to read those simple books at home. ... In the past, we have offered Spanish classes to our parents, and we are planning on doing the same in the near future.”
Ensuring that both language and culture are taught in the classroom, all teachers are required to be native Spanish speakers. They must also have at least a bachelor’s degree in the subject they teach.
After-school programs
The after-school program has more than doubled since the school’s expansion this August.
“Our full Spanish immersion afterschool program is not just a babysitting program or childcare option,” Moreno said. “Included in the afterschool program, [students] have the option to register for a reading comprehension workshop and also a conversation workshop, both taught entirely in full Spanish immersion. All of this is included in the monthly tuition.”
Families can register their children for one to five days a week, and transportation is provided from the following schools:The program runs from school dismissal until 6 p.m.
Camps
For families who want to explore immersion without full enrollment, camps provide a perfect entry point.
Summer camps are weeklong sessions offered in June and July, combining fun activities with structured learning.
The school also offers spring break camp and other seasonal programs.
Giving back to the community
For the owners, this expansion is about more than just academics; it’s about service.
“We’ve been in Westlake for over 20 years. It’s been rewarding to give back to the community, and this community has been so welcoming,” Moreno said. “We really feel that it’s a privilege to be part of this community. Our children need to continue with their Spanish journey and ... we want to meet and fulfill the needs that they have.”
That journey now has a new home. Kindergarten, first grade and after-school programs are held inside Westlake United Methodist Church, where the community has embraced the school with open arms.
Whether through school, after-school programs or camps, your child can start their journey to becoming bilingual and biliterate. Click here to learn more today.
New location: 1460 Redbud Trail, Austin
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
