Where Learning Feels Like Home

When you step into a 1st or 2nd grade classroom at Amistad, the first thing you notice isn’t a lesson on the board or a list of objectives. It’s the feeling of belonging.

Student artwork fills the walls—each piece unique, each voice honored. Children gather on the rug, leaning in as they listen to one another, practicing patience, curiosity, and care. The classroom hums with focus and connection as students move between reading, writing, problem-solving, and collaboration throughout the day.

At Amistad, learning is active and shared. Students are encouraged to ask questions, explain their thinking, and support one another. They learn that making mistakes is part of the process and that growth happens best when everyone feels safe to try.

Our dual language program is woven naturally into daily classroom life. As students build literacy and academic skills in Spanish and English, they also develop strong cognitive flexibility, confidence, and empathy. They learn how to express ideas in more than one way—and how to listen closely when others do the same.

Community is at the center of everything. Classroom agreements, created together, remind students how to treat themselves and one another. Whether they are organizing classroom materials, working in small groups, or sharing reflections, children practice responsibility and collaboration in meaningful ways.

Books line the shelves, inviting students into new stories and perspectives. Learning extends beyond desks and worksheets into conversations, creativity, and moments of discovery that feel joyful and personal.

This is what learning looks like when children are known, supported, and challenged with care. It’s academic growth paired with social and emotional learning—rooted in connection, culture, and respect.

At Amistad, classrooms are more than places to learn. They are places where children grow into thoughtful learners and caring members of a larger community—one day at a time.