Mi Escuelita Preschool

Mission/History

Mi Escuelita Preschool is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1978 with the mission to teach English to children from all cultures and prepare them for academic success. While remaining strongly dedicated to the preservation of each child's cultural heritage, Mi Escuelita's primary focus is to provide a safe, secure, and nurturing environment where non-English speaking preschool-aged children receive a strong educational foundation, ensuring success in both school and life. 

For over 45 years, Mi Escuelita has provided an exceptional preschool education experience to thousands of low-income families and children in the Dallas community. Using English language immersion and a research-based curriculum, Mi Escuelita meets the needs of children whose native language is not English and engages them in daily math, science, reading, music, and art activities. Because 90% of brain development is complete by age six, children are at the ideal age to learn and master a second language. Our specialized approach prepares them for long-term academic success and helps them master the English language, while preserving and respecting their culture at home.  

Mi Escuelita Preschool is known for its superior early childhood education program and its reputation for providing high-quality, low- to no-cost services to students, parents, and the community. Three of its four sites are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The organization works in partnership with Head Start of Greater Dallas, the Dallas Independent School District (DISD), and is a United Way of Metropolitan Dallas service provider. In the 2024-2025 school year, Mi Escuelita will operate four preschool campuses, serving 298 students in a full-day program for children ages 18 months to 5 years from diverse backgrounds.

Statistics 

Studies show that children who enter kindergarten prepared, are three times more likely to read on grade level in the 3rd grade, a benchmark directly related to a child's likelihood of graduating high school. The need is even greater for English Language Learners (ELL) and low-income children. In 2019, The Commit Partnership reported that over 65% of low-income children and 62% of ELL were not meeting 3rd-grade reading standards – statistics notably greater than their higher-income, English proficient peers. 

Children who are English language learners (ELLs) comprise a large, diverse, and growing student group in U.S. schools. They often face systemic educational challenges rooted in language, race, class, and nativity. These students are disproportionately likely to be children of color and disproportionately likely to be growing up in low-income households. Without early intervention, English language learners (ELLs) are at a higher risk of dropping out of school than other students. 

Our Solution 

Mi Escuelita Preschool’s mission is to teach English to children from all cultures and prepare them for academic success. Mi Escuelita Preschool strives to combat these staggering statistics and close the educational gap by ensuring that low-income and ELL children have access to high-quality, full-day preschool. Our programs are designed to ensure that children are equipped with the language and educational skills needed to successfully transition directly into the English-speaking school system and be successful throughout their formal education. Children who participate in high-quality, full-day preschool programs are more likely to be kindergarten-ready, meet 3rd-grade reading standards, and pursue higher education. Ensuring access to services must also be addressed, not only for the benefit of the child, but also for the benefit of the community, as these programs are linked to reductions in crime and improved economic outcomes.

Our Need

For each student served, there is a funding gap that must be filled through corporate, foundation, and individual support to cover the cost of providing preschool services to low-income children. Support through North Texas Giving Day will help bridge this gap and cover essential program expenses. By partnering with us, you can help ensure that disadvantaged children receive the quality preschool education they need for future success.