La Casita Day School Spanish Immersion Preschool in Santa Rosa, CA

We understand that your children are the most important people in your life, and we don’t take that lightly.

Your children are also important to us, as they are the future of our world.

La Casita Day School Team

Meet the Founders

Maria Silva

Chief Academic Officer

Co-Founder

Bachelors of Arts in Mexican American Studies and Liberal Arts from Sonoma State University
BCLAD Certification (Bilingual, Cross-Cultural, Language and Acquisition Development)
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Sonoma State University
Early Childhood Education Course Work from the Santa Rosa Junior College
Bilingual in Spanish and English
Bicultural

Co-Founder: Maria Silva

For years, she dreamed of starting a Spanish immersion school. So when her sister Irene shared her vision, it was a natural step for Maria to co-found La Casita Day School. She saw it as the perfect opportunity to bring her passion for teaching through the arts and language together — creating a program where children learn academic subjects with the arts and through the arts.

Maria is a fully credentialed and highly trained Spanish Immersion master teacher with over 30 years of experience in both public and private elementary schools. As the first in her family to graduate from college, she understands the transformative power of education and has dedicated her life to nurturing young learners.

Her arts-integrated curriculum is thoughtfully differentiated to support each child’s developmental stage and learning style. By applying the “Affective Filter” approach developed by linguist Stephen Krashen, Maria creates a warm, low-stress environment where children feel safe to take risks and learn joyfully.

Alumni parents often report that their children not only meet but exceed California academic standards — a reflection of Maria’s deep expertise, dedication, and the vibrant learning environment she brings to life.

Irene Silva

Chief Executive Officer

Co-Founder

Bachelor's in Economics and a Minor in Communications from UD Davis
Early Childhood Education Advocate
Certified Executive and Personal Coach
Bilingual in Spanish and English
Bicultural

The idea for La Casita Day School began in 2008, when Irene was searching for a Spanish immersion preschool for her one-year-old child. To her surprise, none existed in her area that offered a structured curriculum. As someone who deeply values bilingualism and sees it as a lifelong gift, Irene knew it was essential to pass this on to her child.

Speaking Spanish had helped Irene stay connected to her culture and had been a key part of her success in business. She wanted her child to benefit from those same opportunities. Language is at the heart of every culture — it’s how we communicate, build relationships, create community, and pass on traditions.

Inspired to fill this gap in early childhood education, Irene partnered with her sister, Maria Silva, an experienced Spanish immersion educator. Together, they combined their strengths — Irene’s 30+ years managing small businesses and Maria’s 30+ years in Spanish immersion education — and founded La Casita Day School in 2013.