HOW CAN I REGISTER MY CHILD TO ATTEND THE PINEAPPLE SCHOOL?

Enrollment opportunities depend on availability at your preferred campus, your child’s birth date, and age. If there is availability, you can secure the spot for your child by paying a one-time, non-refundable Registration Fee of $250 by phone or in person. If there is not availability for your child, you may add your child to the Waiting List at your preferred campus.  

HOW CAN I ADD MY CHILD TO YOUR WAITING LIST, AND HOW DOES YOUR WAITING LIST WORK?

The Waiting List fee is currently $35 per child. To secure your child’s spot on the waiting list, please submit your non-refundable payment by phone or in person at your preferred campus.

Siblings of currently enrolled students and siblings of former graduates of The Pineapple School are given priority on the Waiting List; thereafter, applicants are considered in order of the date the Waiting List fee was received. Based on this, we recommend that you add your child to our Waiting List as early as absolutely possible.

Call now to reserve your spot on the waiting list:
North Central campus (210) 694-0740
Stone Oak campus (210) 967-3432
Camp Bullis campus (210) 749-3102

WHy should my child learn a second language now?

Research proves that the ability to learn a second language is highest between birth and the age of six. After this window, there is an inevitable decline. Older children and adults may still manage to learn new languages, but with greater struggle. During the early childhood years, and especially in the first three years of life, the foundations for thinking, language, vision, attitudes, aptitudes, and other characteristics are established; thus, it is an ideal time to introduce a second language.

what are the benefits of acquiring a second language at an early age?

There are many benefits of learning a second language at an early age:

• Young children are less self-conscious about speaking a second language. They tend to be less inhibited by the fear of making mistakes.

• Children enrolled in foreign language programs score statistically higher on standardized tests conducted in English. A number of reports have demonstrated that children who have learned a second language earn higher SAT scores, particularly on the verbal section of the test.

• It is widely believed that as we get older, our natural ability to reproduce new sounds starts to decline, making second language acquisition slower and more difficult. A child of three is much better able to reproduce sounds, and acquire the vocabulary and structures that make up a language than an adult of 30.

• Communication in a second language requires higher degrees of conscious attention, thus stimulating brain development. Research shows that learning a second language boosts problem-solving, critical-thinking, and listening skills and improves memory, concentration, and the ability to multitask.

• Children who are exposed early to other languages display more positive attitudes to the cultures associated with those languages. The experience of learning a language introduces them to the world in ways they might otherwise have not experienced.

• Contrary to popular belief, young children are not confused when exposed to multiple languages at the same time. Children are naturally able to navigate multilingual environments.

• Acquiring a second language early in life grooms the brain for learning multiple other languages, opening a world of opportunities for later on.

• Children proficient in more than one language show signs of enhanced creativity and mental flexibility.

• Younger children will be able to develop a more native-like accent. (This audio file features a student singing a song in Spanish. Though she is from an English-speaking household, her accent developed beautifully during her five-year immersion experience at The Pineapple School. Have a listen.)

WHY SPANISH?

In cities from coast to coast, the use of Spanish is proliferating in ways no other language has before in U.S. history — other than English of course. Individuals that speak English and Spanish no doubt have employment advantages in the US and global job marketplaces.

In a city like San Antonio, where the Spanish-speaking population is one of the largest in the nation, fluency in Spanish gives children and adults the opportunity to communicate with and learn from their neighbors.

MY CHILD DOESN’T KNOW ANY SPANISH. HOW WILL HE SURVIVE THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS IN AN ALL SPANISH ENVIRONMENT?

Most of our teachers speak both Spanish and English and will guide children that are new to the program and the Spanish language by offering communication in both languages (Spanish first, then the English translation) for the first couple of weeks. We also encourage our students to help their new friends as they adapt. You will be surprised how quickly the little ones start to pick up their first Spanish words.

Does THE PINEAPPLE SCHOOL PROVIDE PART-TIME CARE?

While we recognize that different families have different needs, The Pineapple School is no longer accepting new applicants for part time programs.

Students that attend The Pineapple School on a full-time basis (five days a week) feel a stronger sense of belonging and are more connected to their peers and teachers. This helps cultivate a sense of family and togetherness in the classroom and optimizes the environment for growth and learning. Furthermore, our weekly lesson plans are designed and planned to cover five days, with activities building upon previous day’s work. Finally, and of equal importance, we know that maximizing exposure to the second language best supports language acquisition in children.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS OF OPERATION?

The Pineapple School is open from 7:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. Full days of instruction and hands-on learning begin at 8:30am with Morning Circle Time. Children arriving before 8:00am enjoy a light breakfast and productive, age-appropriate activities in the classroom.

HOW WILL MY CHILD BE PREPARED FOR KINDERGARTEN IF HE/SHE IS LEARNING IN SPANISH ALL DAY, EVERY DAY?

At The Pineapple School we teach children the concepts they will need for Kindergarten. Because concepts and skills learned in one language transfer to the second language and that exposure to experiences rich in two languages is an advantage for the developing child, our students are more than adequately prepared for Kindergarten. Additionally, we send parents a weekly newsletter outlining concepts covered and practiced each week so that parents may reinforce at home in English.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY CHILD TO BECOME FLUENT IN SPANISH WHILE ATTENDING THE PINEAPPLE SCHOOL?

It is difficult to answer this question because every child is different, and every child has a unique way of learning. Regardless of the time it takes your child to learn to speak Spanish fluently, the exposure to the language and culture that he/she receives at The Pineapple School preps the brain for early and rapid acquisition of Spanish and other languages.

WILL MY CHILD FORGET THE SPANISH LEARNED AT THE PINEAPPLE SCHOOL ONCE HE/SHE STARTS GOING TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL?

Once your child goes to elementary school, we encourage parents to find opportunities for continued exposure to the Spanish language. However, if your child should start to forget words and phrases, fear not; the learning pathways in the brain are already established and can be easily retrieved later in life.

WHERE ARE THE PINEAPPLE SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM? WHERE DID THEY LEARN SPANISH?

It is our goal at The Pineapple School to build a dynamic team of teachers that represent several different countries, cultures, and walks of life. Our teachers are from Mexico, Central and South America, and the United States.

DOES THE PINEAPPLE SCHOOL ACCEPT CCS?

At this time, The Pineapple School does not accept CCS.

DOES THE PINEAPPLE SCHOOL offer a military discount?

The Pineapple School participates in Child Care Aware of America, which provides assistance for qualified military families in locating, selecting, and offsetting the cost of child care.

DOES THE PINEAPPLE SCHOOL offer a discount for siblings enrolled?

Families with two children attending The Pineapple School receive a 10% discount on the tuition of the oldest child enrolled. Families with three children attending The Pineapple School will receive a 25% discount on the tuition of the oldest child enrolled and a 10% discount on the tuition of the second oldest child enrolled.

when does pineapple school close?

The Pineapple School operates on a year-around calendar, through the summer. The School closed on major holidays, the week of Christmas, and two additional days for in-service training.

New Year’s Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
4th of July
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after
Christmas Holiday Break (typically a 5-day closure)
2 Scheduled Staff In-Service Days (President’s Day & the last Friday before the academic school year begins)

Families wishing to withdraw their children during the summertime, for the duration of our Summer Program, may do so by paying a re-registration fee of $100 per child before April 1 of the current year. This option is not available for infants (0-18 months).

What is the PINEAPPLE SCHOOL’s immunization policy?

Each child enrolled in The Pineapple School must meet applicable immunization requirements specified by the Texas Department of State Health Services. A copy of the child's current immunization records will be kept on file starting on or before the date of admission.

If a child is exempt from any or all immunizations due to medical reasons, a letter signed by a licensed physician stating such must be provided. This letter must be updated annually.

The Pineapple School does not accept children exempt from immunization due to reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.

what meals are served at Pineapple School?

A cereal breakfast is offered to those children arriving before 8:00am. Children enjoy a mid-morning snack consisting of fresh fruit and whole wheat crackers. For lunch, we serve a warm, nutritious meal followed by a healthy snack in the afternoon after Quiet Time. We strive to serve foods that are nutritious, made from scratch, and low in artificial trans fats. Our unique menu consists of traditional meals enjoyed by children of Latin America such as arroz con pollo, picadillo, and caldo con albóndigas.

How will my child be prepared for kindergarten?

Exposure to experiences rich in two languages is an advantage for the developing child. Our students are more than adequately prepared for Kindergarten because concepts and skills learned in one language transfer to the second language. We send parents a weekly newsletter outlining concepts covered and practiced so that parents may reinforce at home the concepts in English.