KSS Immersion Prechool Montclair
Community SubscriberOakland, CA
- Previously called Kids into Speaking Spanish
- View additional KSS locations
KSS Immersion Schools offers a Spanish immersion preschool program in California's Bay Area for children aged two to six. Research shows that early language immersion learners benefit cognitively, exhibiting greater nonverbal problem-solving abilities and more flexible thinking. Students flourish in our immersion program under the caring instruction of highly experienced Maestras from Spanish-speaking countries across the globe.
Parent Q&A
Parent Reviews
Parents, please Sign in to post a review on this page.I can’t speak about the Lincoln Highlands location, but the Montclair location has been truly amazing for my kids! The teachers are smart, loving, energetic, and the program is balanced and well run!
We couldn't be happier with KSS! We have two boys at the school with one moving on to Kindergarten. The teachers have all been so loving, supportive, kind, and creative. Both our boys would run into school and get hugs from their teachers everyday. They look forward to going and say they love school, this is all because of the fun, loving, and supportive environment that KSS works so hard to achieve. Also, the Director Solange is the best, she's very attentive and is quick to provide updates and feedback. We love KSS and highly recommend it.
We are at Kids Speaking Spanish and have had a great experience. I was skeptical at first (simply because language immersion wasn't our top priority, we are more concerned with academics) but it's a fabulous, caring place. So creative and the teachers are very invested in the children. Highly recommended. Our daughter started this fall in the 2s program and will be in 3s this fall.
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Review of KISS (Kids into Speaking Spanish)?
Feb 2015
I'm interested in sending my son to KISS (Kids Into Speaking Spanish) preschool. I would love to hear about any recent experiences of the school and teachers. (I was told there has been some teacher turnover.) Thanks! Heather
My family has only good things to say about KISS. My older daughter did one year of preschool there (before starting Kindergarten), and my younger daughter is in her first year now. The teachers are attentive and caring. The Spanish instruction is consistent and strong, but not bewildering if you have no previous Spanish instruction. They do what I think is a huge amount of quite fun projects. The students and parents are warm and outgoing. We've been very happy there! Melissa B
Aug 2013
Re: Preschool for 2 years old girl very attached
Definitely look into KISS school. It's a Spanish immersion school with the warmest most wonderful staff of teachers. It's 6am-7pm. My daughter goes there and loves it. KISS mom
KISS on Piedmont Ave in Oakland
July 2013
Does anyone have any recent feedback on the KISS preschool on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland? Thanks in advance. anon
My son started attending KISS almost a year ago in the 3 year olds classroom and our experience has been 100% positive. Having our son learn Spanish was a priority and in that pursuit we tried two nearby immersion/bilingual preschools (not EBI). Our experience at KISS could not have been more different. KISS teachers are warm, knowledgable and communicative. The administration is responsive, professional and transparent. Most of all the school pulls off the seemingly impossible: they make your child a priority while doing the same for every other child. I could go on and on. The only thing I can add is that we're sending our two year old there next week. Please ask the moderator for my email address if you'd like to ask me more specific questions. Andrea
I have a child at KISS on Piedmont Ave and my feelings about the school are mixed. I love that my child is fluent in Spanish thanks to the KISS program. It's a life skill and it's amazing. We like that it's a small number of students overall. I also deeply appreciate the affection my child has for their teacher and vice versa. A few of the teachers are real gems.
BUT. The new (and past) owner/s of the school ran/run it as a business. Aside from monthly invoices, parents don't receive consistent communication from the owners or administrators. They do not solicit parent feedback or input in any way, or facilitate parent involvement beyond fundraising and fiestas. Further, I'm not sure that there is a shared vision about how to best nurture the 'whole child.'
The boy/girl ratio is often heavily skewed and teachers seem to spend a lot of time managing the more rowdy boys. The interior space is small, and there isn't a lot of separation between the two younger classes; it's basically a big room with a row of cubbies in the center. It's a brand new space but the carpet is usually dirty, especially in the 2's area where the kids spend a lot of time on the floor. The space seems very unfinished in places, with no plan communicated for finishing it. There are no real window coverings and paint is still needed in some areas. The exterior space is a small yard covered in wood chips; no grass, trees or plants. I pull large splinters out of my child's socks daily.
My child is mostly happy there. If a little unevenly nurtured, still happy. And fluent in Spanish. And maybe years from now that's what will really matter..? Mixed on KISS
July 2011
I'm looking for a Spanish immersion or bilingual pre-school that will take a two year old. The reviews for KISS in Oakland are kind of old and kind of sparse. Anyone have any recent thoughts? Thank you.
My four-year old daughter just graduated from KISS preschool in Montclair. She attended for one year and we were very happy with the school. Our daughter loved her teachers and learned a substantial amount of Spanish (she did not know any Spanish before attending). I found the four-year old class to be structured and organized. My daughter is very independent and the teachers were very patient with her and eventually they were able to draw her out and get her to participate with the group of students. Her teachers were Juliana and Marita. I highly recommend this preschool! jandc
June 2011
Hi BPNers, We are located in San Leandro and looking for a Spanish immersion preschool for our daughter. She'll be 2 this fall. I've read some good reviews of Kids Into Speaking Spanish/KISS, but the archives are a bit outdated. I'd love to hear some more recent reviews, especially of the Montclair site. Thanks!
Our daughter is currently in the 2s class at KISS in Montclair and it's a perfect fit for us. Spanish immersion was our top priority when selecting a pre-school. I honestly didn't have too many other special expectations or requirements, but I have been really pleasantly surprised with the wonderful environment and program at KISS. The teachers, too, are incredibly warm and kind, consistent, and attentive. There are about 6 kids in the class on a lean day and maybe 11 or so when it's a full house - just the right size for us. The classroom is small-ish but has a good vibe - LOTS of colorful art and cheerful kids playing together or exploring the space solo. The curriculum comes through, even in the 2s class. My daughter has picked up several Spanish words and idioms, and sings as many Spanish as English songs now. The Director, Maribel, is very accessible and responsive (in person and via email, yay!), and gets to know each child and family personally. I wish the outdoor space was a little bigger and more interesting, but for little ones, it seems to be plenty. Hope this helps. Buena suerte! KISS Mom
Sept 2008
We are looking at this preschool, taking a tour in October. We would love to hear from families who have children attending or who have attended this school. Thank you! G
I've sent my little guy to KISS-Montclair, it's worked out for our family and we are all pleased with it. My son started in the 2's class last year. He started with the M-F 9-12 program.
They are very flexible up there. If my son has to stay late or be droped off early, it's never a problem. I learned Spanish as a young adult, but don't speak it at home. I am very happy that he is getting exposure to Spanish. He totally understands when you speak to him in Spanish...he doesn't speak it though. His cousin just started there 2 days/week in the 4's class and he is already trying to speak Spanish.
I also like that the staff is generally hispanic and subsequently transmits some hispanic culture. There is lots of affection. Nathaniel has a great teacher and is very fortunate to have her this year too (after a zillion parent requests and pleas).
Even my dad now speaks their praise. He was very skeptical at first (different culture...different language....who knows?). My dad does a lot of the drop off and pick up and has much more contact with them than I have.
Happy with KISS...it works out great for our family situation. jq Judy
Nov 2007
Re: Preschool for a 4 yo in Montclair area
We are happy at the new KISS (Kids Into Speaking Spanish) program in Montclair if you are interested in an immersion program. It's right at the corner of Mountain and Snake Rd. I know that there are openings in my son's class and he will also be 4 in the beginning of the year. Their website is www.kissprogram.com Feel free to email directly if you have any specific questions. es
Hello, We also joined earlier this fall and are in complete shock by yesterday's email regarding the tuition change. We were aware of the increase from 2021-2022 which was only $60 so we confidently enrolled our daughter assuming it would be a similar change for this upcoming school year. If they planned to drastically change the programming they should have informed us at the beginning of the school year and given us a fair warning of the potential increase before having us commit. It is extremely unfortunate that they were not transparent and we are now left with only 2 days before re-enrollment. I feel extremely compromised with very little options. Additionally I feel sad that my daughter has been friends and established a good relationship with the teachers there and there's a strong chance she will not be returning next year due to this drastic increase/change.
You are correct. Many of us are extremely angry. Can you (and anyone interested in discussing more) please message me or email me at bbme3001 [at] gmail.com?
Hi There! We are at KSS Albany and all the families are very upset. My son only joined in November 22 and we were given no warning. One of our parents posted to BPN as well and is welcoming families from other KSS locations to email her. The Albany families will be fighting back and posting to Yelp, contacting our local governments and news sites, possibly even protesting!
We are not at KSS but at UC Berkeley early childhood education program. The costs have increased steadily (about $100/month) per year.
This year Infant <2 was $2720. Once our kid turned 2 she was moved to the toddler class, which costs. us a mere $2420 (half of our take-home paycheck from Cal!)
We are in a similar situation as feeling as though they have us over a barrel. Our kid loves the spot, her teachers, and her friends. It is a bitter pill to swallow and we can only trust at this that this tuition continues to be wisely invested in good teachers and facilities and not supporting bloated administrative salaries.
Yes! See my other post, I think it's closer to a $900 / month increase or a 45% yoy increase... but it's so confusing in how it's being communicated that it's hard to know for sure! It'd be good to get a group of parents that feel similarly shocked by this change for some collective action. Happy to discuss with anyone!
Unfortunately I think this related to inflation as well as the specific challenges of recruiting and retaining educators at a time when many are considering leaving. Our preschool also just notified us that costs for the next year will be increasing by about $6000. We hadn't been planning on doing public school TK but we are now reconsidering it.
Just fyi La Plazita in Oakland and San Leandro is also a Spanish immersion preschool and they charge like 1700 a month for full time care. I know they just opened up a new campus too…we’ve been really happy there.