Bienvenidos a Bilingual Early Education
Mom inspired to open Montessori Bilingual Academy of Rockledge
Melissa Bailey has a vision: to provide the best early education on the Space Coast. And she’s pursuing that goal in two languages as owner of the new Montessori Bilingual Academy of Rockledge.
“Foreign language is something that is seriously lacking in certain counties across the United States,” said Bailey, a native of Venezuela. “If foreign language is a requisite for graduating high school, why are schools not teaching it at an early age when a child can grasp it and keep it with continued practice.”
Despite being a full-time physician’s assistant, Bailey purchased Rockledge Montessori in January 2020, and converted to the multi-language format with her daughter’s future in mind.
“The core of this new venture was to provide a bilingual education for my daughter since I couldn’t find it anywhere else, somewhere where all children are immersed in Spanish conversation and have a solid Montessori education, where the child is free to explore,” Bailey said.
The past year has been a bucket of challenges for Bailey, who’s been juggling family life and her medical career while launching a new business during an unforeseen pandemic. But her vision stays focused.
“I have learned that no matter how small or big an obstacle is, I will continue to strive and provide the best education I possibly can to all my students. I want to see all my students succeed emotionally and academically… I am here to provide and serve the community.”
Montessori Bilingual Academy currently provides a dual-language program for students 1 to 3½ years old in the toddler program, 3½ - 6 years old in the primary program and as of this fall, will expand to offer lower elementary grades 1-3 for students 7-9 years old. The curriculum will not only have full Spanish immersion, but will include Mandarin, focus on STEAM, computer technology, physical education, and offer extracurricular yoga.
“I know first hand the importance of being bilingual and the Montessori vision as I’m a graduate from Montessori school,” said Nilda Aguirre, deputy executive director of the National Association for Bilingual Education. “This is truly about giving kids the edge that they need in education and for the workforce.
“From my own experience when you’re bilingual, you’re truly able to appreciate both worlds and to look at life from two different perspectives and there is an increase in your cognitive skills.”
Paula Hammil, director at the academy, echoes the lifelong benefits of early bilingual education: “There are so many benefits of bilingualism such as improved memory, increased cognitive skills, more focused on tasks. Also, children who study foreign languages show higher cognitive performance.”
As Bailey and her staff excitedly prepare for the academy’s summer camps and new lower elementary classrooms, she carries with her the most important lesson: “I would like for my daughter to learn to follow her dreams. Nothing is impossible.”
Montessori Bilingual Academy of Rockledge
321-639-2266
3260 S Fiske Blvd., Rockledge
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