Global Minds World Languages Preschool & Academy

I couldn’t be happier with the foreign language education my son is receiving at Global Minds. It is everything I looked for in a pre-​school (warm, small, passionate teachers, consciousness) and more.
My son started there 1 year ago at age 2.5. He was already bilingual (Spanish & English) and we were happy to find a place where he could continue school in Spanish, as we were new to the area. The fact that they offer the flexibility of also spending a few days in the Chinese class was an added bonus! We started out trying the Chinese class almost accidentally, as the Spanish teacher was away, but I soon saw the added value. My son’s mind was already exposed to foreign language, why not add another? Plus the teacher is fabulous. So he splits his week between both classrooms. And no, this is not confusing for him! At age 3.5 he has a pretty good understanding of different languages, countries and cultures. He knows when to speak Spanish/​Chinese/​English and with whom, etc. Sometimes he even comes home saying a few words in French, that he has learned from a French classmate. I love that he has exposure to this. Scottsdale is not always diverse, but this school is truly international and I love that.
My son is eager to teach his family the words and songs he has learned in both classes and to show off his daily art projects. The small size of the school affords parents a chance to get to know the teachers, director and other families. It is great to support a small business, because the director and his wife (who teaches) are passionate about their wonderful school and about immersion education. There is no disconnect between the ideals behind the school and the way it is run.
Also, they give you, as parents, a lot of flexibility to choose the schedule and hours that work for you. You can mix languages, or do how many days a week you like, also choosing from different pickup times. As a parent of a toddler I obsess over how much or little school I want my son in (juggled with my needs for him to be in school) and I love this flexibility.
I look forward to another 1.5 years at this school.

I’m a very happy customer of Global Minds.
As a mom to a homeschooler I’m aware that I can’t teach my daughter everything. Enter: foreign languages and Global Minds.
I have always known that an immersion program is best, and one with native speakers. I looked for a program and found everything I needed and wanted at Global Minds… small class size, fun environment, smart staff, good energy, teachers who really care and pay attention to all of the kids, etc. I’m grateful they’re here in Scottsdale.
When I first heard about Global Minds, I had a long list of questions and criteria in order to feel not only comfortable, but also excited, for my daughter to attend. Adam patiently answered all of them.
After a few months, I have nothing but praise for Global Minds… from their philosophy to the teachers to the administrators. My daughter attends part time, and like other people have said, once you walk through the doors, you feel surrounded by happy, warm energy. After dropping her off, I walk away and feel good about putting my daughter in their hands and under their influence.
There’s a lot to do at Global Minds. They offer daily opportunities for art, and weekly they do yoga, dance, kung fu, and role play. They sing a ton, too. Play is an important activity, and the kiddos get their fill of that on a daily basis. I’m always excited to see what art project my daughter has at the end of her time there — they’re always super cute.
Moreover, I love that she is learning foreign language (spanish and mandarin) which is important for brain development. It’s a proud moment when my daughter is playing at home and starts using spanish and mandarin without being prompted.
I look forward to another year with Global Minds and hopefully more in the future beyond that as my daughter grows.

I wish I had more children, so I could send them to Global Minds too. As a working parent, my son has been in «school» since he was three months old. From three months to two years, he had loving caregivers supporting his development. We had a small gap though during his two’s, when we sought a language immersion program that also catered to the social and emotional needs of two year olds. This gap produced an intensive preschool search that ultimately brought us to the doorstep of Global Minds.
Only opened for three months at that time — and with no more than a banner where the current, permanent sign is located — I stumbled upon Global Minds not through word of mouth but through a google search. As an involved parent, I naturally fretted my child starting at a brand new school that I couldn’t research or learn about from others’ experiences. However, all of my concerns dissipated after meeting Adam and Chi Chi. They are supportive, well-​organized, and clearly care so much about each and every child.
At the time of my son’s initial enrollment, I had a few «must have’s» on my school list: a teacher and director that genuinely cared about my child, language immersion, emphasis on social and emotional development, and an attractive facility in which I would feel comfortable having my child spend his days. Global Minds has all of these in spades and more. A year later, my son has flourished socially and behaviorally — and much of that has to do with his «long talks with the Director» and teachers that watch the children closely. He interacts with his peers appropriately for his age now, rarely gets frustrated, ‘uses his words’, understands more Spanish and Mandarin than I ever will, and has a lovely group of friends.
An educator myself, I have taken note of Adam’s (the Director and owner) and Chi Chi’s (Mandarin teacher and owner) wonderful student and parent relations skills. I have observed that they are so exceptionally talented in these areas because every decision they make is always with the best interest of their students in mind. Both of them are so selfless and very giving. On more than one occasion they have unknowingly served as mentors for my own community relationship building.
If I had to make a suggestion about what I would change at Global Minds, the answer would be ‘nothing.’ We have about a year and a half left at the school and I am already sad that it is such a short time away. Fortunately, their after school program is thriving as well; I fully intend on having my son come back for afternoon language sessions once he begins kindergarten. My husband and I are forever grateful to Global Minds for their hand in aiding in our sons’ development during these formative years.

My two and a half year old son has been attending Global Minds for two months now, and we couldn’t be happier. We searched and searched for a Mandarin language immersion preschool and we’re so glad to have found one in Scottsdale. The moment we stepped through the school doors, we knew in our hearts that we found the right place for our son. The children are happy, love their passionate and fun teachers, and are eager to express what they are learning. My husband and I do not speak Mandarin, but wanted an opportunity where we could all learn it together as a family. Global Minds is the real deal. Learning the language through organized activities, play, and repetition, our son is already using words contextually, counting, and singing Mandarin songs at home. The school director and teachers go through great efforts in helping parents reinforce language skills at home. Our son loves reviewing his Chinese book filled with his projects and pictures with us. We also appreciate the flexibility of the program, where students can embark on multiple language tracks including: Mandarin, Spanish, and French. Most importantly, Global Minds is a happy, nurturing, and culturally diverse community that our son has thrived in.