English immersion
All instruction and communication are in English. Children don't memorize words; they think and play in English.
We don't teach English. We teach in English.
Here they read in English.
A small preschool in a garden home. Everything in English. Every child advances at their own pace.
1970Two generations of teachers
10:1Children per teacher, at most
0%In English
0Groups, Nursery to Pre-First
It feels like grandma's house, not an institution.
The school lives on the ground floor of a family home. Every classroom opens onto the garden and is full of morning light.
What makes us different
Six things parents don't find anywhere else.
Ten children per teacher
Nobody waits and nobody is left behind. A child reading whole sentences and a classmate still learning sounds share the same table.
All-inclusive
We welcome families from all backgrounds, abilities and experiences. There is no entrance exam. We like to meet the parents, but your child's level won't make a difference.
Teachers with 27+ years
Native or fully fluent English speakers who notice what a child needs long before a big school would.
Nature focused
Free, grassy play areas with flowers and fresh air every day, and calm indoor spaces that feel like a second home.
Ready for any school
Our graduates leave doing first-grade work, and the leading bilingual schools in Mexico City know it.
Five groups, one child at a time
Children may join at any point of the year.
Nursery
First steps away from home: songs, stories and routines, all in English.
K-1
Vocabulary through play, music and the first phonetic sounds.
K-2
Letters and numbers. They read their first words and write their names.
K-3
Reading sentences, early math and projects on the smart board.
Pre-First
A bridge year before first grade. They move up a level instead of repeating one.
We incorporate
STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and music), English conversation, enrichment activities and physical education. No textbooks: each child works with sheets chosen for them.
A morning at The Roath's School
Something indoors, then something fun outdoors, all morning.
01
Circle time
Songs, the calendar and what everyone did last night. In English from minute one.
02
Small-group work
Two or three children with the teacher while the rest build, read or solve puzzles.
03
Out to the garden
Games on the lawn: coordination, taking turns and learning new vocabulary.
04
Phonics and reading
From sounds to words to sentences, one step at a time.
05
Music, yoga and art
A room of their own for music, yoga, and art projects.
06
Clean-up and snack
They tidy their own space. Lunch is in the garden when the weather allows.
Play is essential. But it is not enough.
Since the pandemic many families chose small playgroups. The children were happy. Then first grade arrived.
| Aspect | At The Roath's School | In a typical playgroup |
|---|---|---|
| Who teaches | Teachers with 27 to 30+ years in the classroom | A caring adult, often without teaching background |
| What they learn | A full preschool program in English, phonics to reading | Songs, colors and numbers through free play |
| Groups | Five levels by age | Mixed ages in one room |
| Progress | A personal plan for each child | Everyone does the same activity |
| First grade | They arrive well prepared and speaking English | The entrance evaluation is a shock |
We cost more than a playgroup and give a lot more. We offer scholarships to families who are the right fit; ask during your visit.
Three generations of teachers
Linda Roath opened the school with her mother in 1970 and has taught since she was nineteen. She still teaches Pre-First every morning.
Many of today's students are the children, and grandchildren, of children she taught.
Our goal is to make this first school experience a happy, positive one. Gentle beginnings, lasting confidence.
Linda Roath, founder and Pre-First teacher
The teachers
Teacher Linda, Teacher Carol, Teacher Doris, Teacher Yvonne and Teacher Grace. Well over a century in the classroom between them.
Why you won't see children's faces
Our families value their privacy, and so do we. Every photo shows the school as it is, with the children seen from behind.
Questions parents ask
Does my child need to speak English first?
No. Most children arrive with no English. In a few months they understand everything; soon after, they answer back.
My child has special needs. Can they come?
Very likely yes. Children with autism, Down syndrome, hearing loss and ADHD have learned here in regular groups.
Is there an entrance exam?
No. We like to meet the parents, but your child's level won't make a difference.
Can we start mid-year?
Yes. Each child starts from where they are.
Where do your graduates go?
To the leading bilingual and bicultural schools in Mexico City. Their first-grade teachers ask for our children by name.
What is Pre-First?
A year for six to seven-year-olds who need one more year before first grade. They move up a level instead of repeating K-3.
Come see it on a school morning
Visits are at 9:00 a.m., Monday to Thursday, one family per day.