MISSION
To help EVERY child realize their maximum potential by guiding them through an individualized learning program which will take advantage of a child's natural love of learning and curiosity.

VISION
We have envisioned a Dual Language charter school that would focus on fostering superior academic development, an understanding and acceptance of cultures and ideas other than the students' own, fluency in Spanish, real world curriculum, problem solving skills, and ecologically conscious behavior. The whole person will be nurtured, not just the future worker.

HISTORY
Balere was established in 1999 out of a necessity for early foreign language education. At six years of age, the founder´s son expressed the desire to learn five languages in order to become a pilot. He seemed to have a sense that people like to be spoken to in their own language. Balere was formed to give other children the opportunity to learn about other languages and cultures. Since then, Balere has been determined to address those needs and ensure that children have the chance to acquire the necessary tools for tomorrow: the gift of a second language. Balere is Pulaar for “the presence of all colours”. Our mission is to promote, encourage, and facilitate the teaching and learning of foreign cultures and languages.

We were geared primarily to the needs of children and those studying for personal enrichment. Our Foreign Language Friends program was created to assist children and parents in learning a second language. With increased language input from the tutors, concentrating on communication instead of words. The children´s speech emerges naturally, as if it were their native language. Services were offered in the home, making it very natural.

However, we became increasingly confronted with business people, professionals, and technicians headed for foreign posts and needing language skills for their new assignments. To meet this need, Balere developed a Business Pak that catered to corporations with a 20 hour package for up to 10 employees. To date, the program has been successful, with clients from international computer companies in Latin America teaching employees English and Portuguese as well. In 2000, Balere added translating and interpreting to its repertoire, with most of the working coming from the Broward County Court House.

Since its inception, Balere´s focus has been children. In May of 2001, we hosted a Language Fair, which offered competitions in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. The all day event showcased multi-lingual entertainment and cultural crafts. Over 150 teachers volunteered their time to judge the competitions so that their student could participate in the Fair. It was well represented by the various consulates in Miami and local international vendors. The fair is now an annual event celebrating the International Day of the Child. Students and teachers in Miami-Dade County Public Schools begin their preparation for the fair early in the school year. It serves as a means to share their progress with others and provides a forum for language enthusiasts.

In September of 2001, Balere began offering cultural workshops. Four cultures are chosen per year to be explored. The six-week workshops are free to the community and boast full immersion language lessons as well. Thus far, the Rastafarian culture, Germany, and Japan have been “on display”. Bilingual certificates of completion are given to the students and each workshop culminated in a concert of interactive demonstration. Students have learned the art of German Folk-dancing and Karate.

January of 2002, Balere opened its doors to Saturday School. This program is for toddlers 2 to 5 with full immersion in French and Spanish. The school is located in the low-income area of Coconut Grove and will operate year round. We employ the Total Physical Response method for teaching language, where the children learn naturally by understanding first, then speaking, and eventually the written form.

We are in our Fifth year of operation of the Balere Language Academy Charter School, linguistically challenging the children of South Dade in grades KG thru 6th, and will add a grade level per year as space permits, until we reach 8th Grade. Our aim is to have them fluent in Spanish and eventually serve K-8 students that will be tri-lingual by the end of their time with us. This will enable them to be enrolled in native Spanish or French classes for the duration of their public school education, allowing the language to remain with them for life.