Atlanta families in the Kirkwood neighborhood will soon have a new early‑education option that teaches entirely in Spanish. Tierra Encantada, a franchise that began in Minnesota, is set to open its first Georgia center at 1655 Memorial Drive SE this fall. The school will serve children from infancy through pre‑K, providing play‑based learning, meals prepared from scratch, and a curriculum delivered 100 percent in Spanish.
Franchise plans and local demand
Franchise operator Michael Campagnolo, a former educator who spent 15 years managing Planet Fitness locations, says Atlanta’s rapid population growth and strong demand for quality childcare made the market a natural fit. “It’s a super similar market to Minneapolis, Minnesota actually, from a demographic standpoint, as far as school population,” Campagnolo explained. “That coupled with the need for childhood education in general… made for Atlanta to be a really strong market in my eyes to plant a flag and open some schools.”
Campagnolo chose Kirkwood because of the influx of families moving into the area and recent neighborhood changes that have increased the need for early‑learning options. A second location is slated for Smyrna next year, and the operator aims to establish a total of twelve centers throughout metro Atlanta within five years.
Curriculum and language immersion
At Tierra Encantada, Spanish is woven into every part of the school day rather than taught as a separate class. Children hear and use the language during classroom activities, meals, physical play, and conversations with teachers. For students who arrive without any Spanish background, teachers rely on repetition and contextual cues to build comprehension. “They’re learning and applying it throughout the day, during interactions with the teachers,” Campagnolo said. “It’s that day‑to‑day… repetition of Spanish in different scenarios in different formats throughout the day in various classrooms.”
Food, tuition and community impact
Each center prepares breakfast, lunch and snacks from scratch, with a chef on staff at the Kirkwood site. Campagnolo noted that the schools will participate in Georgia’s pre‑K program, and tuition for families without subsidies is intended to be at or below the pricing of major competitors, making the option affordable for a broad range of households.
The franchise is currently accepting student enrollments and job applications as it finalizes permitting and licensing. Campagnolo believes the true measure of success will come from parent testimonials once the schools become established in their neighborhoods.
What this means for Atlanta families
For parents seeking a bilingual education that integrates language learning with everyday experiences, Tierra Encantada offers a unique model that aligns with the city’s growing multicultural character. The planned expansion also adds new jobs and contributes to the local economy, supporting the broader goal of strengthening families and communities through quality early‑childhood education.
Original reporting: SaportaReport — read the source article.
