About us
About Us
Where Curiosity, Culture, and Learning Come Together
At Bilingual Immersion Preparatory Academy, we believe that every child is born ready to explore, discover, and learn, and that language is one of the greatest tools for that journey. Our mission is to nurture young learners through bilingual education, preparing them not only for kindergarten, but for a lifetime of curiosity, confidence, and cultural awareness.
Our Mission
The mission of the Bilingual Immersion Preparatory Academy is to surround students of diverse backgrounds with a language rich learning environment that will allow students to communicate, through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Learning more than one language is an integral part of a child’s learning experience that will enable them to achieve academic proficiency in both languages. This can potentially lead students to reach the goals of becoming lifelong learners and exceptional contributors to society.
Our objective
The children will be able to have the benefit of learning how to read, write and think in more than one language. The goal of The Bilingual Immersion Preparatory Academy (BIPA) is to provide an environment where all children can learn and achieve. A Standard-based instructional program would be a key factor towards providing high developmental levels that will ensure an equal and quality education to all students.
Philosophy
Our Philosophy
Children learn best when they feel safe, loved, and inspired. That’s why our approach combines structured learning with joyful exploration. Through hands-on activities, bilingual storytelling, music, art, and play, we help children build strong foundations in literacy, problem-solving, and social development, in both English and Spanish.
Our goal is to help every child:
Where Curiosity, Culture, and Learning Come Together
Curriculum
Curriculum & Learning Standards
At Bilingual Immersion Preparatory Academy, our approach to early education is grounded in a research-based pre-kindergarten and kindergarten program designed to support academic readiness and whole-child development.
We align our teaching with the Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood for:
These standards inform our curriculum, guide teacher planning and assessment, and support the selection of instructional materials that provide a strong educational framework for early childhood development.
Curriculum We Use
To support our standards-aligned approach, we use trusted and developmentally appropriate curricula, including:
The Creative Curriculum
By Diane Trister Dodge, Sherrie Rudick, and Kai-lee Berke
Used for infants through pre-kindergarten, this curriculum supports learning through play, exploration, and intentional teaching across all developmental areas.
Spanish Language Curriculum
Nuestra Cartilla Fonética by Cultural Puertorriqueña, Inc.
Letras by Alma Flor Ada
La Pata Pita by Hilda Perera and Mana F. Fraga
These resources support early Spanish literacy, phonetic development, and bilingual language acquisition in engaging and culturally meaningful ways.
Team
Our leadership team
The heart of Bilingual Immersion Preparatory Academy is our team of passionate educators who love what they do.
Our teachers bring years of experience in early childhood education and Spanish language instruction. They understand that every child learns differently, and they meet each student with patience, encouragement, and individualized attention.
Together, we create a bilingual community where children feel safe to explore, make mistakes, and celebrate every milestone along the way.
Evelyn Pagan
Founder
About Our Founder
I have over 30 years of experience in education and have dedicated my career to helping children learn, grow, and succeed. I began as a Bilingual Elementary Teacher, ESOL Specialist, and Reading Teacher with the School District of Philadelphia, where I served students and families for nearly 20 years. For the past 10 years, I have continued my work in education as an Elementary School Principal.
In 2016, I earned my Doctorate in Educational Leadership, which deepened my understanding of high-quality instruction and the importance of creating nurturing learning environments. My experience has taught me that children learn best when they feel safe, cared for, and supported, no matter their background or ability.
I believe that strong teaching and whole-child development go hand in hand. By maintaining high expectations and ensuring a caring environment, children become confident, curious, and lifelong learners.
My vision for this childcare program is to create a multicultural and inclusive environment where every child can reach their full potential. We are committed to nurturing positive values, curiosity, and a love of learning, building a strong foundation for success in school and in llife.
Stephanie Cortez
Executive Director
About Our Executive Director
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Penn State University in 2009 and went on to complete my Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Eastern University in 2011. My educational journey and professional experiences have allowed me to work with children and families across a wide range of settings, always with a focus on emotional wellness, growth, and support.
Throughout my career, I have served as a Psychotherapist for Penn Medicine, a School Counselor with the School District of Philadelphia, and a Behavioral Health Consultant with Community Behavioral Health, part of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities Services for the City of Philadelphia. These experiences have strengthened my passion for promoting mental health, emotional development, and social resilience in children.
Today, I am proud to partner with my mother in continuing our shared mission, to nurture and guide young learners both academically and emotionally. Together, we are committed to creating a safe, caring, and enriching environment where children can thrive, build confidence, and develop the lifelong skills they need to succeed.