By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–San Diego Unified School District’s first-of-its-kind “cradle-to-college and career” center is ready for business.
A trailblazing infant and toddler Montessori Center in the heart of Logan Heights, El Nido at Logan Memorial Educational Campus (LMEC) held its inaugural parent orientation Friday morning, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony with leaders of the San Diego Unified School District and San Diego State University.
Officially opening in January 2025, the El Nido Infant and Toddler Montessori Center offers an integrated educational experience from infancy through high school graduation, ensuring that students and families have the resources and support they need at every stage of a child’s development.
“It has been years of tireless work to bring this vision to fruition, a collaborative effort involving district leaders, LMEC staff, educational experts, and of course, the incredible community that brings LMEC to life,” said Dr. Fabi Bagula, San Diego Unified Interim Superintendent. “All of this effort is because we believe that surrounding working families and their students with resources and support will help elevate each student to reach their true and full potential.”
El Nido’s programs will nurture young learners from birth to preschool by providing high-quality care and early education for infants and toddlers, fostering cognitive, emotional, and social development while laying the groundwork for future academic success.
“As we open our doors, we are not just launching a center – we are building a foundation for something greater—a legacy of love, learning, and community,” said Belinda Rico, administrator of El Nido. ”El Nido will be a place where every child’s curiosity is celebrated, their individuality is respected, and their potential is boundless.”
El Nido is part of LMEC’s Montessori program for grades prenatal through 3rd grade. Started more than a century ago by Italian Physician Dr. Maria Montessori, Montessori classrooms teach students to work independently and in groups and focus on self-motivation in all areas of their development – cognitive, emotional, social, and physical. UTK-3rd grade students at LMEC have already been involved in the Montessori program – El Nido will bring in the prenatal, toddlers, and preschoolers.
“Every detail, every corner, every element was created to inspire students,” said Silvia Martinez, LMEC Director. “We want to celebrate their individuality and to nurture their growth from Cradle-to-College/Career.”
El Nido features two 1,454-square-foot classrooms, fully equipped with state-of-the-art Montessori materials and custom-designed furniture. Alphabet of Life carefully selected these essential learning tools and collaborated with San Diego Unified to design the interior spaces tailored to the developmental needs of the building’s age groups.
The facility also includes critical support areas such as two storage rooms, restrooms for staff and children, and a dedicated lactation room. Additionally, an outdoor play area has been thoughtfully planned to accommodate two distinct age groups: infants to two-year-olds and children aged two to five.
Both the classrooms and playgrounds are outfitted with developmentally appropriate learning materials meticulously aligned with the Montessori educational philosophy. This intentional integration ensures that the environment fosters holistic development, supports self-directed learning, and nurtures every child’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth.
“Our district’s commitment to initiatives like El Nido, affordable and workforce housing, and the Play All Day partnership with the City of San Diego, all of which demonstrate a clear focus on meeting the needs of working families,” said Richard Barrera, San Diego Unified Board of Education Vice President.
Made possible by a partnership between the school district and Harvard University, LMEC is the result of a transformational project that united Logan Elementary School and Memorial Middle School with a new dedicated high school serving the Logan Heights community and families.
“The opening of El Nido represents a transformative step for our community by providing comprehensive early childhood education and support right here in the heart of Logan Heights,” said 80th District Assemblymember David Alvarez. “This facility ensures that families have access to vital prenatal, toddler, and preschool services in a nurturing environment, right next to the Logan Memorial Educational Campus, which I am proud to have supported. Investing in early education and keeping resources close to home ensures our children get the best possible start in life, and our students can continue their education without barriers.”
