About
Our School & PreschoolOur Mission
Mes Amis’ mission is to help students of all ages speak and understand French language and culture in a fun, friendly, and safe environment. We welcome students from all backgrounds and strive to instill in them a deep appreciation for the French language and culture.
Our Philosophy
At our school, we strive to meet the individual needs of each preschool student in their emotional, social, physical, cognitive, language, and creative development. We achieve this through child-centered science, art, music, movement, creative dramatics, writing, reading, cooking, math, and basic learning concept activities that make the learning process fun and engaging. We follow the HighScope Preschool Wheel of Learning, which emphasizes assessment, adult-child interaction, learning environment, and daily routine for the goal of active learning. Our theme-based units, introduced bi-weekly, stimulate exploration in French and the world around them through content-based instruction that meets WIDA standards. Our preschool curriculum is State Licensed and has received the highest Parent Aware rating, ensuring that our students receive a high-quality education. At the core of our values is the equation Passion + Patience + Practice = Progress, which guides our approach to education and ensures that our students are given every opportunity to succeed.
Our Foundation
The Mes Amis French School and Cultural Foundation is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization that funds educational programs and other initiatives that go beyond the school’s normal operating budget. The Foundation supports student achievement and skill development through scholarships and unique activities like field trips and class experiences with visiting educators from a variety of disciplines. Additionally, funds from the Foundation help to acquire visas for foreign teachers and ensure staff excellence by providing health benefits. Through this Foundation, we hope to expand community involvement from individuals, businesses, and civic organizations in the mission of Mes Amis French School. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the Mes Amis French School and Cultural Foundation, or to become a board member, please contact Rose Mingo-Holtz.
612-805-4930 / rose@mesamisfrenchschool.org
Meet The Staff
Rose Mingo-Holtz,
Director & Instructor
Rose Mingo-Holtz, director and instructor, came from the islands of Haiti where French and Creole are the official languages. She speaks four different languages: French, Creole, English and Spanish.
Madame Rose’s 10+ year-teaching career spans diverse age groups, languages and skill sets. Her experience includes instructing French Continued Education at Normandale Community College, Middle School French at Oak Grove Bloomington Public Schools, French & Spanish at Sunrise Montessori, French Community Education in Bloomington, Chaska, and Richfield. Additionally, running French summer camps at St. Croix Montessori and serving as a paraprofessional in Special Education at Eden Prairie Schools.
In Rose’s words, “Teaching French c’est fantastique! I believe that French can be learned as a second language in a fun and wonderful atmosphere.”
Amelia Merfeld, Instructor
Madame Amelia is a Preschool assistant and Summer Camp school age lead teacher. Amelia has been attending Mes Amis since the age of 3 and speaks both French and Spanish fluently. She recently earned an Associate Degree at Normandale Community College where she was captain of the synchronized swimming team. Amelia now attends the University of Minnesota. At Mes Amis, she helps in the Preschool Room as well the After School Program part-time as a Teacher Aide. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, swimming, and going to the cabin.
Jess Strohm, Marketing Coordinator
Jess Strohm is an MSU Mankato graduate with a Bachelor’s in Marketing and minor in Business Administration. She is a Minnesota native and has been a close friend to the Mingo-Holtz family for many years. Jess joined Mes Amis French School in May 2020 and is looking forward to getting more children involved in our unique school. In her free time you can find her dancing all over the state.