Our Mission:
Inspire Language, Celebrate Culture

Our mission is to provide a safe, joyful space where students from all backgrounds can build fluency and confidence in French. Through engaging activities, cultural exploration, and a fully immersive approach, we instill a love for learning that extends beyond language skills.

Our Philosophy:

At Mes Amis French School, we are deeply committed to meeting the individual needs of every student, especially during the critical early years of their emotional, social, physical, cognitive, and creative development.

Our preschool curriculum emphasizes child-centered, hands-on learning through engaging activities, such as science experiments, art projects, music, movement, creative dramatics, writing, reading, cooking, and math. These activities make learning fun and ensure students build critical skills while exploring the world around them — all in French.

We proudly follow the HighScope Preschool Wheel of Learning, which focuses on:

Assessment to track progress and adapt to individual needs.
Adult-child interaction to encourage collaboration and communication.
A rich learning environment to inspire exploration and creativity.
A structured daily routine to promote consistency and active learning.

Our theme-based units, introduced bi-weekly, align with WIDA standards, encouraging students to dive deeply into topics while practicing French language skills.

Mes Amis is proud to be state-licensed and has earned the highest Parent Aware rating, a testament to our commitment to delivering high-quality early education.

Our Foundation:
Supporting Education & Community Growth

The Mes Amis French School and Cultural Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that extends the impact of our school by funding:

Student scholarships to make education accessible to all.
Cultural activities like field trips and guest workshops.
Teacher support through health benefits and visa sponsorships.

By contributing to our foundation, you help expand access to high-quality early education and support cultural learning initiatives.

Learn more and donate by visiting Our Foundation page.

Meet the Team

Madame Rose, 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.
Madame Amelia, Instructor

Mme 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. She then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Elementary Education at the U. At Mes Amis, she helps in the Preschool Room as well as the After School Program part-time as a Teacher Aide. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, swimming, and going to the cabin.
Madame Schmalz, Instructor

Mme Schmalz is from Rockford, Illinois. She attended Lawrence University in Wisconsin, where she received a BA in English and Linguistics. During this time she studied in Besançon, France. Later on Mme Schmalz attended the U of M Twin Cities where she received her teaching licensure in Elementary Education. Mme Schmalz lives with her husband and her three daughters in Minnetonka. When she is not at Mes Amis she is spending time with family, writing, reading, and walking her two pit bulls. "Mes Amis is part of our family. My daughter attended the after school program and now works in the summer as an assistant. I love being part of the Mes Amis community.”
Madame Jess, Creative 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 since childhood. Jess joined Mes Amis French School in May 2020 and loves seeing the growth in the students when she pops into the school. In her free time you can find her dancing all over the state!

We’re Hiring!

Make a difference every day by inspiring young minds at Mes Amis French School.

View Open Positions

Our teaching philosophy is
grounded in our core values:
Passion + Patience + Practice = Progress

This equation ensures that every student feels supported, encouraged, and empowered as they develop their French language abilities and academic foundations.

FAQs

French immersion not only introduces children to a new language but also enhances cognitive skills, cultural awareness, and problem-solving abilities. At Mes Amis, we provide an immersive, engaging environment where children learn French naturally through play, activities, and daily interactions, setting the foundation for bilingualism and global citizenship.
Our small class sizes create a nurturing, community-based environment that allows for personalized attention and strong relationships between teachers and students. This fosters a supportive learning space where every child is seen, heard, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Children can begin their French immersion journey at Mes Amis as early as 33 months old in our Immersion Preschool Program. Early exposure to a second language enhances cognitive development and makes learning easier and more natural.
No, parents don’t need to speak French! Our teachers are experienced in supporting children from all language backgrounds. We also communicate important updates and information in English to keep parents well-informed and connected.
Our preschool program includes a mix of engaging educational activities, playtime, story sessions, and cultural experiences—all conducted in French. Children learn through interactive, hands-on activities that make language learning fun and natural.
We offer a Lunch Bunch program where children bring a bag lunch from home. To meet licensing requirements, each lunch must include four components: fruit, vegetable, protein, and a grain. If any component is missing, Mes Amis will provide the necessary supplement to ensure a balanced meal.
At Mes Amis, safety and cleanliness are top priorities. We follow comprehensive protocols in compliance with MDH and CDC guidelines, including:
- Frequent handwashing
- Cleaning and disinfecting throughout the day.
Our Health and Safety Policy by our health consultant is continuously reviewed and updated to ensure the safety and well-being of all children and staff.
- Are you too sick for school?
Yes, we offer financial aid and tuition assistance options to ensure that our programs are accessible to as many families as possible. Contact us for more information about eligibility and how to apply.
Yes! We are pleased to make this process easier for you. Simply make an account (on the right hand side of the header). There you will be able to save the name, address and phone number for all of the contacts needed on the enrollment forms.
We encourage parent involvement and offer various volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Whether helping in the classroom, assisting with events, or joining our supportive community network, there are plenty of ways to get involved and make a positive impact!