Neni Academy
Pre-school Program
Tånom i simiya.
Chief Hurao Neni Academy is a pre-school program that seeks to create a nuturing, supportive environment where students and their families develop the ability to communicate effectively in the CHamoru language, understand and appreciate CHamoru culture and values while ensuring kindergarten readiness in areas of age-appropriate social, intellectual, and perceptual motor skills.
At Hurao, learning goes beyond the classroom and extends into the entire family. Parents participate in Eskuelan Mañaina, a weekly CHamoru class to promote whole-family fluency, Ha’ånen Manggåfa, gatherings that help build community within and between Hurao families, and Ha’ånen Setbisio, days of service in which families give back to the school.
Together, we can raise a new generation of responsible, aware CHamorus who are grounded in the foundation of their native language and culture.
Our children will become the generation that is able to connect traditional knowledge with contemporary life.
Nenis learn about themselves and the world around them through a CHamoru lens that will provide a foundation for them to participate confidently in contemporary society while remaining connected to their roots.
Program Details:
Age Groups
Fama’guon Tulu : 3 years | Famaguo’on Fåtfat: 4 years
Hours of Instruction
Monday - Friday | 8:00am - 3:00pm
Location
P.C. Lujan Elementary School (Barrigada, GU)
Tuition
$450/month
See full fee schedule here.
The Chief Hurao Academy does not discriminate in admission practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, ancestry, sexual orientation, arrest and court record, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.
What Neni Academy parents say:
“In the past, I never thought that my own children would be speaking Chamoru. I was never sure it was even a possibility for me to learn Chamoru so that I can speak it WITH them. The Chief Hurao Neni Academy allowed me and my family to be on this significant mission that I am forever grateful for because they are making my dreams come true. Even if I am not fluent yet, everyday I surprise myself for speaking at the level I am because we have been enrolled for only 7 months now. It is truly because of the commitment that the Hurao program has to the children as well as the parents it is for the entire family.”
-Jenny Sarmiento
“It is no longer a novel idea to speak CHamoru, but a reality, and part of our normal daily routine. The program has exceeded our expectations, to where it feels like we're a part of this elite membership club, and I wish it was available to more households so they could experience what every parent in this program has experienced. Our kids have so much pride, self-confidence and assurance of their abilities because they know who they are.
Not only is the CHamoru language used exclusively, but the staff is ensuring that our children will be equipped and prepared with the knowledge and skills they need for kindergarten. They keep us informed with regular Parent-Teacher Conferences, discussing the level of comprehension and proficiency our kids should have at their age, what topics they excel at, and areas they need to focus on.”
-Ilene Quitugua
“I am extremely pleased with the Neni academy and how my daughter is being taught, what I was blessed to have learned from my grandmother, 40 years ago. Every single one of the teachers don't treat the program like a program that you can come and go. They are all in, 100%, putting their hearts and sincere compassion into teaching and instilling the CHamoru culture into the children. Alongside that, they do not neglect the educational aspect that can be expected with pre-school.I really did not know what to expect, and thought that okay, a day care with CHamoru as the main form of communication. Our experience has been way more. I am blown away by how they are able to execute a comprehensive educational curriculum (more than anticipated) and rich cultural aspects into every arena. For example, the Christmas season was such a joy with the kids pulling off the best nativity have ever seen. They learned prayers, the Christmas story, and the names of the animals in CHamoru. The fact the kids learned about the nubena, singing the songs, praying, was so special and moving.”
My daughter was praying in CHamoru and answering me in short word responses within the first month. I have always understood the language, but was ashamed to speak it. Fast forward to today, I speak it to my heart's content with complete confidence. This is all I speak to my daughter in at home. Additionally, my husband and two older children are learning to speak it as well, given it is the language of our home. Our siblings (Juan and l), parents, friends all know to speak only CHamoru to her/us.
- Olga Muña
“In the beginning, we could not have imagined the progress our son has made in such a short amount of time. When he first started at Hurao, he could not speak or understand any CHamoru. After a little more than half a school year, he has now become the most fluent CHamoru speaker in our household. While learning the CHamoru language initially brought us to Hurao, we quickly realized that the Neni Academy would become so much more. The teachers and staff are fully involved with the development and nurturing of the children in the Neni program. They provide an environment that constantly encourages and supports the whole child academically, socially and emotionally. Guåfi is learning everything he would at an English-speaking preschool, but he's learning it in the CHamoru language. And not only does the program teach the children letters, numbers, shapes and colors, but they're also learning about the CHamoru culture and values, as well as how to be responsible citizens. Guåfi has flourished tremendously in the past six months. When he first started the program, he was extremely timid and shy and it was hard to get him to speak CHamoru outside of school. Over the past few months, his confidence has grown.”
