About
Sol de Berkeley After School Programs includes cultural events, songs, stories, play, and interactive learning. The program also offers mentorships, mental health support, individualized academic support, and help with reading and math. Spanish and English are integrated into daily activities through immersive language modeling.
• Ages: 4.9–10 years old
• Schedule: After-school care during the academic year, full-time care on school holidays, and a full-day summer program
Sol de Berkeley After School Programs is part of BAHIA, which was established in 1975 and uses a play-based curriculum that is age-appropriate, meets the developmental needs of children, and follows the Learning Foundations. The organization focuses on dual-language learning in English and Spanish and celebrates Spanish-speaking cultures through cultural events. The stated goal is to provide a nurturing, enriching space where children grow academically, socially, and confidently in a supportive bilingual setting.
The leadership team includes Jorge Lopez as Executive Director, Diana Acosta-Leja as Site Supervisor, Yanci Lucero as Senior Program Director, and Paulina Alcaraz as Site Supervisor for Sol de Berkeley. Under Jorge Lopez’s leadership at Amethod Public Schools, the organization received the National Blue-Ribbon School Award from the U.S. Department of Education, multiple California Department of Education Title I Academic Achievement Awards, multiple California Department of Education Distinguished School Awards, and the California Charter Schools Association’s Charter School of the Year recognition.
Diana Acosta-Leja is a fully bilingual educator with 17 years of experience in preschool and school-age education, is certified as a CLASS observer for preschool, holds an AA in Child Development, and is pursuing an AA in Psychology. Yanci Lucero has over 18 years of experience in early childhood education, specializing in preschool settings, with expertise in curriculum development, staff training, and educational leadership.
Sol de Berkeley has partnerships with the City of Berkeley, Berkeley Unified School District, Lawrence Hall of Science, and UC Berkeley’s Public Service Center–BUILD tutors. Through its partnership with Berkeley Unified School District, Sylvia Mendez Elementary, Rosa Parks Elementary, Thousand Oaks Elementary, and Berkeley Arts Magnet offer transportation to the center on a limited basis. The mission of BAHIA is to foster lifelong learners through a play-based curriculum that promotes critical thinking, cultural pride, and self-confidence.
Last updated March 16, 2026.
• Ages: 4.9–10 years old
• Schedule: After-school care during the academic year, full-time care on school holidays, and a full-day summer program
Sol de Berkeley After School Programs is part of BAHIA, which was established in 1975 and uses a play-based curriculum that is age-appropriate, meets the developmental needs of children, and follows the Learning Foundations. The organization focuses on dual-language learning in English and Spanish and celebrates Spanish-speaking cultures through cultural events. The stated goal is to provide a nurturing, enriching space where children grow academically, socially, and confidently in a supportive bilingual setting.
The leadership team includes Jorge Lopez as Executive Director, Diana Acosta-Leja as Site Supervisor, Yanci Lucero as Senior Program Director, and Paulina Alcaraz as Site Supervisor for Sol de Berkeley. Under Jorge Lopez’s leadership at Amethod Public Schools, the organization received the National Blue-Ribbon School Award from the U.S. Department of Education, multiple California Department of Education Title I Academic Achievement Awards, multiple California Department of Education Distinguished School Awards, and the California Charter Schools Association’s Charter School of the Year recognition.
Diana Acosta-Leja is a fully bilingual educator with 17 years of experience in preschool and school-age education, is certified as a CLASS observer for preschool, holds an AA in Child Development, and is pursuing an AA in Psychology. Yanci Lucero has over 18 years of experience in early childhood education, specializing in preschool settings, with expertise in curriculum development, staff training, and educational leadership.
Sol de Berkeley has partnerships with the City of Berkeley, Berkeley Unified School District, Lawrence Hall of Science, and UC Berkeley’s Public Service Center–BUILD tutors. Through its partnership with Berkeley Unified School District, Sylvia Mendez Elementary, Rosa Parks Elementary, Thousand Oaks Elementary, and Berkeley Arts Magnet offer transportation to the center on a limited basis. The mission of BAHIA is to foster lifelong learners through a play-based curriculum that promotes critical thinking, cultural pride, and self-confidence.
Last updated March 16, 2026.
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