Baltimore educator launches family-centered learning pilot for children and mothers

Baltimore native Alia Raquel Cenales has launched The Foundation Series, a six-week pilot that combines early learning for children ages 2-8 with weekly community sessions for mothers. The program is a test run for L&Lé Society Co-Op ahead of a planned Fall 2026 launch, with only 25 families accepted.

Why it matters: - The Foundation Series is built to serve children and mothers together, not as separate services. - The model aims to pair early learning with parent support, which could appeal to families looking for alternatives to traditional childcare and camp programs. - The pilot is a foundation for L&Lé Society Co-Op, which is slated for a Fall 2026 launch.

What happened: - Baltimore educator and former preschool teacher Alia Raquel Cenales launched The Foundation Series on July 13 through L&Lé Society Co-Op in partnership with Our House Baltimore. - The six-week pilot runs July 13 through August 17, 2026, at Our House Baltimore. - The program serves children ages 2-8 and includes a parallel experience for mothers. - L&Lé Society is also accepting interest in its official announcement.

The details: - The Foundation Series is structured as a cohort-based learning experience, not a drop-in activity or traditional camp. - Children are grouped into three age cohorts: Innovators for ages 2-3, Pioneers for ages 4-5, and Trailblazers for ages 6-8. - Families receive weekly Discovery Kits meant to extend learning into the home. - Mothers participate in Society Gathers, weekly facilitated conversations focused on relationships, support networks and community. - The pilot is limited to 25 families. - Tuition is $450 per child. - Payment plans and sibling discounts are available.

Between the lines: - Cenales is positioning L&Lé Society around a broader view of child development that includes the well-being of mothers. - The pilot reflects a growing demand for education models that combine academics, community and family support in one setting. - Limiting enrollment to 25 families suggests the program is prioritizing intimacy and relationship-building over scale.

What's next: - L&Lé Society Co-Op is expected to officially launch in Fall 2026. - The pilot will likely help shape the co-op’s final structure, family engagement model and program offerings. - L&Lé Society says the organization will continue building spaces where mothers and children can learn and grow together.

The bottom line: - The Foundation Series is both an early-childhood pilot and a test of a family-centered education model that treats parent support as part of student success.