KLA Schools Franchise Opportunity

Company History

KLA Schools educational philosophy is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach, started by lifelong educator, innovator and creative philosopher, Loris Malaguzzi, in the Italian province of Reggio Emilia after World War II.

Loris Malaguzzi believed that "the wider the range of possibilities they offer children, the more intense will be their motivations and the richer their experiences. They must widen the range of topics and goals, the types of situations they offer and their degree of structure, the kinds and combinations of resources and materials, and the possible interactions with things, peers, and adults."

There are many independent Reggio Emilia inspired schools across America. But their founders, Roberto and Candelaria "Candy" Ortega, had the vision and resources to create a national franchise.

Roberto inherited his love and passion for education from his grandfather who founded two schools in Guayaquil, Ecuador, after having served as Ecuador's Minister of Education.

Candy grew up in Argentina and Brazil and came to the United States in 1994. She earned a child development Associates Degree and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration before becoming a Pre-K-3 teacher at a Reggio Emilia inspired school.

In early 2008, she attended a study group in Reggio Emilia, Italy which further inspired her and Roberto to open the first KLA School in Miami, Florida in 2008.

Now there are two thriving schools serving Dade and Broward counties. Roberto and Candy launched the KLA Schools Franchise program in 2009. Two additional schools are scheduled to open this year with the goal of expanding this proven concept nationally.

In 2009, Roberto and Candy engaged Jim Steger to consult on developing their franchise model. Jim was so impressed with the passion for excellence throughout the company that he joined KLA Schools Franchise in 2010 as Director of Franchising.

Jim has over 15 years of experience in the franchise industry. From 2001 to 2008 he was Vice President of Franchise and New Business.

This web page does not constitute a franchise offering or an offer to sell a franchise. A franchise offering can be made by us only in a state if we are first registered, excluded, exempted or otherwise qualified to offer franchises in that state, and only if we provide you with an appropriate franchise disclosure document.