While parents attend classes, their children develop the skills needed to be comfortable and successful in a school environment through free play, story times, arts and crafts, and culturally specific activities. They are encouraged to make decisions and express themselves in their native language as well as in English. Parents join their children daily for parent-child interaction, participating together in learning activities. Parents begin to understand the importance of their role as their children's first teachers. Goals include encouraging nurturing behavior between parents and children.
Many learners later report that they successfully repeat activities at home.
As both generations witness the other's educational pursuit, a strong impression of the importance of lifelong learning is formed. In 1995, the school was recognized by the Minnesota Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development as the Outstanding Educational Program of the year. Many refugees receive public assistance. Welfare reform limits the length of time benefits can be received and requires active efforts to obtain employment. FWE students attend intensive English classes 20 hours weekly.