Ivybrook Academy Ann Arbor

Our educators are not standing at the front of the room delivering lessons. They're beside the child, observing, documenting, and responding.

This is what it means to be a guide rather than a lecturer. Our teachers watch for the moments when a child is ready for a new challenge, and they introduce it at exactly the right time.

They document learning so they can tailor their approach to each student. They ask open-ended questions that encourage children to think deeper rather than simply giving answers.

The result is a classroom where every child is met where they are and gently encouraged to grow from there.

One of the greatest gifts of our school is the community we build together. When families join Ivybrook, they become more than members of our school; they become part of our family.

Earlier this year, we had the privilege of meeting the Ollis family as they searched for a preschool home for Berklie. From the very beginning, they inspired us with their strength, resilience, and determination to help their son thrive.

Since joining Ivybrook, Berklie has become a beloved part of our community. He has flourished in the classroom, building meaningful relationships with his teachers and peers and embracing all that school has to offer. His joy, perseverance, and growth have touched all of us.

The Ollis family's impact extends beyond the classroom. Amie helped launch our PTO and has been a dedicated partner in strengthening our school community. Now, as they face the challenge of Berklie's upcoming bone marrow transplant, they continue to demonstrate extraordinary courage and grace.

We invite you to learn more about the Ollis family's journey and keep them in your thoughts and prayers. If you are able, please consider making a donation to support Berklie's care and treatment.

💚 Support Berklie's Journey by donating to the Ollis Family GoFundMe (link in bio).

Thank you for helping us surround the Ollis family with love, encouragement, and support during this difficult season. We are grateful to be part of a community that cares so deeply for one another, and we know that every prayer, every donation, and every act of kindness will remind the Ollis family that they are not walking this journey alone.

One of the greatest gifts of our school is the community we build together. When families join Ivybrook, they become more than members of our school; they become part of our family.

Earlier this year, we had the privilege of meeting the Ollis family as they searched for a preschool home for Berklie. From the very beginning, they inspired us with their strength, resilience, and determination to help their son thrive.

Since joining Ivybrook, Berklie has become a beloved part of our community. He has flourished in the classroom, building meaningful relationships with his teachers and peers and embracing all that school has to offer. His joy, perseverance, and growth have touched all of us.

The Ollis family's impact extends beyond the classroom. Amie helped launch our PTO and has been a dedicated partner in strengthening our school community. Now, as they face the challenge of Berklie's upcoming bone marrow transplant, they continue to demonstrate extraordinary courage and grace.

We invite you to learn more about the Ollis family's journey and keep them in your thoughts and prayers. If you are able, please consider making a donation to support Berklie's care and treatment.

❤️ Support Berklie's Journey by donating to the Ollis Family GoFundMe:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-berklies-bone-marrow-transplant

Thank you for helping us surround the Ollis family with love, encouragement, and support during this difficult season. We are grateful to be part of a community that cares so deeply for one another, and we know that every prayer, every donation, and every act of kindness will remind the Ollis family that they are not walking this journey alone.

Meet our 2026–2027 Ivybrook team of educators 💚

Everyone is so excited for the new school year on Aug 31, 2026. We can't wait to watch your little ones learn and grow with us!

The learning environment at Ivybrook Academy is intentionally designed to teach.

Child-height shelves invite students to choose their own work. Defined areas for reading, building, and creating give children ownership of how they move through the classroom.

Every element is placed with purpose, designed to build independence, encourage focus, and support a child's ability to self-direct. When the environment does its job, children feel confident enough to take the lead in their own learning.

Is your child ready for preschool? Here is what readiness looks like.

Most parents focus on whether their child can sit still, follow directions perfectly, or separate without a single tear. While those milestones matter, they do not paint the full picture of early childhood development.

Here are a few true signs they may be ready:

‣ Interest in peers: They are beginning to show a genuine curiosity about other children.

‣ Basic communication: They can express their foundational needs through words, signs, or gestures.

‣ Emerging independence: They are starting to explore the world on their own terms, even in very small ways.

‣ Familiarity with rhythm: They have some experience following a daily routine, even a loose one at home.

If your child is not quite there yet, that is perfectly okay. Readiness is not a deadline. Every child arrives on their own unique timeline, and a thoughtful preschool environment is designed to meet them exactly where they are.

Last week we concluded our Summer Camp series with a Splash filled with a Dash of fun! The Splash & Dash camp allowed campers to explore water in playful ways—testing sink and float, discovering rainbow colors, creating watery art, experimenting with oil and water, creating bubble and chalk spray art, excavating treasures from ice, building boats, and creating 3 watercolor art and tie-dye butterflies!

Campers will also explored water and weather through hands-on science and playful creativity, testing wind vs. water power, experimenting with waterproof art supplies, watching water “walk,” observing how flowers drink water, and creating beautiful waterfall art!

And above all, campers had lots of time to enjoy fun outdoor water games - with sprinklers, water tubs, splash pads and spray bottles!

We thank all our Summer Camp families for making this summer such a great experience for us, and we look forward to continuing this exciting journey in our 2026-27 school year starting Aug 31st!

Enrollment for the Fall term in in full swing, with only a few spots remaining in each class. Book your tour to see how Ivybrook can bring joy to your preschoolers journey!

Call (734) 719-8184
Book a tour: https://bit.ly/ivybrookaatour

Preschool for toddlers at Ivybrook Academy looks like this.

For our youngest learners, the work of preschool is sensory and physical. They are pouring water between containers, learning to put on their own shoes, and discovering that one tool makes a mark different from another.

Every later academic skill, from handwriting to mathematical reasoning, starts here, with the hands.

Last weekend was a wonderful morning of wonder, discovery, and connection!🌿We were in downtown Ann Arbor in our Ivybrook Wonder Tent! We offered families a glimpse into our Reggio-inspired hands-on activities, and created a colorful Community Mural. Children investigated, created, questioned, and learned alongside their families.

At Ivybrook Academy, we believe the best learning happens when children are free to explore, create, and make meaning through real experiences. Watching curious minds engaged in the outdoors was a wonderful reminder of the power of intentional play.

💚 Curious about a preschool where learning begins with wonder? We’d love to meet you.

Book at tour today to experience the Ivybrook difference: https://bit.ly/ivybrookaatour

Discovery enrichment is built into the fabric of every day.

We believe that a complete early childhood education requires consistent, daily exposure to a wide variety of disciplines. That's why our curriculum allows every child to experience:

‣ Spanish for early language acquisition.

‣ Music to build rhythm and literacy foundations.

‣ Movement to support focus and gross motor development.

‣ Art for open-ended, authentic creative expression.

‣ Literacy in individualized and small-group settings.

At Ivybrook, enrichment is the standard for how young children naturally learn, grow, and experience the world.