Ivybrook Academy Solon

08/26/2026

A little more time, for the families who want it.

Afternoon Enrichment is now open!

Lunch together, then an afternoon with an Ivybrook Lead Educator doing the kind of work our children already love.

Monday through Friday, 12:00 to 2:30, for children three and up who join us in the morning. Pick the days that fit your family.

Come see our beautiful new space, and learn about our curriculum rooted in Montessori and Reggio Emilia. Call/text us at (440) 528-0884 or email [email protected]. We would love to meet you!

Discover Ivybrook Academy Solon in the Cleveland, Ohio community, where we blend Montessori and Reggio Emilia philosophies to inspire lifelong learning in our half-day preschool. Learn about our dedicated educators, nurturing environment, and child-centered approach.

08/24/2026

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.

08/17/2026

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.

08/10/2026

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.

08/03/2026

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.

07/28/2026

Last week, Ivybrook Academy Solon officially opened its doors.

Thank you to everyone who came. The sidewalk was full, the lobby was louder than anyone expected, and in about ninety seconds this building stopped being a construction project and became a school.

We are grateful to Mayor Kraus and the City of Solon Ohio for welcoming us as neighbors from the very first conversation. Thank you to Saevar Thordarson, Marilyn McMillin and the Solon Chamber of Commerce for standing with us at the ribbon.

And to the families who spent their morning with us: thank you for bringing your children, your parents, and your neighbors. What happened in the classrooms afterward is what we will remember most. Small hands scooping, pouring, drawing, building, figuring things out.

Solon, we are honored to be here.

Photo Credit: Kaylin Joy Photography

07/27/2026

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.

07/22/2026

This week at Ivybrook Academy Summer Camp, we've been going wild with our "It's a Jungle!" theme! 🌿🦜🐒

Our campers have been exploring the incredible world of jungle animals, learning about their unique traits and habitats while bringing their discoveries to life through hands-on experiences. From creating art inspired by colorful stripes and textured scales to working together on one giant classroom Kapok tree, creativity has been blooming around every corner.

We've also become little scientists by exploring how rain travels from the sky to the earth, enjoyed meaningful time in our outdoor classroom, and discovered all the exciting materials our learning environments have to offer.

But perhaps the best part of all has been watching new friendships grow and seeing the wonderful connections our children are building with one another and their teachers. These moments of curiosity, collaboration, and joy are what make Summer Camp at Ivybrook so special. 💚

07/20/2026

Preschool readiness is not just about your child. It is about you, too.

Most parents underestimate the emotional shift of this milestone. Sending a child to school for the first time is a major transition for the entire family.

Signs you are ready:

‣ You have processed that the first few drop-offs may be hard but your child will find their new routine
‣ You trust your child to have experiences you won't witness
‣ You are clear about what you want them to gain (not just supervised)
‣ You are excited to see your child at pickup, bubbling with excitement about their own day

Touring a preschool is one of the best ways to know if you're ready. You learn as much about yourself as you do about the school.

07/19/2026

We made the news, Solon! 📰

This week the Cleveland Jewish News featured Ivybrook Academy Solon as we prepare to open our doors, and the story captured exactly what we've been building for our community.

Ivybrook brings a genuinely different approach to early childhood education: a half-day model designed to be developmentally right for young children, a hybrid curriculum drawing on Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and the theory of multiple intelligences, and small group work that lets us individualize learning for every child from 18 months through 6 years. The space itself was designed with intention, with calm tones, natural wood, and greenery that help children focus and feel at home.

We would love for you to be part of these early days:
🗓️ Grand opening celebration: Wednesday, July 23rd at 4:15pm
🍎 First day of school: August 17th

Read the full story and schedule a tour to see our classrooms in person. We can't wait to meet your family.

Ivybrook Academy, a preschool that started as a single location in North Carolina in 2007 and has now expanded to 59 locations across the United States, looks for communities that