Ivybrook Academy Sterling

10/14/2026

10/12/2026

The transition into preschool is a transition for the whole family.

We approach the parent relationship with the same intentionality we bring to the classroom. That means keeping families informed not just about what children are doing, but about why, and what it means for their development.

When a parent understands that their child's insistence on pouring their own water is a Montessori independence milestone, that changes how they respond at home. When a family can see their child's project documentation on the classroom wall, the school day becomes a shared experience, not a gap in the day they have to fill in with questions at pickup.

We build that connection on purpose, because a child whose home and school are aligned has a significant advantage.

10/09/2026

Weekend well spent! 🚑✅ This past Saturday, our team completed CPR & First Aid recertification training, sharpening essential skills and reaffirming our commitment to keeping our students safe every day. ❤

10/06/2026

Career Week at Ivybrook!

Our little learners are having so much fun exploring different careers this week! We’re excited to welcome some of our Ivybrook parents into the classroom to share about what they do and give our children a chance to learn, ask questions, and explore.

Thank you to our amazing parents for joining us and making Career Week so special!

10/05/2026

Reading readiness begins long before a child can identify a single letter.

It begins when an educator pauses during a read-aloud to ask what a child thinks will happen next. It begins when a child learns to hear the difference between rhyming words. It begins in the daily rhythm of conversation, storytelling, and language that gives words meaning before they ever appear on a page.

At Ivybrook, early literacy is woven into every part of the school day. Our small-group, leveled literacy instruction meets each child where they are developmentally, so no child is pushed past their readiness or held back from it.

The goal is not early readers. It is confident, joyful ones.

09/28/2026

Early childhood research consistently supports what educators observe firsthand: children learn differently outside.

The outdoor environment offers natural opportunities for gross motor development, risk assessment, scientific observation, and collaborative problem-solving. These are not incidental. We build them into how we use outdoor time.

A child who sorts leaves by shape is practicing classification. A child who builds a dam in a puddle is exploring engineering. A child who notices a bird's nest and wants to know more is practicing the same inquiry cycle that drives every great discovery.

We take the learning outside because the world is one of the best classrooms available.

09/24/2026

Following their curiosity and learning through hands-on experiences. Every little discovery is a step toward becoming a confident learner.

Want to see what a day at Ivybrook looks like? Come visit us! We’d love to meet your family!

09/21/2026

Most preschool-age children ask dozens of questions every day. The way adults respond to those questions shapes how children think.

At Ivybrook Academy, our educators respond to curiosity with curiosity. Rather than providing answers, they ask questions that push thinking deeper. Rather than correcting, they invite investigation.

This is one of the foundational principles of the Reggio Emilia approach: the educator as a collaborator in learning, not a dispenser of information.

When children experience their questions being taken seriously, they develop the confidence to keep asking them. That is where critical thinking begins.