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Ivybrook Academy Marks Two Decades of Preschool Growth

From a single classroom in Weddington, North Carolina, to a network spanning 22 states, Ivybrook Academy is celebrating 20 years of operations. The preschool franchise, which blends Montessori and Reggio Emilia philosophies into a half-day model, now oversees 54 active locations with dozens more in development.

Ivybrook Academy Marks Two Decades of Preschool Growth
Photo: Bio & News

Founders Drew and Jennifer McWilliams launched the brand in 2006 with a specific mandate: provide an environment where children could develop at their own pace. Their model, which emphasizes social-emotional growth alongside academic readiness, has found a consistent market niche. The company currently has 40 additional units sold, signaling sustained demand for their proprietary, enrichment-based curriculum for children aged 18 months to 6 years.

The organization’s expansion has earned it a recurring spot on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list for five consecutive years, reaching the 429th position in 2026. Despite the shift from a local startup to a national entity, the founders maintain that their core objective remains unchanged from the goals Jennifer McWilliams documented in a time capsule during the school's inaugural year. As the academy moves into its third decade, the focus remains on scaling its personalized, small-class-size approach to new regions while retaining the child-centered philosophy that defined its origin.

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