Bezos Academy Expands to Arizona with Tuition-Free Preschools

News Summary

Bezos Academy is set to open multiple Montessori-style preschools in Arizona, specifically aimed at supporting low-income families. These tuition-free schools will serve children ages 3 to 5, providing meals and maintaining a small class size to enhance personalized learning. The initiative, which includes campuses in Glendale and Mesa, targets families earning below 400% of the federal poverty level, ensuring better access to early childhood education for those in need.

Arizona – Bezos Academy, established by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is set to expand its educational initiatives in Arizona with the opening of multiple Montessori-style, tuition-free preschools specifically designed for low-income families. The program aims to support families earning below 400% of the federal poverty level, which includes incomes up to approximately $128,600 for a family of four.

Two of the planned Bezos Academy locations will be situated in Glendale. The first is set to open within Desert Garden Elementary School in September, while the second location is currently under development with the Glendale Planning and Zoning Commission recommending its approval to the City Council. Additionally, three more campuses will open in Mesa at the same time as the Glendale locations.

The second Glendale campus will be located at the southwest corner of 65th Avenue and Alice Avenue, transforming approximately 7,800 square feet of unused residential space from a retirement home into five classrooms and administrative areas that include outdoor playgrounds for the children.

Program Details

Bezos Academy is targeting children aged 3 to 5 years old, providing meals including breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack at no cost to families. Each classroom will hold a maximum of 20 students, maintaining a student-to-teacher ratio of at least 1:10. This small class size is intended to foster a more personalized and supportive learning environment.

The curriculum implemented in these preschools will follow a Montessori-inspired methodology, which emphasizes children’s individual interests and encourages self-directed learning through a hands-on approach. Classes will operate five days a week for seven hours, and the educational content will encompass six learning areas: practical life, sensorial, math, language, science, and social studies.

Enrollment Process

Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year will be determined through a lottery system, prioritizing families with multiple eligible children. Applications must be submitted by May 2, although they will continue to be accepted beyond this date for subsequent years.

Community Impact

The Bezos Academy initiative aims to fill the educational gap for families classified as “working poor,” who earn just above the government support thresholds yet struggle to afford high-quality preschool education. By partnering with local school districts, Bezos Academy will facilitate smoother transitions for children progressing to kindergarten after completing the preschool program.

Glendale’s Mayor, Jerry Weiers, played a role in connecting Bezos Academy with local educational authorities to enhance the overall quality of early childhood education in the area. This initiative reflects a growing trend toward providing accessible educational opportunities for all children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Expansion and Existing Locations

Bezos Academy already has operating campuses in several states across the U.S., including Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Texas, and Washington. The expansion into Arizona showcases the organization’s commitment to developing early childhood education options tailored for low-income families and their children.

In conclusion, the expansion of Bezos Academy into Arizona represents a significant step towards providing essential educational resources to families in need. With easily accessible, tuition-free preschools, the program is poised to make a lasting impact on early childhood education in Glendale and Mesa.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• AZ Central: Bezos Academy in Glendale
• ABC15: Bezos Academy Opening in Arizona
• Hoodline: Bezos Academy Launch
• Kent Reporter: Bezos Academy Experience
• Wikipedia: Preschool