Charlotte Preschools

First Ward Creative Arts Academy is an elementary school which specializes in arts integrated learning experiential learning across all curriculum using elements of dance, music, theatre arts, and visual arts. All students are exposed to daily specialized instruction in each area of the arts. Classroom teachers and professional facilitators guide the students along their journey through partnerships with the arts and science. First Ward CAA addresses students' interests, skills, and abilities in the arts. This program enhances academic achievement and encourages excellence in the development of students' special talents and passions for the arts. The arts are presented as an integral part of a strong academic program. Our program, like all programs in CMS, are being written to address the Common Core and Essential Standards.

First Ward is located in uptown Charlotte in one of the oldest and culturally diverse communities in Charlotte. We are a community that enjoys a high level of family and community involvement and one that works collaboratively with families from diverse areas of Mecklenburg County to develop a common vision for our students. Our facility presents an inviting and warm environment that is conducive to student learning. With many highly qualified staff, dedicated community members, and a beautiful facility, First Ward Creative Arts Academy is an exciting place for all of our students to come and learn.

Pathway Preschool Ctr is a church-affiliated child care center that offers early care and education programs for pre-kindergarten students. The company's mission is to provide kids with various learning opportunities that will support their growth and development. Pathway Preschool Ctr is open daily from 6:30 A.M. to 6:30 P.M.

Offer Infant to After school Care. First and Second Shift.

Kidz Are Fun Child Development Center #1 offers center-based and full-time child care and early education services designed for young children. Located at 4300 Freedom Dr, the company serves families living in the Charlotte, NC area. Kidz Are Fun Child Development Center #1has served the community since they opened in 2002.

Lockwood Development Center offers center-based and full-time child care and early education services designed for young children. Located at 210 Plymouth Ave, the company serves families living in the Charlotte, NC area. Lockwood Development Center is fully licensed to accommodate 29 children.

Knowledge is Power Inc offers a structured literacy program designed for kindergarten up to school-age children. Located in Charlotte, NC, the company also provides early child care services for infants and preschoolers. Knowledge is Power Inc also offers extended day programs and after-school tutorial services.

First United Methodist Child Development Center is a 5 Star facility licensed by the state of North Carolina. We are an outreach ministry of the church, serving the children of working families in the uptown community. Our Center provides a full day, developmentally appropriate program for children ages 6 weeks through entrance into kindergarten. Our staff are degreed and have the knowledge necessary to offer age appropriate activities and skills to the children in our care. Along with the academics, special activities are planned each week and are offered onsite. Spanish, gymnastics, music, computer training and chapel are all part of the weekly routine and are included in the tuition fee.
We are a very diverse school, with 5-10% of our population having tuition subsidized by the state, and ethnically are represented by approximately 12 different countries. When children are enrolled at First Methodist, they see the world! The experiences that are shared are ones that will last a lifetime!

Our school is also a training site for Central Piedmont Community College and other state universities for individuals needing student teaching experiences prior to receiving their degrees.

Our mission as educators is to provide top quality care on behalf of the families in our program. The way we accomplish this is to employ top quality educators that love children while teaching and learning themselves. Our main goal is to provide each child a nurturing learning environment. Without dedicated employees, First United Methodist Child Development Center would be just another ordinary child care facility. We are much more because we have high expectations of our team members-we exceed the ordinary. We take pride in our place of work. We are all very important to maintaining a quality program.

The First United Methodist Child Development Center is a Five (5) Star Rated school. The Star Rated System is determined by two components: Program Standards and Education Standards. Combining the score of both components determine our center's Star Rating.

Through a carefully designed system of education and developmental support, we prepare children for school success that leads toward a bright and productive future. Programs address a variety of needs to ensure the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of each child within our extended family.

Utilizing evidence-based curricula, the agency's carefully aligned child development programs are integrated with family education components that reach out to strengthen entire families and connect them across the broader community. The Thompson program helps develop skill-sets that support positive social, emotional and self-regulatory behaviors. Ongoing communications foster respectful partnerships between staff, families and children.

Program highlights include:

- quality learning environment
- low teacher/child ratios
- natural playscape and gardens
- art and music program
- child-friendly settings
- learning garden
- fresh, from scratch meals
- caring professional staff
- on-site therapeutic services-Speech and Occupational Therapy, Inclusion Support
- affordable, competitive rates

Irwin Academic Center (formerly known as Villa Heights) is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. We are located within Mecklenburg County, just minutes from uptown. Our school houses six grade levels which includes kindergarten through fifth grade. Our enrollment is about 550 students. Irwin is the only CMS full magnet program for Learning Immersion (K-2) and Talent Development (Academically Gifted-grades 3-5) students. Both programs are accelerated and offer students rigorous and academically challenging curricula. Students are enrolled by entering a school lottery drawing which is held in early spring.

The Villa Heights' program, which is now at Irwin, has been consistently recognized as an "Honor School of Excellence" under the state's ABC goals. It has also been recognized by the state School Board and Hunt Institute for its academic honors. Student honors have included state chess champions, state math fair champions, regional science fair winners, Science Olympiad champions, and an Odyssey of the Mind team that participated in the world finals two years in a row.

Our mission is to foster high academic achievement and the growth of creative and critical thinkers, lifelong learners, involved citizens, and 21st century problem solvers by providing a nurturing, challenging, and innovative program that engages gifted and talented students, their families, and the community.

Our vision is to become a model of excellence in the education of gifted and talented students.

Allenbrook Elementary is a Project LIFT school situated in a cozy neighborhood just ten minutes from uptown Charlotte. We have a diverse student population and a dedicated teaching staff. Our school can provide all of the resources students need to be successful in the 21st century. We have

highly qualified faculty including nationally board certified teachers and individuals recognized for their dramatic impact on student learning

student support personnel including a counselor, social worker, and BMT who can make the social-emotional needs of students.

a family advocate focused on improving the home/school connection

technology tools including xo laptops for every second through fifth grade student.

a wide range of arts programming including special assemblies and field trips

after school enrichment programming including the beat keepers choir, girls on the run and bell after school program

partnerships with community organizations such as a child s place and communities in schools