Bezos Academies hope to fill need for pre-school gap in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Three new tuition-free pre-schools are on track to open in Louisville, with the backing of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Bezos Academy offers a Montessori-based, or hands on, education, and wrap around services for children from low-income families. The schools offer year-round education that is tuition-free, full day, and five days a week.

"It's a game changer for our community," said Christi Lanier-Robinson, the Vice President of Communications and Partnerships.

Louisville-based LDG Development has partnered with Bezos Academy to bring their facilities to Louisville.

LDG Development's foundation has donated the land and will build the site. Bezos Academy will provide the rest.

"Bezos Academy comes in, outfits it, staffs it, and provides high quality education to three to five-year-olds," Lanier-Robinson said.

The first location, already under construction, is in Okolona. A second location will be built in the Russell neighborhood. A third location is coming, but site location has not been announced yet.

In addition to providing a tuition-free education, students will also receive access to wellness care.

"They provide on-site screenings, vision, dental screenings, all the things that little ones need to make sure they're healthy," she said.  

Students will be admitted on a lottery-based system, but priority will go to students who experience homelessness or are in foster care.

"This is a community resource," Lanier-Robinson said.

Lanier-Robinson said the two organizations share similar values to provide extra support and hope this bridges a gap, and gives more students an opportunity to attend pre-school.

"Unfortunately, Kentucky does not offer universal pre-school, pre-k, and we know there are many families who don't qualify, and they make too much for head start, but not quite enough to provide access to childcare," said Lanier-Robinson. "The great thing about Bezos Academy is that everything starts and ends with the child in mind."

Students will be provided two meals a day, as well as a snack and dinner to take home.

"We want to make sure a kid has everything they need, working with Mom, Dad and community partners and have everything they need to succeed," Lanier-Robinson said.

Bezos Academy's Okolona and Russell locations are expected to open in 2025.

Bezos Academy also has schools in Florida, Hawaii, Texas and Washington.