Marymount University recently celebrated the debut of its Early Learning Academy, marking “a significant milestone for the institution as it unveiled a state-of-the-art facility designed to cater to the educational needs of young children,” university officials said.
Joining Marymount president Irma Becerra, board of trustees chair Peter Converse and other university personnel and academy staff were Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Rogstad Guidera, state Sen. Barbara Favola and County Board member Matt de Ferranti.
Launched last fall, the Early Learning Academy aims to address the growing demand for quality early childhood education while providing a nurturing environment for children’s development. Preschoolers are exposed to learning through imagination, creativity and individualized opportunities, university officials said.
“With our lab-school model, children can explore literacy and language, STEM, the arts, music, movement, nature and more in a safe and caring environment that fosters cognitive, emotional, physical and social growth,” Becerra said.
Forty-seven students currently are enrolled in the academy’s inaugural class, and more students will join in April.
“Our Early Learning Academy infuses all the available campus resources of a nationally ranked university into supporting young minds,” Becerra said.
Guidera echoed those sentiments, stressing the significance of laying a strong foundation for children’s education during their formative years so they are kindergarten-ready and prepared for a thriving future.
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