Ivybrook Academy Celebrates 20 Years of Early Childhood Education

August 18, 2026 // FranchisePR.com // CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Ivybrook Academy is celebrating 20 years of providing personalized early learning experiences to children and families. What began as a single Charlotte-area preschool has since grown into a national franchise network with locations across the country.

Founded in 2006 by Drew and Jennifer McWilliams, Ivybrook Academy was created with a vision to provide children with a learning environment where they could explore, build confidence, and develop at their own pace. The McWilliams introduced a half-day preschool model designed around individualized learning, hands-on experiences, and developmentally appropriate education.

Today, Ivybrook Academy has grown to 54 open locations across 22 states. An additional 40 locations have been sold.

“When we opened our first school 20 years ago, we wanted to create an early learning environment where children felt known and supported,” said Drew McWilliams, co-founder of Ivybrook Academy. “Seeing that vision expand from one preschool into a national community of schools, educators, and families has been incredibly rewarding. We’re proud of the foundation we’ve built and excited for the future of Ivybrook Academy.”

Over the past two decades, Ivybrook Academy has grown alongside an evolving early childhood education landscape, as families have placed greater emphasis on independence, creativity, and social-emotional development.

The brand’s original vision remains rooted in its earliest days. Shortly after opening the first school, Jennifer placed a letter into a time capsule reflecting on the opening of the first school and her hope that Ivybrook Academy’s approach would positively impact more children and families in the future. That vision has since expanded into a nationwide network while maintaining the same commitment to child-centered learning.

“From the beginning, we believed children thrive when they are given the opportunity to learn in ways that are meaningful to them,” said Jennifer McWilliams, co-founder of Ivybrook Academy. “Twenty years later, that belief continues to guide our classrooms and our commitment to creating environments where children can grow, explore, and develop a lifelong love of learning.”

As Ivybrook Academy enters its next 20 years, the organization continues to provide early learning experiences that have defined it since its founding.

SOURCE Ivybrook Academy