Lightbridge Academy Continues Growth in Michigan by Breaking Ground in Ann Arbor

Lightbridge Academy’s Circle of Care Philosophy to Provide Trusted Early Childhood Education to New Michigan Families

March 25, 2026 // FranchisePR.com // Ann Arbor, Mich. — Lightbridge Academy®, The Solution for Working Families® and one of the fastest-growing early childhood education franchises, announces its continued expansion in the Michigan market with a new center coming to Ann Arbor, Michigan. The new center will be located at 3980 Ranchero Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48108 and is expected to open in 2026.

The new Lightbridge Academy location will provide Ann Arbor-area families with a nurturing, safe, and joyful early childhood education and care option for children ages as young as six weeks through pre-kindergarten and provide employment opportunities for local Michigan educators. Education programs are designed to support working families and their children during the most important developmental years.

“As a parent myself, I have spent a lot of time thinking about what families are really looking for when it comes to child care,” said Ashrith Kothapalli, franchise owner of Lightbridge Academy of Ann Arbor. “At the end of the day, parents want to know that their child is safe, cared for, and learning in an environment where they can grow. This new Ann Arbor location represents our passion for creating an environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn, while families feel confident knowing their children are in caring, capable hands.”

“At Lightbridge Academy, we strive to create a warm, nurturing environment that truly bridges the gap between home and school,” said Craig Murray, Chief Development Officer at Lightbridge Academy. “Through innovative curriculum and advanced technology, including our ParentView® Internet Monitoring system and the Lightbridge Journey App, families stay connected to their child’s day while educators focus on fostering each child’s academic, social, and emotional growth.”

Lightbridge Academy offers franchise owners comprehensive training and ongoing support, covering every aspect of the business—from cultivating company culture to managing daily operations and delivering curriculum excellence. Franchisees also benefit from dedicated business coaching, continuous operational guidance, and strategic marketing and advertising support.

As the second location in the state, Lightbridge Academy in Ann Arbor will further strengthen the brand’s growing footprint in Michigan. During site selection, the brand utilizes proprietary technology platforms and advanced analytics to identify communities with strong demand for high-quality early childhood education, ensuring each new center is well-positioned to serve local families.

To book a tour and learn more about Lightbridge Academy’s early childhood education programs in Ann Arbor, visit https://lightbridgeacademy.com/ann-arbor-mi/.

About Lightbridge Academy
Established in 1997, the company was founded as a family business based on core values and a Circle of Care philosophy that places equal importance on the needs of children, their families, teachers, center owners and the community. Lightbridge Academy, Innovators in Educational Child Care®, provides quality early education and child care programs to children aged six weeks through Kindergarten. The company currently has over 200 child care centers either open or in development throughout Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Lightbridge Promise also leads the industry as the Gold Standard for health & safety in the child care industry. In 2026, Lightbridge Academy was awarded the Franchise Business Reviews Franchisee Satisfaction Award and ranked #129 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list. In 2025, the brand ranked in Entrepreneur’s list of Top Brands for Multi-Unit Owner, was featured on Franchise Times Fast & Serious list, and ranked #248 in Franchise Times Top 400 list. For more information or to schedule a center tour, visit LightbridgeAcademy.com.

SOURCE Lightbridge Academy

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Media Contact:
Konnect Agency