School gets an 'A'
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 2, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Addison Sigmon, 3, left, and Emma Lancaster, 3, play patty cake on top of the dragon playground equipment at Brighton Academy preschool on Wednesday morning. The preschool recently achieved APPLE Accreditation for its innovative and advanced curriculum.
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Brayden Lawson, 4, left, and Savannah Davis, 4, raise their hands high to answer questions in their preschool class. The school's curriculum teaches children advanced lessons such as learning presidents and memorizing the states.
One of Wayne County's newest preschool options known for its "creative curriculum" and education strategies has received accreditation status.
Brighton Academy on Glenda's Drive, which opened four years ago, in January 2011, has become one of the first schools in the state to earn the APPLE accreditation.
APPLE, an acronym for Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment, is currently offered in Florida, North Carolina, Minnesota and Oklahoma to bring best practices in early childhood education and development by building a foundation of learning skills that will last a lifetime.
Jacqui Lippold, Brighton owner and director, has more than 25 years of experience working in early childhood education, both in Florida and North Carolina.
"I believe each child is a unique individual," she said. "We pay special attention to the social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs of all our children. We strive each day to provide the best early childhood education experience to give children the best possible start in life."
The center currently has about 110 students, from infancy to age 6, as well as an after school program that caters to students up to age 12.
Since it deals with a large range of developmental stages, staff incorporate "multiple curriculums" in their lesson plans.
"In Pre-K, for example, they need to know all the presidents, states in alphabetical order, to the point where they can walk up to a blank map and point them out. They're just sponges," Ms. Lippold said. "It's a little bit more of an aggressive curriculum."
She said she became familiar with the APPLE accreditation while working in Florida but was reluctant to apply for it in North Carolina, since she was unsure if it would comply with the state's regulations and requirements.
She discovered, though, that the organization was a good fit, as APPLE traditionally works with faith-based schools, Montessori, learning enrichment centers and traditional preschools.
"Now that I am accredited, I know I made the right decision, not only because APPLE accreditation is a gold standard for early learning, but they actually understand our business, too," she said. "Their support team was there every step of the way."
The accreditation process involved a voluntary self-study, with the director and staff developing a 1,000-page portfolio of documented best practices, and an on-site visit conducted by APPLE representatives.
The accreditation status is valid for three years, Ms. Lippold said.