Bezos Academy Pacific Beach, part of the larger network of Bezos Academy preschools, is on a mission to provide every child with a strong start in life through high-quality preschool education. The academy, founded to address the accessibility and affordability challenges faced by preschool-aged children and their families, aims to ensure that every child has access to quality early education regardless of their socioeconomic background.
“Unfortunately, only half of 3- and 4-year-old children in the U.S. are enrolled in preschool,” says Allison Leader, director of external communications at Bezos Academy. “The two main reasons for that are affordability and accessibility. That’s what we’re working to fix.”
Grays Harbor Preschools and Investing in Children
Bezos Academy Pacific Beach opened in Fall 2021, initially offering room for 20 children. Through a partnership with the North Beach School District, Bezos Academy has grown the school and made strong connections with the Gray’s Harbor community. “This collaboration,” says Leader, “has allowed us to expand our reach and provide quality early childhood education to more families.”
Currently, there are 19 Bezos Academy preschools in communities around the United States, including 8 in Washington State. Bezos Academy offers year-round programming, five days a week. The Montessori-inspired preschool covers the cost of everything students need to learn and grow, including three meals a day, snacks, classroom materials, and field trips.
At Bezos Academy, each child’s journey is supported by a dedicated team of educators trained in the Montessori method with an emphasis on personalized learning experiences. The curriculum is designed to prepare children academically while nurturing social-emotional development, critical thinking skills, and a lifelong love for exploration and discovery.
Bezos Academy: Open Applications
Right now, families are encouraged to explore Bezos Academy’s open application process, which is designed to be easy and quick. Typically, new students are admitted through a random lottery drawing. However, Bezos Academy is currently taking enrollment on a day-by-day basis for Bezos Academy Pacific Beach. This means applications will be reviewed as received.
Eligibility is straightforward: Families earning up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (approximately $125,000 per year for a family of four) are welcome to apply.
“This requirement allows us to serve a broad base of families,” says Leader, “including those who qualify for fully subsidized programs like Head Start but can’t find available seats, and families who earn slightly too much to qualify for those programs but cannot afford preschool tuition.”
Ensuring Equal Access to Preschool in Grays Harbor
“Bezos Academy recognizes every community is unique and welcomes all children and families, inclusive of every race, identity, language, immigration status, family background and beyond,” says Leader. “All families who meet our eligibility requirement are encouraged to apply. Our random lottery ensures equitable access, although we do give preference to students in foster care or who are experiencing homelessness.”
A wide range of language options and resources are available to make the application process easy and accessible to families. Interpreters are available to assist in the process and can be reached at enroll@bezosacademy.org or by phone at 833.560.2221. “We maintain open communication regarding application status and notify families promptly about their application outcomes,” says Leader, “whether offering a seat or placing them on a waitlist.”
Supporting local communities, including children and families from diverse cultures, is fundamental to the mission at Bezos Academy. At Bezos Academy Pacific Beach, over half of the students served last year were members of the Quinault Nation.
“Our preschools are home to families speaking over 50 different languages,” says Leader. “Our commitment to cultural inclusion is reflected in events like the Quinault Cultural Graduation Ceremony, where our President, Mike George, joined children and local preschoolers in celebrating their heritage.”
Preschool with a Focus on Social and Emotional Development
The social-emotional well-being of every child is foundational to the curriculum at Bezos Academy and the Montessori method. Developmentally appropriate social-emotional learning, supporting children in expressing, understanding, and responding to emotions is facilitated daily. “Our Montessori-credentialed teachers guide students to build relationships, make friends, set goals, build confidence, and make effective decisions,” says Leader. “We take the time to know each child and family, nurturing each child’s culture and strengths to foster a sense of well-being.”
As the academy continues to grow and expand its reach, it remains committed to its core mission of providing high-quality early education that is accessible to all. “We believe all children deserve the great start that an excellent preschool provides,” says Mike George, president of Bezos Academy. “We’re honored by the opportunity to nurture the potential in the children of Pacific Beach to become creative leaders, original thinkers, and lifelong learners.”
