May 10th 2024.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has recently announced the opening of 10 new locations for his chain of tuition-free Montessori-inspired preschools in the state of Texas. According to WFAA, parents can now enroll their children in these schools for free, with a particular focus on finding students for the new locations. The current campuses are located in Old East Dallas, North Dallas, Lancaster, and Cockrell Hill, with plans for expansion in Denton, Oak Cliff, Houston, and San Antonio.
This chain of schools, which also has locations in Washington, Kentucky, and Florida, holds a special significance for Bezos. Having received a Montessori preschool education himself, he strongly believes in its effectiveness and wants to pay homage to it through this venture. Allison Leader, a spokesperson for Bezos Academy, shared that Bezos often credits his early education for setting him and his family up for success. Therefore, it was no surprise that this was at the top of his list when deciding how to use his wealth.
The schools operate five days a week and cater to children aged three to five years old. Families with an annual income under $120,000 can enroll their child through a lottery selection process, as explained by Kanetria Doolin, the director of the North Dallas location. Leader also highlighted that nearly half of the children in this age group in the U.S. are not enrolled in preschool, mainly due to accessibility and affordability issues. With the expansion of Bezos Academy, they aim to address these concerns and offer a solution for families who cannot afford traditional preschools in their area.
The recent expansion in Texas follows the opening of a third school in Louisville, Kentucky, in March. Bezos Academy covers all operating costs, including training, developing, and paying educators, as well as providing all necessary supplies for the students, such as meals and snacks throughout the day. The Fairdale neighborhood in Louisville, where the new school is located, has been grateful for this opportunity. Councilman Dan Seum Jr. expressed his gratitude, stating that this is a "win-win situation" for the community and the city.
Applications for Bezos Academy are currently open until Monday, May 13. This news comes after another act of generosity from a prominent figure, as NFL player Jalen Hurts recently donated $200,000 to Philadelphia schools for air conditioning units. It is heartening to see individuals using their wealth for the betterment of society, and hopefully, more will follow in their footsteps.
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