Come October, and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos will throw open to low-income families doors to the maiden Bezos Academy. Inspired by the Montessori model, the preschool aims to provide free education to children hailing from families that can’t afford one. And here’s what we know about it.
Where?
To launch on October 19th, the first of an expected string of preschools will open in Des Moines, Iowa, the United States. The ball first started rolling with Bezos’ announcement of the $2 billion Bezos Day One Fund. The said Fun has a dual purpose – firstly to empower other non-profits who work with homeless families. Secondly, to launch and operate a network of high-quality, full-scholarship Montessori-inspired preschools in underserved communities. With a dozen students in the first batch, the preschool is set to open for in-class interaction.
How?
The preschools will operate with a number of collaborations with local organisations and businesses. Such associations, in order to understand the community better in order to deliver high-quality preschools in the respective neighborhoods. The preschool will have a year round curriculum and will function five days a week. The school seeks to engage children between 3 and 5 years of age, from backgrounds that have been screened for their income levels, participation in free and reduced-cost meal programs, and gaps in access to licensed childcare providers
The Day 1 Academies Fund (along with the Day 1 Families Fund) will be handled by the parent organization, The Bezos Day One Fund, announced back in 2018.
0 Comments