Houston Republic

Community members, elected officials and Bezos leadership joined Mayor Turner to celebrate the grand opening of Houston’s fourth Bezos Academy location, located within the New Hope Housing Reed Family Center in South Houston. The fourth Bezos Academy which offers tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschool education for children ages 3-5, has already achieved full enrollment for the upcoming 2023-24 school year.

“The City’s partnership with the Bezos Academy has been transformative and pivotal when it comes to the futures of Houston’s children,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Investing in our children’s education is key to our City’s bright future.”

These preschools are the result of a successful partnership between Bezos Academy and the Mayor’s Office of Education and Youth Engagement and the fulfillment of a promise to establish four early childhood education centers in Houston. The Mayor’s Office of Education and Youth Engagement provides educational opportunities to every child as demonstrated through their efforts to become the first UNICEF Child Friendly City in the United States.

This partnership is committed to addressing education disparities in Houston, particularly in historically under-resourced communities as identified by the Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities. Early childhood education plays a critical role in developing social, emotional, and communication skills, while also laying the foundation for essential pre-literacy and mathematical skills. Studies consistently demonstrate that children with access to high-quality early education and programming are more likely to complete high school successfully, experience fewer instances of suspension, substance-related issues, and arrests, and achieve greater success in employment. Moreover, the placement of childhood education centers has a direct, positive correlation with the surrounding neighborhoods, contributing to economic growth and development.

This new addition to the Bezos Academy network joins three existing Bezos Academy locations: the Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, the Community Family Center Building in Magnolia Park, and the San Jacinto College North Campus in North Shore. All four sites offer year-round programming, five days a week and provide essential resources such as daily meals.

While the New Hope Housing Reed Family Center in South Houston has reached full enrollment for the 2023-24 school year, interested families can still join the waitlist for potential future opportunities by visiting the Bezos Academy website.

About the Mayor’s Office of Education and Youth Engagement

Public education is a human right, the great social equalizer, and a key to a prosperous community. Mayor Sylvester Turner believes that each generation of children should be assured a better life and education. Through collaboration, communication, and coordination, the Mayor’s Office of Education strives to ensure this goal for all families in Houston by promoting access to equitable education and opportunities.

About Bezos Academy

Bezos Academy is a non-profit organization that is building a network of tuition-free preschools. Our preschools offer year-round, full-day programming, five days a week, for children ages 3-5 years old from low-income families. Bezos Academy also provides students with all necessary educational supplies and services to set each student up for success, including Montessori materials, books, arts and crafts, field trips, and meals. For more information, visit: www.bezosacademy.org. 

Original source can be found here.