New Beginnings at Young Hearts

At Young Hearts Preschool, the first day of school is a milestone filled with joy and anticipation, where every step through the classroom door marks the beginning of a new adventure in learning and discovery.

The young academy offers a nurturing and enriching classical educational environment for preschool and pre-kindergarten children. Located on the Great Hearts Roosevelt campus in Buckeye, Arizona, it provides a unique early learning experience that lays a strong foundation for a lifetime of discovery and growth.

While the preschool and pre-kindergarten programs run year-round, many families take the summer off and return in the fall, along with brand-new families, for the first day of the new school year. At Young Hearts, this day is all about setting the stage for a nurturing experience that will shape young minds and hearts for the future.

“We love having new students. It’s been so much fun today just getting to know them and building those relationships,” said Cori Lewis, the School Director. Lewis, who has been with the preschool since its opening in 2001, recently stepped into the role of director. For her and her dedicated team, the first day is an opportunity to create a welcoming environment where children feel comfortable and loved. With many students new to the school, the focus is on helping them settle into the routine and schedule, ensuring they start this new adventure on the right foot.

For returning students like Crystal James’ four-year-old daughter, the excitement of being back at school is evident. “She started here last year when she was three years old, so she’s returning this year, and she just loves it here. She’s made friends and she likes the routine,” explained James, having just dropped her daughter off at her classroom.

Lewis is eager to begin a new year filled with growth and learning. “I’m looking forward to an awesome year of digging in and teaching these students, preparing them for their elementary experience.” At Young Hearts, the focus is not just on academic readiness but also on personal development and learning how to engage with other students.

Young Hearts places a strong emphasis on preparing children for the next steps in their education. From learning to write their names to understanding numbers and letters, the curriculum is designed to build essential skills. The core of their educational philosophy lies in balancing a general understanding of child development with the specific insights gained through their teachers’ relationships with each child and their family.

Like all K-12 Great Hearts academies, Young Hearts is also committed to nurturing the whole child. The school incorporates the nine virtues—humility, integrity, friendship, perseverance, wisdom, courage, responsibility, honesty, and citizenship—into the daily schedule. These values are woven into every aspect of the preschool experience, teaching young children not only how to succeed academically but also how to be good citizens and caring individuals. “We’re here to touch each and every heart, and that is our goal here at Young Hearts,” Lewis added.

Lewis and the staff invite you to sign up for a tour to experience the exceptional early learning environment they offer. You can schedule a tour at https://younghearts.greatheartsamerica.org/tour/ and learn more about enrollment at https://younghearts.greatheartsamerica.org/enrollment/.

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts?  Please contact jason.moore@greathearts.org.