Ivybrook Academy Marks Two Decades of Preschool Growth

Founders Drew and Jennifer McWilliams launched the brand in 2006 with a specific mandate: provide an environment where children could develop at their own pace. Their model, which emphasizes social-emotional growth alongside academic readiness, has found a consistent market niche. The company currently has 40 additional units sold, signaling sustained demand for their proprietary, enrichment-based curriculum for children aged 18 months to 6 years.

The organization’s expansion has earned it a recurring spot on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list for five consecutive years, reaching the 429th position in 2026. Despite the shift from a local startup to a national entity, the founders maintain that their core objective remains unchanged from the goals Jennifer McWilliams documented in a time capsule during the school's inaugural year. As the academy moves into its third decade, the focus remains on scaling its personalized, small-class-size approach to new regions while retaining the child-centered philosophy that defined its origin.