Ambleside Preparatory Academy celebrates first year, begins expansion project
Ambleside Preparatory Academy is only a year old, but the private Christian school is already breaking ground on a new building to keep up with its rapid growth.
When the school opened in 2024, it welcomed about 100 students. Just one year later, enrollment has more than doubled, prompting leaders to move forward with plans for a facility that will add classrooms, outdoor learning areas and dedicated space for arts and enrichment.
Head of School Joanna Pike said the pace of growth has been both humbling and energizing.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support of families who believe in our mission,” Pike said. “Ambleside was founded to provide a different approach to education, one that values both rigor and the joy of learning. The fact that so many parents are choosing us in our very first year tells us we’re on the right path.”
Ambleside is modeled after the Charlotte Mason philosophy, which emphasizes character, curiosity and a partnership between home and school. The program blends classical instruction with practical enrichment, aiming to “form hearts and minds” rather than just train for tests.
Pike said the new facility, which will sit alongside the existing campus, is expected to open in time for the 2026–27 school year.
“Expanding our space ensures that we can continue to grow without losing what makes Ambleside unique,” Pike said. “We are committed to keeping class sizes small and to cultivating an environment where every student is known and supported.”
The groundbreaking comes almost exactly a year after Ambleside held its ribbon-cutting in June 2024. Then, leaders described the school as “a bridge between homeschooling and traditional education,” offering structure and community while still giving families a strong role in the classroom.
Today, with enrollment continuing to climb and waiting lists beginning to form, Pike said the vision remains the same: growth with purpose.
“We don’t want to be the biggest school,” she said. “We want to be faithful to the calling that started Ambleside and to serve families in a way that honors that calling.”
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