Ivybrook Academy

In 2005, the concept of Ivybrook Academy was developed by first grade teacher Jennifer McWilliams. After recognizing the absence of multidimensional learning opportunities for her students, she knew they deserved better. With her passion to shape and teach young minds as her driving force, she set out to create the optimal learning environment for students.

Visualizing a school that recognizes the strengths and needs of each individual child, she worked to develop Ivybrook Academy. The Weddington campus opened its doors in August 2007 with nearly full enrollment on the first day of school. To this day, we remain humbled by the support of our community as our flagship campus continues to be voted the #1 Pre-School in the Charlotte area year after year. Seeing how Ivybrook students were flourishing, Jennifer’s husband Drew recognized that all children deserved this caliber of education. He left his successful real estate career to commit his focus on bringing this model to other communities. Under the leadership of Jennifer and Drew, our second campus in Fort Mill, SC opened in 2011. It brought them immense joy to witness this campus mirror the success of its predecessor and become an integral part of the community.

Yearning to replicate the Ivybrook experience, families who relocated outside of the Charlotte area were quickly disheartened when they were unsuccessful in finding a school like ours. This reaffirmed Jennifer & Drew’s desire for all children to have access to the quality education that Ivybrook Academy provides. This was achieved when they meticulously developed a company growth plan allowing more students around the country to have the same opportunity.

“With gratitude to the children and families that inspire us every day, we hope Ivybrook Academy is a special to you as it is to us.”