Early Learning Center
Pre-K4 and Pre-K5 Students Grow, Play, and Create at Franklin's Top Independent School
In our Early Learning Center, we believe that when children are active participants in their own learning, they create meaningful connections between their school and their world. Children find true joy as they grow, play, and create in our language-rich learning community. Our theme-based pre-K curriculum allows students to make connections across subjects with daily opportunities to grow in numeracy, literacy, scientific inquiry, and character development.
No matter where students head after pre-K, they will have a firm academic foundation upon which to grow.
Early Learning Center Academic Program at BGA
Our inquiry-based pre-K program aligns with the Academy's mission to ignite and nurture student curiosity, intellect, and character and offers a true full-day preschool focused on academic growth, character development, and comprehensive preparedness. Each classroom will feature open-ended, creative centers designed to spark curiosity and engage student interest, and lessons will foster independent thinking through the use of manipulatives, sensory bins, real-world tools, and dramatic play. By working together on learning projects, students will practice practical everyday life skills such as compromise and problem-solving.
School Days for Early Learning Center
Our pre-K4 and pre-K5 program is a full-time preschool, meaning class is held Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. The Early Learning Center will follow BGA's major dates calendar, breaking for holidays, Fall Break, Spring Break, and the summer in alignment with our K-12 college preparatory program.
Early Learning Center Admissions Process
STEP 1: Families interested in pre-K4 or pre-K5 for Fall 2024 must complete our inquiry form.
STEP 2: Once we’ve received your inquiry, you will be able to access our application for admission and be added to our invitation list for prospective pre-K events this fall.
Priority Consideration Deadline: December 15, Admission notification by March 2
Families wishing to be considered for admission under our priority deadline must complete our application for admission by December 15. Those who apply after the deadline will be offered admission on a space-available basis after March 6.
STEP 3: Once we’ve received your application for admission, we will schedule testing and an observation date for your student. In order for your student’s file to be reviewed under our priority consideration deadline, we must have all assessments completed by January 24.
STEP 4: Families who are offered admission to the BGA pre-K program under the priority deadline will be asked to confirm their intent to enroll by noon on March 6.
Please note, students seeking admission to the Early Learning Center must be four years old for pre-K4 or five years old for pre-K5 by August 15, 2024. Currently, acceptance into the pre-K program does not guarantee admission to the BGA Lower School; however, students in the pre-K program will be able to complete their kindergarten testing and observation during school hours.
Prospective pre-K4 and pre-K5 families will be invited to attend a pre-K preview day on September 12 or September 19 . Please complete our inquiry form to ensure you're on the invitation list!
Julia Belsante, BGA Early Learning Center
Julia Belsante will lead the BGA Early Learning Center. Julia served as an associate teacher in the BGA Lower School during the 2022-23 academic year. Prior to coming to BGA, Julia was the School Program Coordinator at the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Annual Giving Coordinator at Vanderbilt, and a pre-K teacher at Rolling Hills Learning Center. Julia received her bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University and her teaching certification from Lipscomb University.