Read here about what some of our parents are saying regarding their experience with our center!
“Our first child started at the Academy in 2012 and is now in first grade reading, writing and thriving. He loved being at the Academy and still talks about his “old school”. Our two younger children currently attend the Academy and love it. Their teachers plan different themes each week and the activities and lessons are planned around the theme. Their teachers borrow different books from the library each week that relate to the theme. When we pick up in the afternoon they always want to stay and play a little longer. We have been very happy with our experience and have referred several friends.” Angela, Gorham (Twin 3 year olds, Joined in Spring 2012)
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“We have been sending our son to The Academy for almost a year and a half. I have recommended them to my family and friends. Each day my little guy comes home having had a positive experience. I know he is learning, healthy, and happy when he is with his teachers. Each teacher is well-educated and caring. The facility is brand-new, well-maintained, and a happy place. “It takes a village” and I’m thankful for the teachers and the director at The Academy for Active Learners for their positive role in our son’s life.” Adrianne, Cumberland (3 year old, joined in Winter 2016)
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“When I first toured The Academy for Active Learners, I knew that I had found a high-quality daycare and preschool program. My son has attended the Academy for 2.5 years and it has lived up to my initial expectations. The Academy for Active Learners is a child-centered daycare and preschool. It is housed in a new building that is clean, bright, inviting, well-planned, and has a great playground. Each class has lots of play time (both structured and unstructured), a developmentally appropriate curriculum, and caring, skilled teachers. Most importantly, my son is happy there!” Hannah, Portland (3 year old, joined in 2015)
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“I am so grateful that I have found The Academy for my 4 year old son. It truly was the best decision to make a daycare switch and I wish I had done it sooner! After a terrible experience at our previous daycare I am so happy to have that found a naturing environment for my son to help him grow and be ready for Kindergarten in the fall. The staff in the Pre-K room is so welcoming and truly has students best interest at heart. Their experience and knowledge of how to work with preschoolers is shown daily with how well the kiddos are treated fairly and appropriately! I cannot thank Mindy enough for being on board and assuring me that her facility would be a wonderful fit for my son! I would highly recommend The Academy for Active Learners.” Karen, Gorham (4 year old joined in Summer 2017)
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“Our family loves the Academy. Both of our sons, ages 4 and 17 months, attend. The teachers provide the perfect combination of nurturing and educating. Mindy, the owner, has an “open door” policy and is visible in the facility often. I love the newness of the facility itself. Much thought was given to the design elements, big and small, to ensure the best environment for kids to be safe and have fun while learning. The meal and snack plan is a bonus option. So convenient! I am so thankful my kids are well taken care of each day.” Julie, Gorham (2 kids, joined in Spring 2017)
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Both of our girls have been students at the Academy of Active Learners since they were infants and we couldn’t have made a better decision. This isn’t a day care center- it is a school. The staff are highly skilled and engaged educators who constantly go above and beyond to create a relaxed and supportive learning environment. From the infant Ocean room to the preschool Town room they incorporate structured and developmentally appropriate learning experiences mixed in with periods of free play/gym/exercise activities (yoga too!). Along with a healthy breakfast/lunch/snack program developed by a dietitian, we couldn’t ask for a better place to be part of my “village” with raising our girls.
-Bill & Kate, Falmouth
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I honestly cannot say enough wonderful things about the Academy! Our son started there at age 2 and stayed until he began kindergarten. We now have our 1 year old daughter there, who began when she was only 6 weeks old. These teachers are simply amazing! They treat all of the children like their own. I know that my children are in excellent hands, I don’t worry about them throughout the day because I know they are very well taken care of and LOVED! We actually live in Gorham and drive into Westbrook each morning because we love this place so much. I couldn’t be happier with the attention, love and education our children have received. Our son was more than ready for kindergarten and I believe that is largely because of the social skills, education and structure he received while attending the academy. I would highly recommend the Academy if you are looking for a safe, fun, educational environment for your child!
-Kasey, Gorham
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The center is extremely clean, bright, full of children’s artwork, and most importantly – warm and inviting for little ones. The staff is beyond amazing. Their level of professionalism is top-notch, they genuinely care about each child and want each child to feel loved and encouraged while they succeed. They communicate daily with parents allowing parents to feel like they are included in the daily activities. I cannot say enough positive things about my experience and I would highly recommend this center to anyone who is looking for the best!
-Ashley, Portland
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My son is 3 and he has been attending The Academy for Active Learners for almost a year. I have seen such an improvement in his behavior and learning process since starting here. He was in a daycare facility prior to coming here that I was very uneasy about. I dropped him off crying everyday and all he would do there was play (no learning involved). At The Academy, he plays and learns and loves it. I drop him off and he can’t wait to get there. I go to work and know that he is in good hands. It’s such a relief. He has learned so much since starting here. He can even write his name, which in my opinion, in less than a years time, is amazing. His teachers in the Forest room are so great. They keep us posted on his accomplishments and let us know what we all have to work on. I would recommend this place to anyone.
-Lisa, Westbrook
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I absolutely love the Academy for Active Learners and have recommended the facility for any and all expecting moms looking for childcare. My daughter is in the infant Ocean room and has been since she was 12 weeks. The teachers in her room are so loving and attentive and truly care so much for all the kids and treat them like their own. My daughter has learned so much and is such a social and happy baby due to The Academy. We also have twins enrolled to start next summer and are so excited!
Allison, Portland
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I started my son at The Academy for Active Learners when he was 18 months old. He is now 5 and in the pre school room. I cannot say enough about this facility and the teachers! He has learned so much, from academics to social skills. Each teacher genuinely cares for the children and he has made some great friends. I receive comments all the time on how smart and well behaved by son is… I have to give most of the credit to The Academy! I know my son will miss the teachers so much when he leaves for Kindergarten in the Fall. I highly recommend parents look into this school. You will not be disappointed!
-Heather, Portland
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We enrolled our daughter at 6 months of age, and have been fortunate to be approaching the 5 year mark at the center. The attention to detail that goes into our child’s care is what makes the difference in all aspects of this center. The teachers have been incredible, and are what sets this place apart from everywhere else.
Mike, Gorham
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It is clear the teachers love their jobs and care about the kids. They are always doing new activities and keep things very interesting! My son loves going to school every morning, which is the most important thing. We couldn’t be happier.
-Tabitha, Yarmouth
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We sent our son at The Academy for Active Learners last year when he was 4, and that was one of our best decisions we ever made. Not only did our son adapt to his new surroundings immediately, but we also observed tremendous advancement and improvement in both his academic and social skills.
The teachers there were very communicative and easy to approach, and the entire staff was very helpful.
Our son now attends kindergarten at St Brigids school in Portland, and thanks to The Academy, he has had a smooth transition to his new environment and has been already ahead of his class.
We would highly recommend The Academy for Active Learners to any parent who are looking for a safe and friendly environment for their little ones, where there is lot of focus given on the child’s development and well being.
-Sonu, Westbrook
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“Between my three children, I have had a child in every classroom at the Academy for Active Learners. The teachers at each level are amazing and it is evident that they genuinely care for the children. I can honestly say that I could not handpick more qualified or trustworthy individuals to assist in raising my kids.
In addition to the staff, the curriculum is beyond compare. The social skills and academic foundation that my children have acquired from the Academy are invaluable. The teachers cultivate a love for learning through themed units and small group activities. They also use every opportunity to reinforce social skills. I would love to attribute my children’s manners to my amazing parenting but I know that is not entirely true.
I couldn’t be happier with our experience at the Academy. We consider ourselves extremely lucky to have found this program.”
Alexis, Scarborough (5 yr old, 3 yr old & 10 Month old, been with The Academy for 2 yrs)
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“Thanks so much Mindy. You and your teachers have been like an extended family to us and cannot express our appreciation enough. Our older daughter has had some challenges with adapting to being a big sister and the patience, caring and excellent communication from Lydia and Sue has been so helpful and amazing.
Thanks again for all of your excellent work providing us with such a high quality school for our family.”
-Bill & Kate, Portland, ME (2 yr old and infant, have been at The Academy of Active Learners for 2 years)
“We were one of the first families to join The Academy of Active Learners when it opened and feel so lucky to have found such a wonderful school. Our son started at 18 months after we had a tough experience at a different school, he’s now 4. We were cautious at first and worried about another school, but we knew we made a great choice almost instantly. The program/curriculum is exceptional, the faculty is absolutely amazing, Mindy is a mom herself and I think that makes all the difference. Having my children at The Academy makes it easier for me to be a working parent… I know they are safe, loved and happy.
Mindy goes above and beyond to choose staff who are outstanding… we know every teacher there and every teacher knows both of our children. When our second child arrived, we were so excited that he would be able to start in the infant room and have had such a tremendous experience working with the infant teachers and now the toddler teachers… My child frequently asks to go back to the baby room and smiles with joy when he sees his teachers. The staff are so patient, kind and understanding (with both kids and parents) and for the rest of my life, I will be grateful to Mindy for opening her school and for taking such good care of my children.”
Mary, Falmouth, ME (4 yr old & 1 yr old, been with The Academy for 2.5 yrs)
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“We’ve had two children at the Academy of Active Learners since it opened in 2011. It is an incredible center — well run and superbly staffed. It emphasizes so much of what is important in early childhood — physical play, socializing, arts and crafts and feeling secure. I have always felt that my children were safe in the hands of the very caring and hard working teachers and that they are truly excited to go to school every day. I’ve had them cry on snow days! On the more logistical end, the Academy provides a great convenience to families by attending to a broad age range, allowing children to transition through various stages of development by changing classrooms rather than schools, and allows parents a great deal of flexibility in terms of days and times of service. We feel really fortunate to have had a place to support our children–and us– throughout these early years.”
Andrea, Falmouth, (5 yr old & 3 yr old, been with The Academy for 2.5 yrs)