Owner's Story

As a former first-grade teacher, Jennifer McWilliams saw a clear gap in early childhood education—too many young learners weren’t getting the individualized attention or meaningful learning experiences they needed to thrive. Determined to reimagine preschool, Jennifer developed a model that blends the best of Reggio Emilia and Montessori philosophies, creating a nurturing, curiosity-driven environment where children can explore, grow, and discover at their own pace.

Together with her husband, Drew, whose business expertise helped bring the vision to life, Jennifer founded Ivybrook Academy to offer families a preschool experience rooted in creativity, connection, and joyful learning. As parents of two Ivybrook graduates, Jennifer and Drew remain passionate about helping children build a strong foundation for the future.

Ivybrook Academy loves being a part of the Lubbox community!