Jeff Bezos Is Offering Free Montessori Pre-School Enrollment Across the US: Do You Qualify?
With a net worth of $212 billion, according to Forbes, Jeff Bezos is the world's second richest man behind Elon Musk.
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While the Amazon founder made much of his fortune from the e-commerce giant Amazon, Bezos also grew his wealth by investing and branching out into other areas, such as media, aerospace, and more.Now, he's investing in people and future generations. The 61-year-old has created Bezos Academy, which has launched several Montessori-inspired preschools in under-resourced communities in several states, including Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Texas and Washington. The preschools are free and offer children who attend several benefits.
Here's everything to know about the school and eligibility requirements.
Kids aged 3 to 5 years old have the opportunity to attend Bezos' free Montessori preschools, which is five days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each day is filled with work cycles where children learn at their own pace, playtime, lunch and snacks, and rest time.
Hours and schedule vary by location. Everything is included in the free tuition, but families must meet certain requirements, according to the site.
Kids born between September 2, 2020,- September 1, 2022, are eligible for the 2025-26 school year.
Kids born after September 1, 2022, are ineligible for the 2025-26 school year. However, they will be eligible for the upcoming 2026-27 school year.
In addition to age requirements, the gross annual income eligibility is up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. For instance, a family of two can earn up to $84,600 to qualify, a family of three can earn up to $106,600, while the threshold for a family of four is $128,600.
The application process is straightforward and can be done on the Bezos Academy website.
Applications must be received by May 2, 2025, and will be submitted into a lottery.
If your child receives an invitation to attend, you have five business days to accept the offer and two weeks to complete the registration forms.
Montessori is a method of learning that was developed by Italian physician and educator Dr. Maria Montessori more than 100 years ago, according to the American Montessori Society.
The approach focuses on the following:
Social justice, equality and inclusion
Care of self, others and the environment
Encourages a child's natural interests and activities
Hands-on learning and interactive play
Freedom within limits and independence to grow and become critical thinkers
According to experts, there are plenty of advantages to the Montessori approach, including mental health benefits.
'There is a lot less stress, anxiety, and pressure to perform,' Lauren Franchek, a certified Montessori educator and the head of school at Mountain Shadows International Montessori School in Colorado, told Forbes. She added, 'Montessori really emphasizes psychological safety. The environment is highly predictable, so children have a space where they feel supported and respected.'Childcare costs are on the rise. According to Care.com, the average cost of weekly daycare is $343, up 6.9% from 2023. With costs increasing, Bezos Academy would save families a significant amount of money while offering kids an exciting opportunity to excel in a creative environment.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Jeff Bezos Is Offering Free Montessori Pre-School Enrollment Across the US: Do You Qualify?
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