Two Friends, One Journey: Celebrating Jan and Porter’s Graduation
Some friendships grow right alongside a child’s entire early education. Jan and Porter are proof of that. These two started out as young toddlers, taking their very first steps into a classroom together. Over the years, they moved up through room after room, learning, growing, and building a friendship that never faded. This year, they […]
Recap: Our Third Annual Back to School Bash Was One for the Books
What a night! Our third annual Back to School Bash brought our community together on Friday, August 14, and it was a beautiful experience. Families filled our parking lot for a DJ, a food truck, a bounce house, and carnival games galore. Free kids haircuts kept little ones looking sharp, while Chiefs Flag Football, Soccer […]
From Student to Colleague: Erica and Makelle’s Full Circle Story
Some stories are too good not to share. Years ago, Erica was Makelle’s preschool teacher. Today, they work side by side on our Rise Above teaching team. Erica has always poured herself into her classroom, and Makelle was one of the children who grew up under her care. She remembers what it was like to […]
Why We Throw a Carnival Every Single Year
Every August, Rise Above throws open our doors for one of our favorite nights of the year: our Back to School Bash. This year marks our third annual carnival, and on Friday, August 14 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, our whole community is invited to join us. Our mission is to build a warm, welcoming, […]
Meet Ms. Jessica: Our Two Year Old Room’s Heart and Structure
Every so often, a teacher walks into a classroom and everything just clicks. That is exactly what happened when Ms. Jessica joined our two year old room at Rise Above. From day one, her passion for early childhood education was impossible to miss. She got the room in shape, rethinking the layout so every corner […]
Our Classrooms Are Full of Little Detectives This Month
This month, our Rise Above classrooms are turning into a full scale investigation. Our featured project, I Am a Detective, invites our children to slow down, look closely, and ask questions about the world around them. Our children are busy comparing fingerprints, examining tiny details with magnifying glasses, and following footprint trails around the classroom. […]
Our Teachers Are Growing Our Outdoor Classroom
Great teaching does not stop at the classroom door. This summer, our Rise Above teaching team gathered for a professional development day focused entirely on outdoor education. Teachers spread out a map of our playground and got to work. They talked through what is already working, what they want to add, and how our outdoor […]
Inside the Toddler Room: How Rise Above Helps Toddlers Build Confidence Every Day
Walk into our Toddler Room on any given morning, and you will see big hugs, fresh provocations, and toddlers moving at their own pace. Some head straight for sensory play. Others choose blocks or art. Our teachers stay close the whole time, offering connection, language, and gentle support as the day begins. One thing that […]
Real Skills, Right Here: How Soccer Shots Fits the Rise Above Philosophy
Once a week at Rise Above Early Learning Center, Coach Jay from Soccer Shots walks through our doors, sets up on our campus, and gets to work with a group of children who are genuinely excited to see him. Soccer Shots has been part of our program for a while now, and it has been […]
Every Thursday Is a Water Day: A Summer Splash at Rise Above
Summer at Rise Above means Splash Days, and our children have been making the most of every single Thursday. Since June every Thursday our outdoor space transforms. Sprinklers, a slip and slide for the older children, wading pools, and water tables all come out, and the children get to spend the morning playing, splashing, and […]
I am an Athlete: How Our Children Are Exploring Sports, Teamwork, and Taking Care of Themselves
Our project this month at Rise Above gives our children a chance to explore one of the most exciting worlds there is: athletics. Through our I am an Athlete project, children are discovering different kinds of sports, learning about the athletes who play them, and exploring what it means to take care of yourself the […]
Meet Ms. Erica: More Than 20 Years of Making Learning an Adventure
Step inside any classroom at Rise Above, and you’ll immediately feel the magic. It’s a place where learning and play are so beautifully intertwined that children don’t even realize they’re building the foundations for a lifetime of success. This incredible atmosphere starts with our dedicated teachers, and today, we are so excited to celebrate Ms. […]