San Jacinto College and Bezos Academy open tuition-free preschool in North Houston
HOUSTON, Texas — San Jacinto College celebrated the opening of Bezos Academy – North Shore, a tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschool on the College's North Campus. More than 40 elected officials, community members, and teachers and staff from San Jacinto College and Bezos Academy gathered for the ribbon cutting event Aug. 21 at the preschool.
"San Jacinto College is honored to partner with Bezos Academy to bring quality, no-cost education to San Jacinto College students and our community," said Dr. Brenda Hellyer, San Jacinto College Chancellor. "Programs such as this instill important learning in children from a young age, including traits that will serve them well through their educational journey. Bezos Academy provides a critical resource for many of our students and working parents who count on reliable preschool so that they can focus on completing their education."
Bezos Academy Houston – North Shore features four classrooms, with capacity for 80 students. The preschool offers year-round programming five days a week for children between the ages of 3 and 5. The preschool’s Montessori-inspired approach is designed to meet every child where they are and to help them learn and grow at their own pace. Bezos Academy covers operating expenses for the preschool at no cost to eligible families, providing everything the children need during the day, including meals and educational materials.
“Offering free preschool on a college campus can unlock opportunities for students, staff, and families throughout a community,” said Mike George, president of Bezos Academy. “Thank you to San Jacinto College for sharing our vision and helping us support East Harris County’s students of all ages.”
Bezos Academy Houston – North Shore classes are full for the 2023-2024 school year. Applications opened earlier this year, and students were selected through a lottery. Families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level are eligible, with admission preferences given to foster children and children experiencing homelessness. For more details on eligibility or to add your child to the waitlist, please visit apply.bezosacademy.org. Read more about Bezos Academy’s commitment to the Houston area.
View the ribbon cutting photo album.
About Bezos Academy
Bezos Academy is a non-profit organization that is building a network of fully funded tuition-free preschools. Our preschools offer year-round, full-day programming, five days a week, for children from low-income families ages 3-5 years old. Bezos Academy also provides students with all necessary educational supplies and services to set each student up for success, including Montessori materials, books, arts and crafts, field trips, and meals. As of August 2023, we have 16 schools operating across Washington, Texas, and Florida. We have 13 additional agreements in place and more in the works to open additional locations across these states and others, including Kentucky and Arizona. For more information, visit bezosacademy.org.
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. The College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, serving approximately 41,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA and Aa2 by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.
For more information about San Jacinto College visit sanjac.edu.
