The Goddard School on the Boulevard is Officially Open
The Goddard School on the Boulevard is Officially Open
August 1, 2014
Goddard Systems, Inc., the franchisor of The Goddard School® preschool system, has officially opened its newest school, The Goddard School on the Boulevard, at 2572 Virginia Beach Blvd. in the Lynnhaven area of Virginia Beach. Mayor Will Sessoms attended the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 30.
The new school is owned by Anne and Mike Pope and Melissa and Don O'Brian. The Goddard School program offers both full and part-time schedules customized to fit parents’ and students’ schedules. These schedules can range from as little as two mornings per week to five full days. All teachers have degrees in education and develop lesson plans based on the individual needs and developmental level of each student.
“We are able to challenge the children appropriately so that they are not overwhelmed with what’s being presented, but they are also not bored with what’s being introduced,” said Anne Pope. “In all of our programs, from infant to kindergarten, we offer sign language, Spanish, music, world cultures geography, manners, yoga and SPARKS (physical fitness for gross and fine motor skill development, indoors and outdoors, individual and group play). “
The Goddard School on the Boulevard offers a full-day private kindergarten program that incorporates both kindergarten and first-grade curriculum goals.
The state-of-the-art facility was constructed by Cataldo Builders of Virginia Beach, using the highest of standards in sound proofing, LED lighting, energy-efficient cooling and heating system, and water-saving plumbing fixtures.
The school will create 25 new jobs in the City of Virginia Beach. Total capital investment is estimated to be $2 million.
“The immediate response we’ve gotten from the community has been extremely positive since we offer parents a whole new level of quality care and early education,” added Pope. “We have capacity for 136 students so we welcome folks in the community to learn more about us.”
“With the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development’s emphasis on early childhood development, we welcome The Goddard School to the community,” said Karen Kehoe, GrowSmart coordinator. “The school offers high-quality educational opportunities for children from infancy through kindergarten and expands parents’ options for childcare in the Lynnhaven and surrounding areas.”
Goddard Systems, Inc., franchisor of The Goddard School® preschools, was recently named the No. 1 Childcare Franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine for the 13th consecutive year and one of the Top 200 Franchise Systems (in worldwide sales) by Franchise Times for the seventh consecutive year. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, GSI currently licenses more than 400 franchised schools with 45,000 students in 35 states. The Goddard School's AdvancED and Middle States-accredited F.L.EX.® Learning Program, a comprehensive play-based curriculum developed with early childhood education experts, provides the best childhood preparation for social and academic success. With a proven system in place and a strong network of dedicated franchisees, GSI is the acknowledged leader in franchised childcare and a premier educational childcare provider. For more information, visit www.goddardschoolfranchise.com.
The mission of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is to attract and retain national and international businesses to stimulate capital investment and create jobs. Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia with a population of 440,000, and it is the 37th largest in the United States. It is recognized as one of the Best Run Cities in America by 24/7 Wall St. The Department of Economic Development received re-accreditation through the International Economic Development Council in 2012 and is one of only 29 economic development organizations in the world to have this recognition. It is listed among the Top Five Overall Mid-sized American Cities of the Future, Top 10 for Economic Potential and Top Five for Infrastructure by fDi Magazine. CNNMoney.com ranked Virginia Beach as the Easiest Place to Start a Business and the 2nd Most Business-Friendly City in the country. For more information, visit www.yesvirginiabeach.com.
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