Preschool network backed by Amazon founder is expanding to Texas and Florida

A Montessori-focused pre-school network started by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is planning to open a location in Dallas and other locations in Texas and Florida.

The Dallas Morning News reports that Bezos Academy has signed a 10-year lease with Dallas-based Forefront Living to put the school at Presbyterian Village North. It will offer full-day and year-round classes for children ages 3 and 4.

The Dallas school will hold four classrooms with as many as 80 students. Families are eligible to apply if they are earning less than 400% of the federal poverty limit — or up to $106,000 for a family of four — and have children ages 3 and 4.

Bezos Academy’s financial contribution is twofold. The nonprofit covers all costs associated with renovating the space and the preschool’s operating expenses. It also hires and pays staff, as well as provides necessities such as school meals.

The academy began in Des Moines, Wash. Its planned Florida locations are at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Deerwood Elementary School in Kissimmee, Highlands Elementary School in Kissimmee, and the Village on Mercy in Orlando. 

Other planned locations in Texas include one in Lancaster and several in Houston.

All locations are set to open in fall 2022.