Lightbridge Academy Pre-K Students Achieve 99% Proficiency in Kindergarten Readiness Skills for First Time in Franchise's History

The Leader in Early Child Care Education Achieved Increases in All Key Learning Domains from Fall 2025 to Spring 2026

ISELIN, N.J., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightbridge Academy, Innovators in Educational Child Care^® and one of the fastest-growing early childhood education franchises with over 200 centers either open or in development, proudly announces its exceptional 99% proficiency rate in kindergarten readiness for the first time in the franchise's history. These findings from the 2025–2026 Vine Assessment of four- and five-year-olds enrolled in Lightbridge Academy's pre-K programs underscore the effectiveness of the brand's signature whole-child educational approach. By fostering growth across academic, social, and emotional development, Lightbridge Academy equips every child with the tools to thrive in school and in life.

"Reaching a 99% proficiency rate in kindergarten readiness, a first in our franchise's history, is an incredible testament to our teachers' dedication and our students' natural curiosity and drive to learn," said Gigi Schweikert, CEO of Lightbridge Academy. "This milestone reflects the difference an advanced, research-based curriculum can make when paired with educators who are truly invested in every child's growth."

This school year's results display an impressive increase in readiness results from the fall to spring assessments, including an 8% increase in science cognition, 9% increase in mathematics cognition, and a 10% jump in literacy knowledge and skills. This increase can be attributed to the focus on individualized instruction based on each child's prior assessment and an increase in thematic unit activities. Lightbridge Academy's proprietary Seedlings Early Childhood Education Curriculum utilizes theme-based lessons to strengthen children's emerging skills in reading, writing, science, technology, and math.

Lightbridge Academy partnered with Procare's Vine Assessment to enable its teachers to observe and assess the developmental milestones each child achieves throughout the year. Utilizing the Vine Assessment, teachers actively observed and assessed children in the areas of Mathematics, Science, Literacy Knowledge & Skills, Language & Communication, Social/Emotional, Perception, Motor & Physical, Creative & Cultural Arts, Social Studies, and overall approaches to Learning. The Vine Assessment is a developmentally appropriate early childhood assessment that aligns with the Common Core standards across all 50 states to ensure children's success in their future elementary years.

To schedule a tour and learn more about Lightbridge Academy's early childhood education programs, visit LightbridgeAcademy.com. 

ABOUT LIGHTBRIDGE ACADEMY
Established in 1997, the company was founded as a family business based on core values and a Circle of Care philosophy that places equal importance on the needs of children, their families, teachers, center owners, and the community. Lightbridge Academy, Innovators in Educational Child Care^®, provides quality early education and child care programs to children aged six weeks through Kindergarten. The company currently has over 200 child care centers either open or in development throughout Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The Lightbridge Promise also leads the industry as the Gold Standard for health & safety in the child care industry. In 2026, the brand was included in Financial Times' Americas' Fastest Growing Companies list, awarded Franchise Business Review's Franchisee Satisfaction Award, and ranked #129 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list. In 2026, the brand ranked in Entrepreneur's list of Top Brands for Multi-Unit Owners, was featured on Franchise Times Fast & Serious list, and ranked #248 in Franchise Times Top 400 list. For more information or to schedule a center tour, visit LightbridgeAcademy.com.

SOURCE Lightbridge Academy