Want to send your child to the tuition-free Bezos Academy in Lacey? Here’s how to apply
.jpg "Bezos Academy Lacey - Southeast has occupied the back right corner of Seven Oaks Elementary in Lacey.")
The early learning Bezos Academy, which has converted space for its preschool at North Thurston Public Schools’ Seven Oaks Elementary, is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year, beginning in September.
The academy was founded by Jeff Bezos, who also introduced the world to Amazon.com. The North Thurston school board approved a 10-year lease with the academy in October 2023.
The official name of the school is Bezos Academy Lacey-Southeast. It will serve about 60 students.
Although the academy will pay $1 in rent per year, the program will pay all utilities and hire staff. The academy also created its own entrance and renovated the space at Seven Oaks, The Olympian previously reported.
Seven Oaks had the space because it previously had a preschool that relocated to Woodland Elementary, said district spokeswoman Amy Blondin. Now when you enter Seven Oaks, the academy occupies the right back corner of the main building, she said.
Tuition is free, but admittance is done through a lottery.
“Our only eligibility is that families earn up to 400% of the federal poverty level,” Bezos Academy spokeswoman Allison Leader said by email. “That’s around $128,000 for a family of four. This income level allows us to serve families that qualify for fully subsidized programs, as well as families that earn a little too much to qualify for those programs but still can’t afford to pay for preschool.”
How does the school day work at the academy?
“Generally, we have a seven-hour instructional day,” Leader said. “It can look a little different school by school, but families can expect morning and afternoon Montessori-based learning, outdoor play, rest time and meals/snacks. The Montessori-inspired curriculum we follow is designed to help children develop social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills that foster creativity and independence.
“We help each child learn and grow at their own pace and use research-based standards to track developmental milestones and inform individualized instruction.
“We cover all operating expenses for programs at no cost to families. That includes tuition, all materials and supplies they need during the day, meals and snacks.”
Not only is the academy accepting student applications, it also is looking to hire a Mentor Montessori Teacher and assistant teachers in the spring. The salary range for the mentor position is $92,000 to $138,000, according to the Bezos Academy website.
To be eligible for the 2025-26 school year, the child must be 3 or 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2025, with a birthdate between Sept. 2, 2020 and Sept. 1, 2022, the website reads. Children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2025, are not age-eligible for the 2025-26 school year.
Student applications are being accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, May 2. The lottery will be held May 7 and parents will be notified about their status on May 13, according to the website.
.jpg "Seven Oaks (1).jpg")
This story was originally published February 28, 2025 at 12:14 PM.
