The Impact Academy’s grand opening was the launch of a new opportunity for students, families, and teachers in our community. The preschool is housed in the Impact Center (821 Word Plaza) in Rocky Mount and serves 3-5 year old children and their families. The program is a part of a strategic plan to impact the region for the better by investing in individuals so that everyone can thrive. The school is uniquely designed to function with best industry practices for early childhood education in an ideal environment for families while being the preferred workplace for teachers. The Impact Academy is working to create a community in which individuals are holistically nurtured and practically equipped to thrive personally, socially, and educationally. The program will establish educational foundations that inspire children to become life-long learners, empower families to succeed, and impact communities by transforming individuals.

While the preschool is new, the teaching staff has decades of experience in highly regarded centers with various roles in education and human development. The directors all have backgrounds in the Nash and Edgecombe County Public School Systems, business, community engagement, and ministry. Teachers at the school have been childcare center directors, elementary teachers, preschool teachers, and nonprofit community partners. The staff qualifications range from Associate Degrees to Masters in psychology, educational technology, human services, early childhood education, elementary education, and divinity. One third of the staff is currently continuing their educational journey to obtain additional degrees to best serve students and families. Teachers use their creativity, education, and passion as valued experts and are equal partners in driving the function and culture of the program. The preschool believes teachers shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality of living to pursue their passion in education. With this in mind, the program modeled it’s philosophy of pay through partnership with the North Carolina Early Childhood Compensation Collaborative. The directors utilized the collaborative’s Model Salary Scale for Early Education Lead Teachers and developed our program around it. Appropriate compensation is a top priority for the school with a base wage starting at $11.79 an hour. Teachers are able to make up to $20+ an hour with full time healthcare benefits.

The Impact Academy is embarking on developing a model preschool which can be replicated in various communities throughout the state. The school believes education brings awareness of possibilities while equipping its possessor to navigate them. The Impact Academy educates children to help them get through the next leg of their life journey with less hindrances. The school aligns its state-approved curriculum and methodology with children's natural development stages. There is a focus on literacy, learning through play, self-guided exploration, mathematics, and holistic nurturing. Every child has the ability to learn. We don't only want to get them to learn a lesson for the moment. We want to inspire the desire to learn for a lifetime. The school partners the children's education with family empowerment. Families are unique in their relationships and backgrounds. They come equipped with various amounts of knowledge, skills, and assets. Even in these differences, all families have the same potential to THRIVE because they all come with powerful amounts of love and a desire to be and do well. Our goal is to meet families where they are so we can give them more tools to get where they desire to be. Family engagement is a pillar of The Impact Academy . We utilize data-driven programs that are focused on holistic development for every member of the family. Families will have online modules, in-facility seminars, and support from each other! The goal is to set a strong foundation on which children, families, and teachers can thrive. This will in turn impact the community over time so that everyone can thrive.