About
Educational excellence, unwavering dedication, and outstanding childcare. Those are the values that The Academy at Rowland Ballard stands for.
Demand for preschool facilities continues to grow day by day, but all too often, institutions are only able to focus on either allowing the child to enjoy their childhood and develop naturally or forcing the child to focus only on mental development in order to achieve high test scores later on in life.
The Academy at Rowland Ballard is different. We promote physical activities in large open areas and offer a wide variety of extracurriculars such as ballet, gymnastics, and music. We also have a small library and various arts and crafts for your child to unleash his or her full creative and intellectual potential.
Our goal is to promote each and every child’s development individually using an appropriate mix of academic and recreational activities.
It’s All About Your Child
At The Academy at Rowland Ballard, we have a deep understanding of what children need to prepare themselves for the rigors of academic life. Our focus is on helping them develop their potential through a healthy mix of educational and recreational activities. This is our “WHOLE BODY” approach to teaching. Children need to be stimulated educationally, physically, and socially.
It’s up to all of us – including the parents – to encourage our kids to bolster their own personal development, independence, and creativity. Because this cannot be done without the support of family and friends, we support the parents in educating their children in a manner that is consistent with their own values and beliefs.
Together, we can prepare your child for the wonderful life that lies ahead!
We Expose Children to All Sorts of Incredible Opportunities at the Academy at Rowland Ballard:
- Preschool-Level Academic Work
- Early Exposure to Languages (Spanish)
- Math and Science
- Exercise
- Ballet
- Gymnastics
We’re There for You and Your Child
In our work, we put great focus on one thing – the welfare and education of your child. In order to properly encourage your child’s personal and academic development, our professional educators follow a unique approach that combines academic excellence with a free-spirited and playful atmosphere for learning.
Our teachers regularly participate in educational seminars and always bring new ideas and input to their daily tasks. These ideas are passed on to your child in playful exercises and diligent study sessions.
Our Staff
Kristin West
Director & Principal Instructor of The Academy at Rowland Ballard Kingwood
- Alabama Native
- Bachelors in Health Education
- University of South Alabama
- Masters of Science Early Childhood Education
- University of Houston
- 11 Years of Preschool Experience
- Proud Wife and Mother of 2
“I have the best job in the world!!! It is both exciting and fulfilling to see the light bulb turn on….that is what keeps me going.”
Afton Ryals
Director & Principal Instructor of The Academy at Rowland Ballard Atascocita
- Kingwood Native
- 7 Years of Childcare Experience
- Teachers Daughter Who Has Worked in Classrooms Since She Was Nine
- In Her Spare Time She Loves to Read, Bake, and Being Outside
- Proud Aunt to Her Niece
- She Can Always Be Found Making People Laugh at Her Silly Antics
“There is nothing better than being able to work with children…especially when you’re just a big kid at heart and aren’t afraid to show it!”
Kandi Long
Pre-K3 Lead Teacher Kingwood
“I love working with children because I feel I can be a positive influence in their lives.”
Christine Murphy
Pre-K4 Lead Teacher Atascocita
Worked for both Kingwood and Attascocita locations.
Katie McCool
Pre-K4 Assistant Teacher Kingwood
Jasmin Scott
Pre-K4 Assistant Teacher Kingwood
Erika Avila
Pre-K4 Assistant Teacher Kingwood
Danielle Luchak
Pre-K3 Assistant Teacher Atascocita/Kingwood
Mary Culp
Pre-K3 Assistant Teacher Kingwood
Abigail Montalvo
Pre-K3 Assistant Teacher Kingwood
Halie Floyd
Pre-K4 Assistant Teacher Atascocita/Kingwood
Elizabeth Barkley
Pre-K4 Assistant Teacher Atascocita
Christie Ainslie
Pre-K3 Assistant Teacher Atascocita/Kingwood
Shelby Wichkoski
Pre-K3/Pre-K4 Assistant Teacher Atascocita
Leslie Rivera-Torres
Pre-K3 Assistant Teacher Atascocita
Sarah Settagast
Primary Ballet Instructor Kingwood
“I love teaching the art of ballet to children. To pass along the tradition and culture of ballet really drives me!”
Lisa Howard
Primary Ballet Instructor Atascocita
“I love teaching the art of ballet to children. To pass along the tradition and culture of ballet really drives me!”
Teamwork is Important to Us
Successful teamwork between parents and educators is important to us because it reflects on the child’s development.
That’s why we have a culture of teamwork at The Academy. There is constant interaction between parents and educators as we plan excursions, common activities, and parties. We are an “open” campus here at The Academy.
What that means is that we invite our parents to participate in some of our days to day activities if their schedule permits. Parent’s of our students will love being able to watch their children’s ballet classes, attend our holiday parties, and accompany us on our field trips.
While your child’s safety and security is of utmost concern to us, we want all parents and grandparents to have access to their children throughout the school day. We’re always grateful for support above and beyond the call of duty.
