Learn More About La Piazza

 We pride ourselves on maintaining intentionally small class sizes to ensure that every child is truly seen, heard, and supported. In preschool, each class has a maximum of 16 children with 2–3 teachers depending on age. Our elementary classes also cap at 16 students, with most rooms led by a teacher and a dedicated assistant. This intimate setting allows our educators to build meaningful connections and provide personalized guidance.

Our campus opens from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Preschoolers arrive between 8:20 AM and 9:00 AM depending on their age, with dismissal at either 2:35 PM or 3:00 PM. Elementary students arrive between 8:00 and 8:20 AM and are dismissed at 2:50 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and at 3:30 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays.

While we do not currently offer early care before 8:00 AM, aftercare is available until 5:30 PM for families who need extended coverage.

Lunch is served at noon for students enrolled full-time. Preschool students in PK1–PK3 may opt into our school lunch program, while for PK4 and elementary, lunch is a required part of the school day to encourage healthy eating habits and build community during shared meals.

We are proud to offer something truly unique. Rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy and brought to life through project-based learning, our school is a vibrant, artistic, and nurturing space. Children engage in rich, meaningful experiences grounded in their interests, with a strong emphasis on the arts, culture, language, nature, and relationships. Our community is intentionally small and close-knit, making each family and child feel valued and connected.

Yes, we are proudly APPLE-accredited for both preschool and school-age programs, reflecting our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

Preschoolers are admitted without assessments. Elementary applicants, however, participate in a classroom visit and brief assessment. This helps us understand each child’s learning style and ensure we are a good match.

We operate on a rolling admissions basis, so availability depends on current enrollment.

Some years, certain grade levels do reach capacity. When that happens, we maintain a waitlist and notify families promptly if a space opens.

Yes! Tours can be scheduled online. If the times listed don’t work for your family, we are happy to accommodate you—just reach out directly.

There is a $50 application fee.

Yes, we value our existing families and do offer sibling priority in the admissions process.

At La Piazza, we know that a smooth transition into school lays the foundation for a positive learning experience. Before a child begins, we invite them and their family for a special parent-teacher-student meet and greet. This allows the child to visit the classroom, explore the materials, and meet their teacher in a calm, welcoming environment. It’s a gentle way to build familiarity and trust before the first official day.

For our preschool learners, we also provide guidance to parents on what to expect during the first days and weeks, and offer a gradual start. Our goal is always to support each child in developing a joyful, trusting relationship with school.

If a child seems to be having a hard time adjusting—emotionally overwhelmed, tearful, or unable to settle—we believe in honoring that experience. In these cases, we may call the parent for an early pick-up and try again the next day, gradually increasing the time the child spends at school. Our approach is never to push through tears, but rather to build up the child’s sense of safety and belonging at their own pace.

We believe school should be a place children love, not something they fear or feel forced into. By working gently and closely with families, we help children create positive associations with learning and community from day one.

Project work is the heartbeat of our curriculum. These projects emerge from the children’s questions, interests, and ideas. In preschool, projects are rooted in developmental milestones—helping children build language, motor, and cognitive skills. In elementary, projects become more complex and integrate academic standards in literacy, math, science, and social studies. Teachers act as co-researchers, guiding the children in exploration, documentation, and reflection.

We are proud to offer classes in Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. Exposure to multiple languages not only supports communication skills but fosters cultural appreciation and cognitive flexibility.

In elementary, students use technology in intentional ways—for research, creative expression, media editing, and design. We ensure digital tools enhance learning rather than distract from it, and children learn to be responsible digital citizens.

We believe in thoughtful, holistic assessment. Students receive two detailed progress reports per year, which include narrative feedback. In elementary, we incorporate a balance of formative and summative assessments, along with four norm-referenced assessments annually. Assessments are embedded naturally into the learning experience so that they feel supportive rather than stressful.

We see each child as a unique learner and aim to meet them at their individual level. Our small class sizes and collaborative teacher teams allow us to tailor instruction to meet their needs—whether a child thrives through visuals, movement, language, or hands-on exploration.

Hands-on learning is embedded into everything we do through our project based approach. Field trips extend learning beyond the classroom and are thoughtfully chosen based on the themes and questions the children are exploring.

Professional growth is a cornerstone of our community. Each August, we host a two-week training filled with expert-led workshops on curriculum design, Reggio practices, mindfulness, and more. Throughout the school year, we hold monthly PD days, and many teachers attend conferences and symposiums to stay inspired and connected to the latest research.

We are proud of our strong retention. Nearly 30% of our staff has been with us for over a decade, and close to 80% for more than five years. This stability strengthens our community and gives children consistent, trusted relationships.

Absolutely. Every educator at La Piazza is grounded in an understanding of child development. They’re trained not only in the academic and developmental milestones of each age group, but in the nuances of supporting emotional growth, social interaction, and resilience.

PE is integrated into the elementary curriculum and emphasizes fitness, coordination, agility, and sportsmanship. Preschoolers have the option to enroll in after-school sports programs suited to their age and interests.

In Reggio-inspired education, parents are seen as partners. We have a variety of parent committees and encourage active participation. Room parents help keep each class connected, and we host events like our Halloween Carnival, cultural celebrations, and community service days. Through this collaboration, we create a truly vibrant school culture.

Yes! We offer an 8-week summer camp filled with creativity and play. Activities include art, music, movement, cooking, science, and outdoor fun—keeping the learning alive and joyful all summer long.

We regularly review and update our emergency plans in collaboration with local agencies. Fire drills are conducted monthly, and we practice other emergency procedures periodically. In all situations, we strive to maintain a sense of calm and clarity for the children.

While we do not have a full-time nurse, all staff members are CPR and First Aid certified and trained to recognize and respond to allergies and medical emergencies.

We are a peanut-free school and take allergies and medical conditions very seriously. Families are encouraged to communicate all relevant health information so we can create an individualized safety plan.

We offer staggered arrival and dismissal to ease congestion, with both carpool and walk-up options. A police officer assists with traffic flow to ensure safety and efficiency.

We use Conscious Discipline, a compassionate, research-based approach that teaches emotional regulation and conflict resolution. Rather than punitive measures, we focus on understanding the root of behaviors and equipping children with the tools they need to grow. When needed, we may refer families to trusted specialists for additional support.

Before any child begins at La Piazza, we also host a special parent-teacher-student meet and greet. This intentional moment gives the child a chance to meet their teacher and become familiar with the classroom environment before their first day. It helps ease transitions, fosters a sense of belonging from the start, and sets the tone for the collaborative relationship between school and family that is central to everything we do. 

Parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year, where educators share comprehensive insights about each child’s growth, learning, and progress. In addition to these formal meetings, teachers are always happy to connect with parents throughout the year as needed—whether to celebrate successes, discuss challenges, or collaborate on supporting the child’s development.

There are many ways to get involved, both big and small. Parents can volunteer for classroom projects, special celebrations, field trips, or larger community events like our Halloween Carnival. We also have room parents who serve as a bridge between the classroom and the parent body, helping to coordinate efforts and build a sense of connection among families. Whether you have five minutes or a full afternoon to offer, your time and presence are always welcomed and appreciated.

Communication is at the heart of our partnership with families. We use a combination of digital platforms, email, and in-person conversations to keep parents informed and engaged. Weekly emails from the school director or classroom teacher help families stay connected to what’s happening day-to-day. We also hold regular parent meetings and encourage open communication—so families always feel in the loop and supported.

Yes, in addition to tuition, families can expect a few standard annual fees. These include a registration fee for all students and a book fee for elementary students. New students are also assessed a one-time new student fee. For PreK-4 and elementary, enrollment in our school lunch program is required, as we consider mealtime an integral part of the learning and social experience. For younger students in PreK 1 through 3, lunch is optional.

After-school programming, including extended care and enrichment classes like art, music, or robotics, carries an additional fee based on selection. Uniforms are also an additional cost, as well as occasional field trips, depending on the destination or nature of the event. While these extra costs exist, we strive to keep them reasonable and purposeful, aligned with the holistic and immersive experiences we offer our students.

We are proud to be a Step Up For Students provider, offering financial support options for eligible elementary students through direct payment. For preschool families receiving Step Up, reimbursements may be available directly from the organization, depending on eligibility. Our goal is to make our unique program accessible to families who share our educational values, and we are always happy to help walk families through their options.

Yes, we offer a variety of payment schedules to support families in managing tuition costs in a way that works best for them. Tuition can be paid in full, in two semi-annual installments, or in 11 equal monthly payments. For families who choose to prepay in full, we offer a tuition discount as a thank you. All options are clearly outlined in our Tuition Agreement to help families plan with ease and confidence.

In our elementary classrooms, iPads are shared among students and available as needed for projects, creative work, and assessments. These tools are treated as just one more “language” in our students’ toolkits—a medium through which they can explore, investigate, and express their thinking.

Our preschool program is screen-free. We deeply value the natural, unfiltered world as the optimal learning environment for young children. This aligns with our Reggio Emilia-inspired philosophy, where rich, sensory play and face-to-face interaction are essential parts of development. We believe childhood should be full of real textures, real conversations, and real discoveries—not pixels and passive viewing. Should a video or digital image be appropriate for a specific preschool project, the technology must be approved by our director.

La Piazza Academy maintains a consistent and simple dress code from Monday through Thursday to promote a sense of unity and minimize distractions. Students wear a school polo and navy shorts—both available for purchase directly through the school. Navy pants, skirts, or skorts may be purchased at any preferred retailer, as long as they meet the school’s uniform guidelines. Fridays are our more relaxed days, where students may wear clothing of their choice to show their personalities.

Safety is always our top priority. In the event of a hurricane, storm, or other weather-related emergency, we communicate swiftly with families. Notifications are sent through email, SMS text, and through our school software.