It’s really not a secret. The demand for outstanding child care in Lake Nona and the surrounding areas is very high, especially for families who are looking for private school options. One year ago, as parents of their own children in addition to foster children, John and Charlotte JeBailey recognized this fact. With a calling to provide quality education to children and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, they opened an educational center called Cranium Academy.

In the midst of the economic downturn a few years ago, John and Charlotte were compelled to consider unconventional ways to earn a living. With their own children growing into successful students through attending Cranium Academy in Winter Garden, the JeBaileys inquired about a franchise opportunity. Although one was not available when they first asked, Charlotte and John continued to search for something they could have confidence would be successful and provide fulfillment. Through their own persistence and the success of the original Cranium Academy, a franchise opportunity was soon theirs.

Armed with a strong belief in Cranium Academy’s innovative curriculum, the research results that residents of Lake Nona were in desperate need of early childhood education, and economic projections for the area that indicated extreme positive growth, the JeBaileys broke ground and started building a new Cranium Academy located at 10275 Savannah Park Drive (at the entrance to East Park). John was a general contractor for several years and had the expertise to construct the first-class educational facility on his own in just nine months, just in time to begin classes in the fall at the start of the school year.

Cranium Academy is passionate about providing an inventive approach to teaching children real-life subject matters and topics. Even parallels the JeBaileys have experienced in owning a business shine through in some of the curriculum.

“When they study economics, they become young entrepreneurs and learn what it takes to make a business work. As they become the owner of their own pizza shop, they do market research to decide what types of pizza to sell, create advertisements and sell their products to make a profit,” said Charlotte.

Just as Lake Nona is known for building a foundation in health, fitness and technology initiatives, Cranium Academy takes pride in educational programming that specializes in the same areas. “We truly are like no other! Our mission is to inspire creativity, critical thinking, character and leadership in every student. Our students may enter the program at age 2, and we incorporate technology, leveled learning and critical thinking from the time they start. Since all kids these days are using tablets, phones, etc., from an early age, we utilize that in a positive, educational way.

“Another really fantastic attribute we have is the indoor gym, the indoor bounce houses and two playgrounds. It gets hot in Florida, and it rains. We believe children must have fun and play! They were not meant to sit inside a classroom for hours and hours. Our gym curriculum focuses (on) developing gross motor skills, but the children think they are just having free play; the kids LOVE it!” Charlotte said.

Children love the play opportunities at Cranium Academy so much, the school opens the doors to their campus on Saturdays to host birthday parties for ages 2 through 8. Cranium Academy’s own staff, specializing in children’s entertainment and called the “Party Pros,” arrange and carry out the events in a manner so the parents enjoy their time during their child’s birthday.  In addition to birthday parties, Cranium Academy offers holiday and summer camps. These camps have been a great option for all families, especially those who attend Orange County Public Schools and are in need of child care when school is not in session.

In addition to a progressive way of learning, the Cranium Academy offers families educational programs past the age of toddlers and kindergartners. Currently, they offer curriculum up to second grade and will be growing to add one grade per year until they reach the fifth-grade level. The innovative action to see a child’s education beyond the age of preschool proves their commitment to all of their student’s success and future growth.