The LEAP School Celebrates 40 Years of Serving Young Children and Families in Lexington, Bedford, and Sudbury (Clone)

2 min
Sep 25, 2025

Celebrations and family fun planned to commemorate the milestone 

Lexington, MA – September 25, 2025 The LEAP School, a leader in early childhood education, proudly announces the celebration of its 40th anniversary. Since 1985, The LEAP School has been dedicated to meeting the developmental needs of young children through child-centered approaches, highly individualized support, and a deep commitment to families in the communities of Lexington, Bedford, and Sudbury. 

leap-40-anniversary-logoOver the past four decades, much has changed in society, but the fundamental needs of young children remain the same: small classrooms, highly qualified educators, and opportunities for creativity, exploration, and self-expression. LEAP, short for Language Enrichment Arts Program, has stayed true to its founding principles, focusing on open-ended creativity, hands-on exploration, and individualized learning that supports the whole child. 

“It is our joy and privilege to have worked in our communities for such a substantial period of time,” said Tricia Wilson, Executive Director at The LEAP School.  “Partnering with parents to support growth and development of the children in our care is very gratifying.  Our philosophy emphasizes community, connection, and social and emotional development, and our educators encourage children to practice sharing ideas and solving problems together while they play. These experiences form lifelong bonds and friendships beyond preschool years.”   

To mark this milestone anniversary, all LEAP School locations will host a special 40th Anniversary Celebration on October 4, 2025. The community is invited to enjoy a Touch-A-Truck experience, a children’s book swap, family-friendly games and crafts, and refreshments. The event is open to current families, alumni, and neighbors as a way to celebrate four decades of learning, connection, and community. 

“Our role is to meet children where they are while providing experiences that encourage curiosity and deeper understanding of the world around them,” Wilson explained.  “In addition, our teachers participate in ongoing professional development, which is vital to designing a creative, playful curriculum attentive to all areas of development which can be customized for each class.” 

Founded in 1985 by Robin Shapiro, MA, who combined her expertise in Expressive Art Therapy with traditional early childhood education, The LEAP School has maintained a reputation for excellence with small class sizes and a highly qualified teaching team. In 2023, The LEAP School joined Busy Bees North America, the continent’s leading provider of early years education, gaining additional resources while preserving the culture and values that have defined the school for four decades. 

As The LEAP School celebrates this milestone anniversary, its mission remains clear: to support children and families with creativity, compassion, and individualized care, just as it has for the last 40 years. 

About The LEAP School 
Founded in 1985, The LEAP School (Language Enrichment Arts Program) provides high-quality early childhood education in Lexington, Bedford, and Sudbury, Massachusetts. With a focus on open-ended creativity, hands-on exploration, and individualized learning, LEAP supports the developmental needs of young children while partnering closely with families. Since 2023, The LEAP School has been part of Busy Bees North America, the leading provider of early years education. 

About Busy Bees North America 

Busy Bees North America is one of the leading child care providers on the continent with more than 240 schools across Canada and the USA, including the states of California, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio, and Arizona. The organization is dedicated to providing exceptional care and education to children with an innovative curriculum that ignites curiosity and sets the stage for a lifelong love of learning.  Learn more at https://www.busybeesna.com/