Park Ridge Academy
(972) 223-7913
Address: 415 E Parkerville Rd, DeSoto, TX 75115
Texas Rising Star Certified Childcare in DeSoto & Lancaster
Raising a child is one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences a person can have. When preparing them for the future, you want to ensure they have every advantage possible. While a typical K through 12 education can prepare them, what if there were a way to set them up for success even earlier?
The Texas Rising Star program offers children a high-quality early learning experience that parents can trust. Texas Rising Star certification is available to licensed centers and licensed or registered childcare home facilities that meet the certification standards. If you’re in the DeSoto and Lancaster areas, Southwest Academies provides Texas Rising Star-certified childcare at four different locations. Discover how our academies surpass expectations in early education, safety, and family engagement.
What Is the Texas Rising Star Program?
The Texas Rising Star program is a quality rating and improvement system for early learning centers across the state of Texas. It allows parents to assess the credibility of an early learning establishment and provides academies with a standardized rubric for further development and refinement. The Texas Rising Star program works on a three-star system, ranging from two to four stars. Each level determines how many quality standards the institution may meet and typically how expensive its care will be. Each qualifying early learning program is graded on certain factors with varying “weight” assigned to each factor, including:
- Director and staff qualifications and training (20%)
- Teacher-child interactions (40%)
- Program administration (20%)
- Indoor and outdoor environments (20%)
The methodology for determining the star level of a category is based on the early learning program’s average score across all measures of a category:
Four-Star—average score is 2.4 or greater (80%of total possible points)
Three-Star—average score is 1.80 to 2.39 (60–79.9% of total possible points)
Two-Star—average score is below 1.80 (less than 60% of total possible points)
The Texas Rising Star Provider Certification was first introduced in 1991 to evaluate early learning programs and has seen consistent improvements to this day. The goal of the Texas Rising Star program is to improve the base for all early learning programs while standardizing this new level of quality across the state.
Why Families in DeSoto & Lancaster Trust Texas Rising Star Providers
Since 1991, parents across DeSoto, Lancaster, and the surrounding areas have trusted Texas Rising Star providers like Southwest Academies for high-quality early childhood learning. Our specialized educators utilize structured programs to foster learning, personal growth, and meaningful achievements within our students. We prioritize not only our students but parents as well, ensuring they maintain their part in their child’s education and development.
Our mission is to ensure your child receives a comprehensive educational experience that nurtures their mind, body, and spirit. Families continue to rely on Texas Rising Star providers because of our commitment to helping children find and develop a passion for learning. Through our well-rounded curriculum, students get the opportunity to develop their motor and social skills, alongside their academic abilities. For parents looking to nurture well-rounded individuals who excel in both school and society, Southwest Academies is the perfect option for you and your family.
Southwest Academies’ Commitment to Quality Education
For decades, Southwest Academies has committed to providing high-quality education and a supportive environment that addresses every part of our students’ development. Between our 4 locations, we ensure your child can receive a comprehensive education, whether they’re in DeSoto, Lancaster, or the surrounding areas.
Texas Rising Star Standards at Our Four Locations
All of our locations are 100% Texas Rising Star certified, offering learning programs for infants, toddlers, pre-kindergarten, and school-age children ranging from 4 weeks to 13 years old. Our before and after school ensures your child’s safety as you balance any hectic workplace demands. Southwest Academies also offers summer camp programs led by a driven team of educators. No matter what program your child is enrolled in at Southwest Academies, the well-being of our students is our number one concern.
To ensure a healthy environment where our students can focus on learning, all our locations offer breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack, and dinner. All our recipes are USDA-approved and follow all Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines. We understand children need a balanced nutritional diet to promote proper growth and development.
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Berne Academy
(972) 227-4431
Address: 1311 Johns Ave, Lancaster, TX 75134
Forest Park Academy
(972) 298-5467
Address: 2024 N Westmoreland Rd, DeSoto, TX 75115
First Step Learning Center
(972) 230-8100
Address: 335 S Hampton Rd, DeSoto, TX 75115
Benefits of Enrolling in a Texas Rising Star-Certified Center
The main benefit of enrolling your child in a Texas Rising Star-certified center is knowing they’re getting an education you can trust. Any institution certified by Texas Rising Star meets the standards set by the state, ensuring your child has the tools to grow and develop. Some other tangible benefits include children:
- Being prepared for academic success.
- Experiencing social, emotional, and cognitive development.
- Building independence and confidence.
- Seeing improved communication.
Being prepared for academic success
Early education programs have been proven to help children achieve better academic results throughout all years of education, including high school completion rates.
Experiencing social, emotional, and cognitive development
Kids introduced to an assortment of peers and teachers practice how to pick up on and navigate social situations from a young age. By sharing and cooperating with others, they then gain important problem-solving skills and learn how to navigate their emotions.
Building independence and confidence
Quality early education programs create a safe environment where children can make conscious choices and complete tasks for themselves. By giving them the chance to do things for themselves, they build a natural confidence that will support them through school and the real world.
Seeing improved communication
Early education programs expose your children to a variety of cultures and communication styles. By experiencing new communication styles up close, they can find and practice new ways to express themselves.
How to Enroll at a Texas Rising Star Center in DeSoto or Lancaster
Enrolling your child in a Texas Rising Star center is a fairly simple decision and a big investment in their future. These programs provide a solid educational foundation, enhance social and emotional skills, and set the stage for lifelong learning and success. Our team makes enrollment an easy process for parents. It begins with parents filling out a registration form for each child they are looking to enroll in our programs. We then have a meeting with the parents that goes through the following:
- An overview of the pricing.
- A guided tour through our building.
- Information about what their child will need to bring with
them everyday. - Detailed information about our routines throughout the day.
- A Q/A session to ensure that all additional questions that parents
have are answered.
If you’re interested in the benefits Southwest Academies can bring to you and your family, don’t hesitate to contact us today!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Texas Rising Star certification means that the provider has proven itself capable of meeting the fundamental educational requirements provided by the state of Texas.
Yes, all our Southwest Academies locations are Texas Rising Star certified.
Texas Rising Star improves early learning outcomes by ensuring programs maintain quality. When this quality is achieved, it ensures positive qualities within students, such as:
- Preparation for academic success.
- Social, emotional, and cognitive development.
- Increased independence and confidence.
- Improved communication skills
Yes, you can use CCS scholarships at Southwest Academies and any other Texas Rising Star-certified centers.
To receive a Texas Rising Star certification, you must pass a quality evaluation on the following metrics:
- Director and staff qualifications and training.
- Teacher-child interactions.
- Program administration.
- Indoor and outdoor environments.
Contact Us
To inquire about rates, enrollment, or other questions simply call us
