Ivybrook Academy Franchise

Ivybrook Academy began with a Weddington, North Carolina school operated by McWilliams Education Services, LLC in 2007. Drew and Jennifer McWilliams are identified as co-founders in the June 4, 2026 FDD. The franchisor, Ivybrook Franchising, LLC, was formed in North Carolina on March 26, 2015, and Item 1 states that it began selling franchises in 2015.

The FDD records a change of ownership on August 29, 2025, when Ivybrook OpCo LLC acquired the membership interests in the franchisor and two affiliated businesses. OpCo is part of a holding structure ultimately owned by Crux I Ivybrook (Aggregator), LP. Drew and Jennifer McWilliams retained an ownership interest in the holding company through their own entity.

The school offers a half-day preschool model, with the option to offer private kindergarten courses. Item 1 describes the general market as children ages one to six and explains that summer camps replace regular programs during the summer. Approved programs, local licensing and campus capacity determine what a particular school can offer.

Item 7 estimates $643,400–$1,174,500 to open a single school, including a $50,000 franchise fee. The estimate assumes a leased space of approximately 6,000–7,000 square feet and reflects potential tenant-improvement allowances, which are not guaranteed. It assumes existing HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems and excludes certain sitework, approval and permit costs; constructing or purchasing a building can cost substantially more.

Before opening, Ivybrook assists with identifying a real estate broker, reviewing potential sites, one representative site-review visit, reviewing the letter of intent and advising on school layout. A $10,000 real estate and facility coordination fee applies. Owners participate in the site process and remain responsible for their lease, local requirements and construction, using approved architectural and general-contractor services. Ivybrook also provides supplier specifications and access to its Brand Standards Manual.

Ivybrook University provides approximately 80 hours of initial instruction through an online learning portal and training at the affiliated school in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. The curriculum covers business startup and real estate; marketing, enrollment and operations; and school setup. Item 11 also requires an owner and another staff representative or school administrator to complete two weeks of in-person training at an approved training school before opening. The relationship between these training components and the final attendee roster should be confirmed during onboarding.

The $15,000 training and opening support fee includes the initial training program. Attendees pay their travel and living expenses, and at least one owner and the school administrator must complete training satisfactorily before an opening date is approved. On-site assistance before the grand opening is discretionary, including its duration, rather than a guaranteed full week of support.

Ongoing assistance includes designated curricula, manual updates, pricing guidance, a standard chart of accounts, general operating advice by telephone or email, and access to system improvements made available to franchisees generally. Refresher training may be required at the owner’s expense. Periodic campus visits and additional training are discretionary. Owners hire and manage their own staff, oversee required qualifications and fund local and opening marketing.

Ivybrook Academy offers a focused education concept for families seeking half-day preschool learning, enrichment and socialization. For a buyer interested in early childhood education, the opportunity is to build a local school around an established curriculum, learning environment and operating framework while developing relationships with families and educators.

The model calls for active ownership and school leadership. Item 15 requires an owner serving as chief executive officer to hold at least a 10% interest and participate on-site for at least 20 hours a week during the first year, subject to the stated absence exceptions. A trained school administrator must provide at least 40 hours a week of on-site supervision; the chief executive officer and administrator may be the same person.

This structure may suit an owner prepared to combine community involvement with team leadership and campus oversight. Evaluate the local demand, school development budget and staffing plan alongside the curriculum and training framework.

For questions about local demand, staffing, program requirements and working capital, use our children’s franchise buyer guide alongside the documents for this opportunity.