Saddle Up!

The Academy of Indian Lake Village transformed into the Wild West, where our little cowboys and cowgirls explored, discovered, and had a rootin' tootin' good time!

Throughout the week, our students put on their western best and enjoyed exciting hands-on activities that encouraged creativity, teamwork, and imagination. They panned for "gold," built their own western towns, practiced their lasso skills, and explored the sights and sounds of life on the frontier through dramatic play, art, and sensory activities.

Our classrooms were filled with western-themed learning experiences as students practiced counting with horseshoes, created cowboy crafts, explored the desert habitat, and learned about ranch animals. From tiny tumbleweeds to towering cacti, our little learners discovered that every adventure is an opportunity to grow!

We believe learning should be engaging, hands-on, and full of adventure. Wild Wild West Week gave our students the opportunity to build confidence, strengthen friendships, and learn through play—all while having an incredible time.

Happy Trails! 🤠

Happy 250th Birthday USA!

What a star-spangled celebration we had at The Academy as we honored America's 250th birthday!

Our classrooms were filled with patriotic fun and hands-on learning as students explored the magic behind fireworks in safe and exciting ways. Little artists created colorful firework masterpieces by blowing paint through straws, making beautiful bursts of red, white, and blue while strengthening their creativity and fine motor skills. Students also became little scientists during our "Fireworks in a Bottle" experiment, watching colorful reactions swirl and sparkle as they learned through observation and discovery.

One of the biggest highlights of the day was a visit from Ms. USA and her giant patriotic pants! Students laughed, cheered, and tested their throwing skills as they aimed balls at the oversized stars-and-stripes pants. It was a hilarious activity that had everyone smiling and celebrating together.

We are so thankful for the opportunity to help our students learn about our country's history while creating joyful childhood memories. Wishing all of our Academy families a safe, happy, and fun-filled Fourth of July weekend!

Happy 250th Birthday, America! ❤️🤍💙

Let's Get Moving

AOILV is full of energy, excitement, and active fun as we celebrated our Weekly Summer of Imagination Theme, "Let's Get Moving!" Inspired by the excitement of Team USA and the world's love of soccer, our children enjoyed a variety of sports-themed activities that encouraged movement, teamwork, and healthy habits.

We hosted our special Father's Day event, "Kickin' It with Dad!" Families joined us for a memorable day of fun and connection as children and their dads participated in an exciting kickball tournament! Smiles filled the playground as families cheered each other on, practiced their skills, and made lasting memories.

Athletes got creative by decorating wooden soccer-themed crafts. The children enjoyed expressing their creativity while learning about one of the world's most popular sports and the many countries that participate in the FIFA World Cup.

Skill drills on our inflatable sports arena helped build coordination, balance, confidence, and teamwork while encouraging children to stay active and have fun!

As we continue exploring new ways to learn through movement, we look forward to many more opportunities to stay active, build confidence, and have fun together. Go Team USA, and keep moving!

Let's Build!

There has been no shortage of creativity at The Academy of Indian Lake Village during our "Let's Build!" theme! Our classrooms have transformed into construction zones where children have been designing, building, testing, and rebuilding through hands-on play and exploration.

Students put their engineering skills to work by creating boats that float, experimenting with different materials and designs to see which creations could stay afloat. Through trial and error, children discovered that sometimes the best inventions come after a few adjustments!

Our young builders also designed exciting obstacle courses, challenging themselves and their friends to climb, crawl, jump, and navigate their way through each creation. These activities encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and plenty of active fun.

Water play took on a whole new purpose as students worked together to build walls, dams, and structures, exploring how water moves and discovering ways to redirect its flow. It was amazing to watch their ideas come to life as they tested and improved their designs.

Inside the classroom, children explored tool kits and construction tools through dramatic play and hands-on activities. They learned about the important jobs builders do and how different tools help us create and fix things.

One of the most exciting days of the week was LEGO Day—the ultimate celebration of building! From towering skyscrapers to imaginative creations straight from their minds, our students showed off incredible creativity and persistence as they snapped, stacked, and constructed their masterpieces.

Through every obstacle course, floating boat, water wall, and LEGO tower, our students have been learning that building is about much more than blocks and bricks. It's about creativity, teamwork, perseverance, and believing that with a little imagination, you can build just about anything.

We're having a blast watching our little builders dream big, think creatively, and construct amazing memories along the way! 🏗️🧱🚧✨

Tie Dye Day at Camp Academy

Our students showed off their brightest tie-dye outfits and spent the day celebrating all things colorful. The classrooms were bursting with rainbow hues as children explored creative activities, colorful art projects, and hands-on learning experiences inspired by the vibrant patterns of tie-dye.

We talked about colors, practiced color recognition, and discovered how different colors can mix together to create something completely new—just like our unique and wonderful students! From colorful crafts to lots of laughter with friends, the day was filled with bright smiles and even brighter memories.

Tie-Dye Day reminded us that learning is always more fun when we add a little color, creativity, and imagination. We loved seeing each child's personality shine through their colorful outfits and creations.

Summer Kickoff

We officially kicked off summer at The Academy of Indian Lake Village with a day full of sandy fun, beachy creativity, and sunshine-filled memories!

Our students celebrated the start of summer by creating colorful sand art masterpieces and decorating adorable shoreline stickers inspired by ocean adventures and sunny days ahead. The excitement continued at our sandy snack bar where little beach-goers enjoyed tasty treats while soaking up all the summer vibes.

Of course, the biggest splash of the day was our Summer Bucket List surprise! Each student received their very own summer bucket filled with goodies to help start the season in style. Buckets included sunglasses for those bright sunny days, Sun Chips for snack-time adventures, and a beach ball ready for endless summer fun!

Cloud 9 Prom

Our Pre-Kindergarten 3 students floated all the way to Cloud 9 for a magical evening full of dancing, laughter, and sweet memories! ☁️✨This is an exclusive event for our graduating students.

From fluffy clouds and rainbow touches to smiling faces twirling across the dance floor, the night was truly a dream come true. Our little stars arrived dressed to impress and spent the evening dancing with their special grown-ups, sharing snacks, sipping fun drinks, and celebrating the friendships that have blossomed throughout the years.

One of the sweetest moments of the evening was crowning our Cloud 9 Prom Royalty! Based on the students who have spent the longest time growing, learning, and making memories at the Academy, we were so excited to announce King Connor and Queen Bexlee! 👑☁️ Their sparkling smiles made the moment even more magical as the crowd cheered them on.

The room was filled with joy, music, and the kind of excitement only preschoolers can bring. Whether they were showing off their best dance moves, posing for pictures, or simply running around “on cloud 9,” every moment was packed with happiness and wonder.

Thank you to our amazing families for joining us for this unforgettable celebration. Watching our students beam with confidence, joy, and love reminded us just how special these preschool years truly are.

Until next time, keep your heads in the clouds and your hearts full of sunshine! ☁️🌈💛

Critter Magic

Today, our preschool was filled with wonder, laughter, and a little bit of magic as the incredible Bruce Amato visited for a spectacular show! As part of our Frog Street theme, Critters and Changes, the timing could not have been more perfect. The children were amazed as everyday objects transformed before their eyes — reminding us that change can be exciting, surprising, and full of joy.

The biggest squeals of the day came when Bruce introduced a very special furry critter… a real bunny! Tiny hands waved in excitement as students learned that magic isn’t just about tricks — it’s about imagination, curiosity, and believing in the impossible. From giggles to gasps, the room was bursting with smiles from start to finish.

At AOILV, we love bringing learning to life through hands-on experiences, and today’s magical adventure was one our little learners will be talking about for a long time. ✨🐰

Make It! with MOM

At, The Academy of Indian Lake Village, we believe the sweetest memories are the ones made together. 💕 This week, we celebrated all the amazing moms, grandmas, aunts, and maternal figures who fill our children’s lives with love during our Make It With Mom event! Families joined us in the enrichment room to pour, layer, and design beautiful candles using colorful wax sand and a little imagination.

A Little Poem for Mom

Tiny hands and hearts so true,

Made something bright and warm for you.

With every color, spark, and flame,

We celebrate your love today.

From giggles and creativity to the sweetest cuddles, our school was glowing with love all day long. Thank you to all the special women who joined us and helped make this celebration so memorable! 🕯️✨

AOILV Zoo Grand Opening

Welcome to the grand opening of the AOILV Zoo—where imagination ran wild and learning came to life! Our playground transformed into a lively safari, with teachers spotted grazing as a majestic elephant, a roaring lion, and a striped zebra. Before entering, our little zookeepers took charge by designing, curating, and ordering their very own zoo tickets—talk about hands-on learning! From creative play to problem-solving, every moment was packed with excitement and discovery. The laughter was loud, the creativity was endless, and the memories were simply wild. At AOILV, we don’t just learn—we go on adventures! 🐾

Tiny Tunes & Big Vibes: Kids Coachella at AOILV

Our little learners turned up the volume for a day of music, movement, and magic at Kids Coachella! 🎶☀️ From the moment the music started, the excitement was contagious as children explored rhythm and sound with a live keyboard performance that had everyone clapping, swaying, and dancing along.

The fun didn’t stop there—our bounce house brought big energy and even bigger smiles, while interactive games encouraged teamwork, turn-taking, and problem-solving. At our fan-favorite “Boba Bar,” children cooled off with sugar-free lemonade and chose between strawberry or mango popping boba for a refreshing treat—hands-on fun that also supports sensory exploration!

Events like Kids Coachella align with Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards (TN-ELDS) by promoting social-emotional development through shared experiences, physical development through active play, and cognitive growth through music, patterns, and cause-and-effect exploration.

Fun fact: The real Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival started in 1999 in California and is known for its iconic Ferris wheel, art installations, and world-famous music performances. While ours may be pint-sized, the joy was just as big! 🎡✨

At our school, we believe learning happens everywhere—even on the dance floor!

A Hole in One Day

We had a tee-rific time celebrating our very own preschool version of the Masters with a Masters Par-TEE that was truly above par! Our little golfers hit the green (aka the playground!) for a fun-filled day of learning, laughter, and lots of swings and smiles.

The highlight of the day? Our “not-so-mini” mini golf course featuring nine creative holes spread across the playground! Each hole brought its own challenge—from weaving through cones to putting around playful obstacles—encouraging our students to practice patience, coordination, and problem-solving. Let’s just say… there were plenty of hole-in-ones and even more giggles!

As our young caddies made their way through the course, they were building important skills aligned with the Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards (TN ELDS). Through this activity, students strengthened:
Physical Development: Practicing balance, coordination, and control while putting and navigating each hole

Cognitive Development: Planning shots, adjusting strategies, and counting strokes

Social & Emotional Development: Taking turns, cheering on friends, and showing perseverance when the course got tricky

We also sprinkled in some counting fun as students kept track of their “par,” turning math into a playful, hands-on experience. Talk about a major learning moment!

To top it all off, our little golfers showed incredible sportsmanship—proving they’re not just masters of the course, but also masters of kindness and teamwork. 💚

It was a day full of sunshine, smiles, and swings that were simply un-fore-gettable! We’d say this event was definitely on par with the best… and we’re already looking forward to next year’s round!