Strata Learning Academy | August 2026
Welcome to a New School Year
Welcome to a new school year and our first newsletter as Strata Learning Academy!
While our name is changing, the people and community behind our programs remain the same. Strata Learning reflects where we're headed and our continued focus on creating thoughtful, engaging learning experiences for children.
We're excited for the year ahead and grateful to have your family as part of the Strata community.
Rachel Heck
CEO & Founding Partner
Our Classrooms Are Evolving
This year, Strata Learning Academy is beginning a gradual adoption of the Fueling Brains approach across our preschool classrooms.
Over the next several weeks, families will see classroom environments evolve as educators introduce new materials, learning spaces, and routines. These changes will happen gradually and intentionally as children become comfortable and confident in their environments.
Beginning with Routines & Skills
The first weeks of the year are focused on building relationships, establishing predictable routines, and strengthening the skills children need to participate more independently throughout their day.
As these foundations develop, educators will introduce more complex materials and experiences that encourage children to explore, create, communicate, and solve problems.
A Whole-Child Approach to Learning
Our evolving classrooms support development across the whole child, including executive function, language and communication, early math and literacy, creative thinking, physical development, independence, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills.
Educators observe how children engage with their environment and use what they learn to thoughtfully introduce materials, experiences, and opportunities for continued growth.
Assessments Coming in September
Throughout these first weeks, educators are also observing each child's current strengths and emerging skills as part of our developmental assessment process.
Toward the end of September, families will receive access to their child's assessment, providing a shared picture of their development and helping guide learning throughout the year.
We look forward to sharing more as our classrooms continue to evolve.
Strata Learning Animal Adventure Zone
We're bringing a little Strata fun to the 55th Annual Millbrae Art & Wine Festival!
Come visit the Strata Learning Animal Adventure Zone, a family-friendly area featuring the petting zoo, activities, prizes, and more.
September 5 & 6 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Broadway Avenue | Downtown Millbrae
Free Petting Zoo Admission
Visit us in the Animal Adventure Zone for free admission to the petting zoo and a spin on the Strata Learning prize wheel, with giveaway prizes available while supplies last.
Bring Your Strata Tote!
Bring your Strata Learning canvas tote and receive an extra spin on our prize wheel.
The Millbrae Art & Wine Festival is free to attend and features live music, food, art, family activities, and more throughout downtown Millbrae.
We hope to see you at the Strata Learning Animal Adventure Zone!
Dolores Way Academy
Starting the Year Together
A new school year brings new classroom communities, new relationships, and plenty to discover. During these first weeks, our Dolores Way educators are focused on helping children become comfortable with their classrooms, classmates, and daily routines.
For returning children, this is also an opportunity to step into new challenges and greater independence. For children who are new to Dolores Way, educators are taking the time to build trust and help each child develop a sense of belonging in their new environment.
Learning in Action
The beginning of the year is an important learning period in itself.
Children are practicing how to navigate their classroom, care for materials, make choices, participate in group experiences, communicate their needs, and move through transitions. These everyday skills create the foundation that allows children to engage more independently and confidently as the year progresses.
As classroom routines become familiar, families will begin to see educators introduce additional materials and experiences as part of our gradual classroom transformation.
Dates to Know
September 5 & 6 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM - Strata Learning Animal Adventure Zone
Monday, September 7 - Closed for Labor Day
Saturday, September 19 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM - Park Day at Dolores Way
Friday, September 25 | 8:00 AM -12 PM - Picture Day
View the Dolores Way Annual Calendar.
Shelley Marquez
Campus Director
Ortega Academy
Building Our Classroom Community
We're excited to begin another year with our Ortega community.
The first weeks of school are all about connection and consistency. Our educators are helping children learn what to expect throughout their day, become familiar with their classroom environments, and build relationships with the adults and children around them.
These routines may seem simple, but they are an important part of helping children develop confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging.
Learning in Action
As children become familiar with their classrooms, educators are introducing opportunities to practice making choices, following multi-step routines, caring for materials, working alongside others, communicating ideas, and approaching challenges with increasing independence.
Educators are also observing how children interact with different materials and experiences. What captures their attention? How do they approach a problem? When do they persist, ask for help, collaborate, or try something new?
Those everyday moments give educators valuable information about how each child learns.
Dates to Know
September 5 & 6 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM - Strata Learning Animal Adventure Zone
Monday, September 7 - Closed for Labor Day
Saturday, September 19 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM - Park Day at Ortega
View the Ortega Annual Calendar.
Nichole Lancaster
Campus Director
Santa Inez Academy
A Year of Possibilities
There is a lot to look forward to at Santa Inez this year.
As children settle into their classrooms, educators are focused on building strong routines, relationships, and the independence children need to confidently participate in their learning environment.
At the same time, we're beginning a project that will give each classroom an opportunity to leave its own creative mark on one of our favorite Santa Inez spaces.
Learning in Action
During these first weeks, educators are learning just as much about the children as children are learning about their new classrooms.
Educators are observing interests, communication, problem-solving, emerging skills, and how children approach new materials and experiences. These observations help educators make thoughtful decisions about what to introduce next and how to create an environment that challenges children without overwhelming them.
As routines become established, our classroom environments will continue to evolve throughout the coming weeks.
Our Village Adoption Project
This year, every Santa Inez classroom is adopting a space in Our Village!
Each class will take responsibility for helping bring one of our Village spaces to life, such as the Pet Shop, Bakery, and other familiar community spaces.
Children and educators will work together to think about what belongs in their adopted space and then source, create, decorate, and organize materials to fill it.
The project gives children an opportunity to contribute to a shared environment while putting creativity, planning, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving into action. Instead of simply entering a finished space created for them, children become part of the process of building it.
Over time, each Village space will begin to reflect the ideas and contributions of the classroom that adopted it.
We can't wait to watch Our Village become a community built by our children.
Dates to Know
September 5 & 6 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM - Strata Learning Animal Adventure Zone
Monday, September 7 - Closed for Labor Day
Saturday, September 19 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM - Park Day at Santa Inez
View the Santa Inez Annual Calendar.
Erin Olivas
Campus Director