Opening Spring 2027
Spring Lake, North Carolina
Smiling girl in a sunlit classroom
Premier Private Early Childhood Education

Where Little LearnersAre Destined forGreat Things.™

An Exceptional Foundation. An Education Without Limits.

At Carolina Early Learners Academy (CELA), we believe children are capable of far more than the world sometimes expects. That's why we're creating an elevated early childhood educational experience where academic excellence, innovation, creativity, and individualized development come together.

We're not simply creating a place for children to attend. We're creating a place for them to excel.

★OPENING SPRING 2027
★Spring Lake, North Carolina
★Ages Two Through Kindergarten
Dr. Jessica Respus and Mrs. Cathy Scriven
Dr. Jessica Respus
Dr. Jessica Respus
Founder
Mrs. Cathy Scriven
Mrs. Cathy Scriven
Director
Our Foundation

Built Upon an Educational Legacy.

Carolina Early Learners Academy represents the next chapter in an established legacy of educational excellence.

Founder

Dr. Jessica Respus

Founded by Dr. Jessica Respus, a visionary educational entrepreneur and founder of two private schools, CELA represents the next chapter in her legacy of educational excellence.

Her expertise in educational leadership, institutional development, and academic innovation drives a bold vision to redefine early childhood education and establish an exceptional foundation for lifelong learning. Her unwavering commitment to excellence continues to shape opportunities that inspire achievement and empower future generations.

Director

Mrs. Cathy Scriven

Joining her is Mrs. Cathy Scriven, Director, who brings more than 30 years of experience in childcare, Pre-K education, and program leadership. Her expertise in early childhood development

helps ensure purposeful learning, exceptional care, and a strong educational foundation for every child. With a passion for nurturing young minds, she is committed to creating an environment where children feel valued, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. Her leadership inspires excellence at every stage.

Together, their expertise establishes a foundation where educational excellence, purposeful learning, and exceptional care come together.

Group of smiling students
Backed by
Cumberland County Christian School
And
Beyond the Spectrum Institute
Welcome to CELA

Little Minds. Limitless Possibilities. Extraordinary Futures.

At Carolina Early Learners Academy, we believe that a child's educational journey should begin with extraordinary opportunities. Serving children ages two through kindergarten, our academy combines academic excellence, innovative learning experiences, purposeful developmental support, and individualized growth.

Backed by the educational leadership behind Cumberland County Christian School and Beyond the Spectrum Institute, CELA brings a distinctive vision to early learning—one that looks beyond kindergarten readiness and toward a lifetime of educational success.

Because the earliest years should open a lifetime of possibility.

Our Vision

More Than Childcare. An Extraordinary Educational Beginning.

Most childcare centers focus on preparing children for kindergarten. At CELA, our vision extends beyond the next classroom.

We are building an early learning experience that nurtures curiosity, strengthens academic foundations, supports developmental growth, and prepares children with the confidence and skills to thrive throughout their educational journey.

Our approach combines the structure of premier academic education with the warmth, creativity, and developmental responsiveness that young children deserve.

Teacher high-fiving a student at drop-off
Outdoor story time
Music and movement
Why Families Choose Us

The Carolina Early Learners Academy Difference

Four commitments that shape every classroom, every day.

Academic Excellence
01

Academic Excellence

Intentional early literacy, mathematics, language, and school-readiness instruction.

Inclusive Development
02

Inclusive Development

Responsive learning experiences that recognize individual strengths and developmental needs.

Innovation & Discovery
03

Innovation & Discovery

Hands-on STEM, robotics exploration, creative thinking, and purposeful play.

Measurable Growth
04

Measurable Growth

Developmental observations, learning portfolios, and meaningful progress communication.

The CELA Difference›
Signature Learning

Five Signature Experiences. One Extraordinary Beginning.

Our planned signature learning experiences distinguish CELA from traditional childcare by combining strong academics, purposeful enrichment, and developmental support.

Little Innovators Lab™
Experience 1 of 5

Little Innovators Lab™

Inspiring Young Thinkers. Cultivating Tomorrow's Innovators.

A hands-on introduction to science, technology, engineering, and math through educational robotics, early coding concepts, creative construction, and collaborative problem-solving.

Explore Our Programs›
A Glimpse Inside

Moments of Discovery & Joy

Hover to pause

Playground funPlayground fun
Early literacyEarly literacy
Science experimentsScience experiments
Building & engineeringBuilding & engineering
Story timeStory time
Microscope discoveryMicroscope discovery
Music & movementMusic & movement
Exploring natureExploring nature
Early mathematicsEarly mathematics
Reading togetherReading together
Little Innovators Lab™Little Innovators Lab™
Exploring our worldExploring our world
Sensory playSensory play
Learning outdoorsLearning outdoors
Digital learningDigital learning
Active playActive play
Playground funPlayground fun
Early literacyEarly literacy
Science experimentsScience experiments
Building & engineeringBuilding & engineering
Story timeStory time
Microscope discoveryMicroscope discovery
Music & movementMusic & movement
Exploring natureExploring nature
Early mathematicsEarly mathematics
Reading togetherReading together
Little Innovators Lab™Little Innovators Lab™
Exploring our worldExploring our world
Sensory playSensory play
Learning outdoorsLearning outdoors
Digital learningDigital learning
Active playActive play
Opening Spring 2027 · Serving Ages 2 Through Kindergarten

Strong Beginnings. Brighter Futures.

We're not simply creating a place for children to attend. We're creating a place for them to excel. Join our founding families and be first to hear about registration.

Submit an Enrollment Inquiry›Explore Our Programs