LIGHTBRIDGE ACADEMY BLUE BELL

Our daughter has attended Lightbridge Bluebell since the school opened. Since Kellie came in as director, along with Dana and Taylor, the school has become much better. The overall feel is warmer, teacher turnover has been reduced and there is more of a curriculum in place. Of course the teachers are what matters most and our daughter is currently in the best classroom yet with Bashir and Joanne who are amazing teachers. They work so hard to make sure the kids all feel included and are learning new things every day. Our daughter has learned so much with them and is excited to see them every day. They are the best.

Our son has attended Lightbridge Academy of Blue Bell since they first opened their doors in 2024, and we’ve had a truly wonderful experience! He’s moved through three classrooms so far and has had several teachers — all of whom have been caring, patient, and amazing in their own unique ways. Like any little kid, he’s faced a few challenges along the way, but with the support of his teachers, we’ve worked through them together. Potty training was a bit of a journey (no fault of Lightbridge — our older son took his time too!), but the staff was always understanding and supportive. I’ve seen some reviews mention issues like rashes or high turnover. We’ve personally had no issues whatsoever — even during the diaper and pull-up stage — and while some staff changes did happen early on (as you’d expect with a new school), things have been much more stable recently. I truly believe children are resilient and that learning to adapt to change helps them grow into kinder, more confident, and independent little humans. As parents, it’s important to stay positive — our reactions to change can deeply influence how our kids handle it, too. We feel very grateful to have a school so close to home where our child is safe, loved, and nurtured every day. This isn’t our first experience with daycare — our older son is now in grade school — and we can confidently say Lightbridge stands out. Shoutout to Mr. B (Bashir), Ms. Jo, Ms. Tracy, Ms. Nykki, Ms. Bree, Ms. Maddy, and all the amazing teachers and staff (sorry if I am forgetting someone!)— thank you for making it such a safe, fun, and caring place for our little one to grow! 💛 We’d absolutely choose Lightbridge of Blue Bell again!

The school may look clean, shiny, and inviting, and some teachers are great, but that’s where the positives stop. The reality behind the scenes is very different. There is constant staff turnover—three different directors and a revolving door of teachers and office staff in less than a year. Classes are frequently out of ratio, and the organization is chaotic. The owner, Randi, treats staff rudely and shows no respect or value for employees, for differences among people, or even for the children. Families are not welcomed, staff are not supported, and what looks like a polished, professional environment is really just smoke and mirrors. I rarely write reviews, but I strongly urge anyone considering this school to look elsewhere. There are many schools where your child will be valued, where staff are treated with respect, and where the experience matches the image. This school is all glitter on the surface and chaos underneath—don’t be fooled.

UPDATE: We went to visit Ms Tracy recently to pick up artwork and while Kellie has let other past parents in the building, we were told we weren't allowed. Didn't acknowledge my son and acted like we were intruders by opening the door 3 inches. -- We chose LBA when it opened in 2024 because of its proximity to our home. At the time, getting our son to daycare at a reasonable hour had become increasingly difficult, so the location felt like the right choice. However, in the first year, turnover was extremely high. Before the school even reached its one-year mark, it had gone through four directors, five administrative staff members, and at least seven teachers in my son’s classroom. Additionally, there were at least two teachers promoted on LBA’s social media prior to opening that we never actually met once the school began operating. There was also a period when a disruptive student in my son’s classroom was verbally and physically aggressive toward other children. I observed incidents on the classroom cameras, including objects being thrown, students being pulled by the hair, and even a child being strangled. My son later confirmed that he, too, had been strangled. The behavior escalated to the point where one of his classmates eventually left the school. When I raised these concerns via email, I received no response for two days. I later learned that the owner was attending a funeral, which I completely understand. However, since three additional staff members (Kellie, Taylor, and Concetta) were copied on the email, it was frustrating that not one person acknowledged receipt or provided a temporary response. On that Friday, I spoke in person with Randi (the owner), as well as Kellie, Taylor, and Concetta, to express my concerns. Unfortunately, that interaction left me feeling dismissed. While I was explaining what I had witnessed and why I felt my child was not safe, Randi initially did not respond at all. When she did, she said, “I disagree, those are your words.” As a parent paying $1,500 a month and addressing concerns about my child’s safety—as well as the safety of others—I felt my concerns were not taken seriously. When I mentioned I would escalate the matter to corporate, she replied, “You can call whoever!” in a tone I felt was unprofessional and dismissive. (Which I did, and I was not the first to call about her or the school). To be clear, I do have empathy for Randi given her family loss, but I do not believe that justified the way I was spoken to. The conversation was unprofessional, uncalled for, and left me feeling unwelcome. The following Monday, the disruptive student was moved to another classroom and I ended up meeting with Kellie and Taylor the following Friday to which they respectfully listened to my concerns but told me the students room move was not related to my concerns. Within a month or so of the meeting, the student was no longer enrolled at the school. Once that child left, the situation improved considerably. Still, my trust had been shaken, and from that day forward, I only felt fully comfortable with Ms. Tracy, who was consistently professional, trustworthy, and caring. I was very open in saying that if she ever left, our family would also leave. Thankfully, she stayed through our son’s time at LBA until he transitioned to kindergarten. Since that incident, I have avoided speaking directly with Randi, as I did not feel comfortable doing so. Before enrolling I had read reviews of her management at the FW location (which they no longer own) and I unfortunately felt validated in my experience. I want to emphasize that while things improved after the concerning student left, my experience in raising safety concerns and the way I was treated during that process was deeply disappointing. As a parent, I expect open communication, professionalism, and respect when advocating for my child’s well-being.

Our 4-month-old son recently started at this daycare, and our initial experience has been very positive. The facility is consistently clean and well-maintained, which was a top priority for us. What has truly stood out, however, is the staff. The teachers have been wonderful—they are not only kind and nurturing but also highly communicative about our son's progress. We appreciate the app they use, which provides regular updates on his feedings, naps, and other daily activities, giving us peace of mind throughout the day. We feel very confident and happy with our decision.