Little Lions Learning Academy: Nurturing Young Minds in San Antonio and South Fayette

Little Lions Learning Academy encompasses two distinct educational programs. One, located in San Antonio, TX, serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. The other, the Little Lions Early Learning Academy, is based at South Fayette High School and focuses on early childhood learning. Both share a commitment to fostering a positive and enriching environment for young learners, but differ significantly in their structure and approach.

Little Lions Learning Academy in San Antonio, TX

This private school caters to a diverse student body, emphasizing small-group learning opportunities and a compassionate approach to education.

Overview

Located in a suburban setting in San Antonio, Texas, Little Lions Learning Academy serves 105 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. The school is nonsectarian and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 with 7 teachers on staff, supporting its early childhood and elementary programs. It ranks in the top 20% of Texas private schools for student diversity, with 95% of students representing diverse backgrounds. Enrollment includes 45 students in grades K-6.

Mission and Vision

The school's mission is to assist and guide the child and parent/guardian in overcoming the child's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional challenges leading to self-confidence and independence. The vision is to foster a welcoming environment that supports every child in re-joining society, offering all children the opportunity to learn. They aim to educate children from a young age about empathy, embracing differences, and willingness to help others, believing that everyone, including children with special needs, has a valuable role in society and can contribute positively.

Special Needs Focus and Holistic Approach

Little Lions Learning Academy distinguishes itself through its compassionate holistic approach, particularly in supporting children with special needs. Founder and Directress Phoebe De Leon is deeply committed to offering a comprehensive education for these children, aiming to help them achieve their fullest potential physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally. De Leon, having personally experienced the challenges of raising a child with special needs, hopes to fill the gap that no other schools and enrichment centers can offer.

Read also: Unlock Student Savings at PLT

The academy features a designated play area that offers great opportunities for children to improve their physical skills, such as movement, balance, body awareness, fine motor skills, and coordination, as well as their cognitive abilities, including understanding cause and effect and developing social skills, all in an enjoyable and safe setting. The sensory play area creates a stress-free atmosphere, making it particularly beneficial for children facing challenges, as it allows them to process information more effectively while experiencing less frustration and anxiety.

The school has Experienced and Licensed Teachers. Their committed team of skilled professionals, including Sped Educational Therapist, Speech Therapists, and Occupational Therapists, collaborates closely with each other and parents to assist children in achieving their fullest potential. They maintain a low educator-to-student ratio of 1:2 to ensure that each child's needs receive the highest level of attention.

Key Features

Student-Teacher Ratio: A low student-teacher ratio of 6:1.
Diversity: High level of student diversity, ranking in the top 20% of Texas private schools.
Location: Situated in a large suburban community, offering co-educational early childhood and day care programs.
Focus: Emphasis on supporting children with physical, cognitive, social, and emotional challenges.
Experienced Staff: Skilled professionals including therapists and educators dedicated to individualized attention.

Nearby Schools

Several other private schools are located near Little Lions Learning Academy in San Antonio, offering various educational options for families in the area:

1211 N Ellison Dr San Antonio, TX 78251: Grades PK-K, approximately 55 students.
11161 Westwood Loop San Antonio, TX 78253: Grade K, approximately 11 students.
11400 Culebra Rd San Antonio, TX 78253: Grades PK-3, approximately 41 students.
10606 Liberty Field Rd San Antonio, TX 78254: Grade K, approximately 9 students.
7611 Leslie Rd San Antonio, TX 78254: Grades PK-K, approximately 255 students.

South Fayette Little Lions Early Learning Academy

This program, based within South Fayette High School, provides early childhood learning opportunities while simultaneously training high school students in early childhood education.

Program Overview

The South Fayette Little Lions Early Learning Academy at South Fayette High School offers a 4-day class in the morning and afternoon to enhance early childhood learning opportunities for the community. It is a high school Early Childhood laboratory program designed to prepare high school students for roles in the workforce involving young children.

Read also: Fostering Bilingualism

Unique Learning Environment

This program distinguishes itself by integrating high school students into the teaching process. Although a certified teacher is always in the classroom, the high school students are the primary instructors, teaching lessons and practicing the theories of early childhood education within the classroom environment. All high school students must take a Child Psychology class before participating in the program and are under the supervision and guidance of the teacher.

Benefits for Little Lions

The advantages of such a program are abundant for all. Within our play based educational program, the Little Lions are provided with the positive benefits such as social interactions with peers, modeling from the high school students of language skills and social behaviors, and involvement in a caring and productive classroom environment. While at Little Lions, students will learn 2D and 3D shapes, math concepts, letter recognition, phonemic awareness, rhyming, and writing skills. Student learning will be fun and creative as they will participate in a variety of activities. Throughout the year there are many special experiences for the children such as guest speakers, special activities, and parties. However, positive self-esteem is the main goal, so that your child may be successful in future years. The program at South Fayette emphasizes the importance of this development within every child.

Curriculum and Activities

Student learning will be fun and creative as they will participate in a variety of activities. Throughout the year there are many special experiences for the children such as guest speakers, special activities, and parties. While at Little Lions, students will learn 2D and 3D shapes, math concepts, letter recognition, phonemic awareness, rhyming, and writing skills.

The program emphasizes the importance of positive self-esteem, aiming to help each child feel secure, develop social skills, and prepare for their kindergarten experience. Your student’s year at Little Lions culminates in a field trip experience and recognition ceremony.

Lottery Registration

The Little Lions program utilizes a lottery registration process. The lottery registration period will run from December 3 - December 20, 2025. Information about how to submit a request during these dates can be found on the Lottery Registration tab.

Key Benefits

Social Interaction: Opportunities for social interactions with peers.
Modeling: Positive modeling of language skills and social behaviors from high school students.
Comprehensive Curriculum: Focus on shapes, math concepts, letter recognition, and writing skills.
Positive Self-Esteem: Emphasis on developing a strong sense of self-worth and confidence.
Kindergarten Preparation: Designed to prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten.

tags: #Little #Lions #Learning #Academy #information