Last year, Germantown Academy (GA) announced plans for the new Sapling Center that supports early childhood development. The building is designed to support the school’s youngest learners, who are infants all the way to three years old. Getting ready to welcome its first students in Sept. 2026, the center hopes to create a safe, inclusive and joyful learning environment where children can play and grow. Additionally, the building has spaces designed specifically for early childhood development, such as classrooms, a community room and a new playground.
“We want to provide a program in a space that offers a healthy and happy foundation for young children,” Ms. Amanda Mithcell, Early Childhood Coordinator, said. “We know that the early childhood years are a time of tremendous growth and development, so our goal is to create environments and learning experiences that set students up for success both now and in the future.”
The new Sapling Center aims to offer young children an environment that can aid in their development. By focusing on early learning, the program wants to give the children opportunities to have hands-on learning. By investing in a space that will be used by infants to 3-year-olds, GA aims to lay the foundation for students before they join the Lower School.
Students will also be able to explore outdoor gardens, participate in sensory play and do hands-on activities that will help them grow creatively and physically. The building will also have a community room where kids can stay active in the winter and a lending library that will help them learn to read and write early on.
The idea for the Sapling Center comes from a 10-year plan generated from countless discussions about how GA could better support families and younger learners in the community. Administrators and faculty began looking into ways to expand early childhood programs and create spaces specifically designed for the developmental needs of infants and toddlers.
The name “Sapling Center” symbolizes the four trees on the Quad. Similar to how a sapling grows into a strong tree, the idea of the young learners growing physically and intellectually is reflected in the name. The project aims to give children an environment where they feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn.
“We want families to walk into the building and feel cozy and at home, knowing their children are safe, loved and cared for while also receiving a strong educational foundation,” Mr. Rich Schellhas, Head of School, said.
Construction of the Sapling Center is expected to occur over the rest of the school year, and aims to welcome its first students next school year. The Sapling Center will provide infants through toddlers with spaces designed specifically for their needs in this crucial period of growth and development. The school hopes that the new center will become a key part of the GA community, giving young learners a place to start their educational journey in a supportive and joyful environment.