Hillstone Academy opened its doors Aug. 12, with a remodeled building and program offerings from the 2½ year old Minis to the 4-year-old Pre-K. 

Andrea and Todd Wood of Gilbert recently purchased the award-winning learning dynamics curriculum to open the new preschool, the only preschool in Arizona to offer this program.

They also purchased the building of the former Learning Dynamics Preschool 40 N. Greenfield Road, Gilbert. making the transition for families who wish to enroll seamless. 

Andrea Wood, a mother of two adult daughters and six grandchildren, comes from an academic background having a master’s degree in education and being a college professor of English.

“When Learning Dynamics, the school my grandchildren attended, suddenly closed their doors before the end of the 2023-2024 school year, I, along with all the families enrolled, were devastated," she said in a release. "Todd and I just knew we needed to do something to help."

Along with the learning dynamics curriculum, several familiar faces will be back, such as Melissa Larson, director of operations, and Sheila Stringham, director of education. Both were employed by the previous school and have more than 30 years combined educational experience.

Hillstone Academy will offer an accelerated reading program that ensures children will leave Pre-K reading at the kindergarten or first grade level.

In addition, math, writing, music, art and life learning skills will all be taught.

The plan is to make learning fun and give children the opportunity to play and interact with their peers, while awakening their individual desires to learn and discover.

The Woods moved their family from Utah in 1995 to Gilbert to start a business.

Todd Wood, an entrepreneur, opened Alpine Valley Organic Breads, a nationally recognized organic bread company.

Having successfully sold a little over a decade ago, Todd went on to build the nationally recognized Christopher Todd Communities, Christopher Todd Development and Christopher Todd Capital. Christopher Todd Communities is in the luxury build-to-rent market.

The Woods recognized the value of a brand and said they are looking forward to building Hillstone Academy’s brand in to one that represents a culture of family, truth, safety and academic success.