Our Story

The Stanley School was designed around one key idea—to make every day a better day for children in our care.

Alongside their network of advisors, who bring more than 100 years of combined experience in the early learning space, the Thomas family created The Stanley School. We named the school after our beloved Labrador Retriever Stanley, who served as their family's longtime, loyal companion. Stanley demonstrated the foundational values of safety, loyalty, comfort, and guidance while bringing the Thomas family a sense of joy and wonder.

The Thomas family has always been fond of the charm of Chattanooga and all that it has to offer, including world-class education—our owners attended one of the south’s leading educational institutions in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

After seeing a critical need in the southeast for high-quality childcare and preschool programs, our owners met with national leaders in early childhood education to design a program to best support families. 

The Stanley School leadership and staff work tirelessly to empower the children in our care by providing an unmatched level of support, empathy, and confidence. This intentional focus on empowerment gives children the courage and capabilities they need to shine.