Lightbridge Academy Continues Growth in Michigan by Breaking Ground in Ann Arbor

The new Lightbridge Academy location will provide Ann Arbor-area families with a nurturing, safe, and joyful early childhood education and care option for children ages as young as six weeks through pre-kindergarten and provide employment opportunities for local Michigan educators. Education programs are designed to support working families and their children during the most important developmental years.

“As a parent myself, I have spent a lot of time thinking about what families are really looking for when it comes to child care,” said Ashrith Kothapalli, franchise owner of Lightbridge Academy of Ann Arbor. “At the end of the day, parents want to know that their child is safe, cared for, and learning in an environment where they can grow. This new Ann Arbor location represents our passion for creating an environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn, while families feel confident knowing their children are in caring, capable hands.”

“At Lightbridge Academy, we strive to create a warm, nurturing environment that truly bridges the gap between home and school,” said Craig Murray, Chief Development Officer at Lightbridge Academy. “Through innovative curriculum and advanced technology, including our ParentView® Internet Monitoring system and the Lightbridge Journey App, families stay connected to their child’s day while educators focus on fostering each child’s academic, social, and emotional growth.”

Lightbridge Academy offers franchise owners comprehensive training and ongoing support, covering every aspect of the business—from cultivating company culture to managing daily operations and delivering curriculum excellence. Franchisees also benefit from dedicated business coaching, continuous operational guidance, and strategic marketing and advertising support.

As the second location in the state, Lightbridge Academy in Ann Arbor will further strengthen the brand’s growing footprint in Michigan. During site selection, the brand utilizes proprietary technology platforms and advanced analytics to identify communities with strong demand for high-quality early childhood education, ensuring each new center is well-positioned to serve local families.

Established in 1997, the company was founded as a family business based on core values and a Circle of Care philosophy that places equal importance on the needs of children, their families, teachers, center owners and the community. Lightbridge Academy, Innovators in Educational Child Care®, provides quality early education and child care programs to children aged six weeks through Kindergarten. The company currently has over 200 child care centers either open or in development throughout Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The Lightbridge Promise also leads the industry as the Gold Standard for health & safety in the child care industry. In 2026, Lightbridge Academy was awarded the Franchise Business Reviews Franchisee Satisfaction Award and ranked #129 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list. In 2025, the brand ranked in Entrepreneur’s list of Top Brands for Multi-Unit Owner, was featured on Franchise Times Fast & Serious list, and ranked #248 in Franchise Times Top 400 list.

From work-life balance to the award-winning support, this innovative early childhood education franchise is guided by purpose and a family-first culture. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, Lightbridge Academy is a proven child care brand.