Goddard School

The Goddard School

Type	Incorporated, Private
Industry	Franchise: Childhood Care and Education
Founded	1988 in King of Prussia, PA, USA
Headquarters	King of Prussia, PA, USA
Key people	Joseph Schumacher, President & CEO; Dzana Homan, COO; Robert Scopinich, CFO
Website	www.GoddardSchool.com www.Facebook.com/GoddardSchool www.Twitter.com/GoddardSchool Blogs.GoddardSystems.com

The Goddard School, Springfield, Ohio.

The Goddard School is a preschool for children six weeks to six years old with over 386 schools across the United States. Goddard Schools are franchised by Goddard Systems, Inc (GSI), located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

All schools have an on-site owner (franchisee) and an educational director. The schools incorporate a learning philosophy rooted in the teachings of child development experts like Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson. The program focuses on children's emotional, social, intellectual and physical development.

History

The Goddard School Timeline

2012

• Goddard Systems, Inc. is awarded by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a Social Media Star.
• Goddard Systems, Inc. earns Middle States Corporate Accreditation.
• Goddard Schools nationwide participate in second annual Goddard Community Games.

2011

• Goddard Systems, Inc. Named Strategic Council Member of The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21).
• The Goddard School is the exclusive preschool sponsor for the second annual Ultimate Block Party: Arts and Sciences of Play.
• Goddard Systems, Inc. introduces a new Franchise Development website.
• Goddard Schools rank #142 on Franchise Times Top 200 franchises.
• Goddard Schools (nationwide) attempt Guinness™ World Record for most participants (multi-location) for Simon Says on Friday, September 23, 2011.
• Goddard Schools launch Goddard Community Games.
• National media coverage on Fox and Friends: Bully Prevention
• Goddard Systems, Inc. awarded two Telly Awards, including a People's Choice.
• Anthony A. Martino scholarship awarded to high school senior, Brooke Del Guercio, graduate of The Goddard School located in Dayton, New Jersey.

2010

• The Goddard School is the exclusive preschool sponsor for the Ultimate Block Party: Arts and Sciences of Play.
• Goddard Systems, Inc. introduces a Franchise Development Twitter account and Blog.
• National Geographic Society selects Goddard Systems, Inc. for development of an intriguing new book for families.
• Anthony A. Martino scholarship goes to high school junior, Arthur Foster, graduate of The Goddard School located at 6239 Perimeter Drive in Dublin, Ohio.
• Joseph Schumacher appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Goddard Systems, Inc.
• Dzana Homan named Chief Operating Officer of Goddard Systems, Inc.

2009

• Goddard Systems, Inc. receives program accreditation from AdvancED (formerly CITA).
• Anthony A. Martino scholarship goes to high school junior, Marjorie Berman, graduate of The Goddard School located in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.
• Goddard Systems, Inc. announces discount to honorably discharged United States veterans.
• Goddard Systems, Inc. introduces a Facebook Page, Blog and a Twitter account.

2008

• First-ever Anthony A. Martino scholarship goes to high school junior, Connor Sullivan, graduate of The Goddard School located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
• Goddard School adds Mandarin Chinese to its list of enrichment programs, including learning opportunities in yoga, Sign Language, science, music, world cultures and more.
• The Goddard School releases its first-annual top holiday toy list, recognizing affordable toys that are "interactive, engaging and appropriate for the developmental stages of young children."
• 300th Goddard School opens in Centennial, Colorado.

2007

• After representing the company as outside counsel for 20 years, Joseph Schumacher joins Goddard Systems, Inc., as Chief Operating Officer.

2005

• 200th Goddard School opens in Vancouver, Washington.

2004

• GSI hosts first convention for education directors in Philadelphia.

2002

• Wind River Holdings LLP (formerly known as AMC) acquires franchise assets of Carousel Systems, Inc. and continues franchising as Goddard Systems, Inc.
• First west coast Goddard School opens in Portland, Oregon.
• Dr. Kyle Pruett becomes an advisor to The Goddard School.

1999

• 100th Goddard School opens in Pickerington, Ohio.
• Goddard Press publishes Me, Myself and I, by Dr. Kyle Pruett, the renowned Yale University psychiatrist and early child development expert.

1998

• Carousel Systems, Inc. founds Goddard Systems University to provide comprehensive and continuing education to franchisees and their faculty.

1996

• Former Goddard Systems, Inc., CEO and President Philip Schumacher becomes president of Carousel Systems, Inc

1994

• Goddard Quality Assurance develops its quality scoring system, one of the most stringent QA programs in the industry.

1993

• Goddard Early Learning Centers are renamed The Goddard School.

1992

• Former Goddard Systems, Inc., CEO and President Philip Schumacher joins Carousel Systems, Inc.’s franchise sales team.

1990

• The first Goddard School franchise opens in Marshallton, Pennsylvania.

1988

• Carousel Systems, Inc. is formed by Anthony A. Martino, founder of the Aamco Transmissions and Maaco Auto Painting and Bodyworks franchises, for the purpose of offering Goddard Early Learning Center childcare and preschool franchises.

1986

• The first Goddard Early Learning Center opens in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
• The first Goddard School television ads air on Nick at Nite, Lifetime, USA and TNT.

Accreditation

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools – The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is the unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the Middle States region, which includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several locations internationally. Goddard Systems, Inc received corporate accreditation in January 2012.

Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21) – P21 is a national organization that advocates for 21st century readiness for every student. Goddard Systems, Inc was name Strategic Council Member in 2011.

National Association for the Education of Young Children – NAEYC’s mission is to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources. Many Goddard Schools have achieved or are pursuing accreditation with NAEYC.

AdvancED (formerly CITA) – AdvancED provides systems of accreditation that promote quality schools, continuous improvement, and student success. Its mission is “Advancing the Quality of Education Worldwide.” Goddard Systems, Inc received AdvancED accreditation in January 2009.

Locations

Goddard Systems, Inc, headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, currently licenses over 386 franchised schools in 34 states such as Maryland and Virginia and hundreds of markets including Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Philadelphia, Waldorf, Leesburg and Portland. GSI has also opened several metro/downtown locations in such cities as Lincoln Park, Illinois, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Wilmington, Delaware.

References

1. http://www.goddardschool.com/About.gspx
2. http://www.naeyc.org (NAEYC)
3. http://www.advanc-ed.org (AdvancED)
4. http://p21.org/about-us/strategic-council-members