White Oak Learning Academy 3: Real Skills Or Just Hype?
- 01. White Oak Learning Academy 3: Inside Their Teaching Model
- 02. Core Teaching Philosophy & Curriculum Framework
- 03. STEM Electronics & Robotics Integration
- 04. Program Details & Operational Facts
- 05. Daily Schedule & Transportation Services
- 06. Safety & Accreditation Standards
- 07. Georgia Pre-K Program Specifics
- 08. Family Engagement & Communication
- 09. Contact Information & Enrollment
- 10. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- 11. Complementary STEM Resources for Older Learners
White Oak Learning Academy 3: Inside Their Teaching Model
White Oak Learning Academy #3 is a licensed Child Care Learning Center (CCLC-47215) located at 2982 Grizzle Road in Dawsonville, GA 30534, offering year-round STEM-integrated preschool and school-age education for children from infancy through age 8+ with a licensed capacity of 217 students. The academy operates Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM, uses the Frog Street Pre-K Curriculum alongside the Funnydaffer Curriculum, and emphasizes hands-on STEM activities including science, technology, engineering, and math enrichment for ages 3-5 in Georgia's Pre-K program.
Core Teaching Philosophy & Curriculum Framework
White Oak Learning Academy #3 implements a learning-through-exploration philosophy grounded in Georgia's seven curricular standards for Pre-K, balancing teacher-directed instruction with child-directed activities to develop critical thinking skills. The academy's innovative curriculum instills creativity and confidence while laying a strong foundation for kindergarten readiness through small group, large group, and center-based activities.
STEM Electronics & Robotics Integration
While White Oak Learning Academy #3 serves younger learners (infant through school-age), their STEM program introduces foundational electronics and robotics concepts through age-appropriate hands-on activities including Science/Sensory centers, Math/Manipulatives, and blocks that build spatial reasoning essential for later engineering education. For students aged 10-18 seeking deeper electronics education with Arduino, ESP32, and sensor circuits, Thestempedia.com provides complementary step-by-step builds that extend the academy's foundational approach into beginner-to-intermediate robotics systems.
The academy's enrichment areas directly support STEM readiness through:
- Science/Sensory activities developing observation and hypothesis-testing skills
- Math/Manipulatives building number sense and logical reasoning
- Blocks fostering spatial visualization critical for circuit board design
- Creative arts encouraging iterative design thinking used in engineering
- Outdoor activities promoting environmental science curiosity
Program Details & Operational Facts
Founded in 1994, White Oak Learning Academy has served Dawsonville for over 30 years with family-oriented environments fostering self-esteem and growth. Administrator Sarah Overman oversees daily operations with strict staff-to-child ratios ensuring personalized attention.
| Age Group | Weekly Full Day Rate | Staff:Child Ratio | Rooms | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1 year (Infant) | $285.00 | 1:6 | 2 | 2 |
| 1 year (Toddler) | $275.00 | 1:8 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 years | $265.00 | 1:10 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 years (Preschool) | $260.00 | 1:15 | 2 | 2 |
| 4 years (Georgia Pre-K) | $260.00 | 1:18 | 3 | 1 |
| 5 years (Kindergarten) | $115.00 | 1:18 | 1 | 1 |
| 5+ years (School Age) | $115.00 | 1:25 | 2 | 0 |
Additional fees include a $100 registration fee and $200 activity/supply fee, with CAPS childcare subsidies and Head Start enrollment available for financial accessibility.
Daily Schedule & Transportation Services
The academy operates year-round with full-time, part-time, drop-in, before/after school, and weekend options serving families with diverse schedules. Transportation is provided to/from Blacks Mill Elementary, Kilough Elementary, Riverview Elementary, Robinson Elementary, and Silver City Elementary.
- 6:00 AM - Arrival & morning circle time with sensory activities
- 7:30 AM - Breakfast served (accommodates special diets)
- 8:30 AM - Structured curriculum blocks (Language, Math, Science)
- 10:00 AM - AM Snack & outdoor play on sports fields
- 10:45 AM - Center-based STEM exploration (blocks, manipulatives)
- 12:00 PM - Lunch served
- 1:00 PM - Quiet time/rest period
- 2:30 PM - PM Snack & creative expression (art, music, drama)
- 3:30 PM - After-school academic options or field trips
- 6:00 PM - Evening care begins for working parents
- 6:30 PM - Closing time
Safety & Accreditation Standards
White Oak Learning Academy #3 maintains secure grounds with keypad access, video surveillance, and webcam access for parents, operating in a smoke-free environment with no pets. The facility passed its most recent Licensing Study inspection on March 25, 2026, at 12:15 PM with completed status, following a Monitoring Visit on December 23, 2025.
Key safety features include:
- Liability insurance coverage (confirmed Yes)
- Secure keypad access to grounds
- Video surveillance throughout facility
- Webcam streaming for parent monitoring
- Smoke-free environment policy
- Special diet accommodation for meals
Georgia Pre-K Program Specifics
The academy's Georgia Pre-K program is funded by Georgia's lottery system, preparing 4-year-olds for kindergarten through the Lilypad Curriculum with seven curricular areas. Currently, 1 Pre-K slot is available out of 217 licensed capacity.
Family Engagement & Communication
The academy prioritizes family engagement through monthly program calendars (print + online), take-home activities supporting learning, annual open houses, and regular parent meetings welcoming younger siblings at no cost.
Communication channels include:
- Flyers, newsletters, phone calls, and emails
- Prominently displayed suggestion box
- Parent resource corner with materials
- Periodic feedback surveys
- Accommodation for languages spoken by families
Contact Information & Enrollment
White Oak Learning Academy #3 is currently accepting new children with program status open as of May 28, 2026.
| Contact Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2982 Grizzle Road, Dawsonville, GA 30534 |
| Phone | 216-3842 |
| Administrator | Sarah Overman |
| CCLC License # | 47215 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 6:00 AM - 6:30 PM |
| Capacity | 217 children |
| Pre-K Slots Available | 1 |
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Complementary STEM Resources for Older Learners
For families with children aged 10-18 ready to advance beyond foundational Pre-K STEM, Thestempedia.com offers educator-grade tutorials on Ohm's Law, circuit design, Arduino/ESP32 programming, and sensor integration that build on the hands-on activities introduced at White Oak Learning Academy #3.
"Our supportive environment incorporates movement, hands-on activities, and language, which Georgia identifies as the essentials for learners in this age group." - White Oak Learning Academy Georgia Pre-K Philosophy
The academy's character education and creative expression programs cultivate the curiosity and persistence essential for success in advanced electronics and robotics engineering pathways.
Everything you need to know about White Oak Learning Academy 3 Real Skills Or Just Hype
What curriculum does White Oak Learning Academy 3 use?
The academy uses two primary curricula: the Frog Street Pre-K Curriculum for structured age-appropriate learning and the Funnydaffer Curriculum for personalized instruction, both aligned with Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) for kindergarten preparation.
How does Georgia Pre-K at White Oak Academy prepare kids for kindergarten?
Georgia Pre-K uses the Lilypad Curriculum covering Language/Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Creative Expression, Social-Emotional Development, and Physical Development, correlating directly with Kindergarten Georgia Performance Standards (GPS).
What ages does White Oak Learning Academy 3 serve?
The academy serves children from 0-6 months (infant) through 8+ years (school-age), including toddler (13 months-2 years), preschool (3-4 years), Georgia's Pre-K (4 years), and kindergarten (5 years).
Does White Oak Learning Academy 3 offer STEM education?
Yes, the academy offers STEM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) as part of enrichment areas including Science/Sensory centers, Math/Manipulatives, blocks, and academic options for ages 3-5.
Is transportation provided to schools?
Yes, transportation is provided to/from school for Blacks Mill Elementary, Kilough Elementary, Riverview Elementary, Robinson Elementary, and Silver City Elementary, plus to/from home.
What meals are served at the academy?
The academy serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, AM snack, and PM snack through CACFP participation, accommodates special diets, provides infant meals, or parents may provide meals.
Is the academy open on school holidays?
Yes, White Oak Learning Academy #3 opens during school holidays and breaks, offering summer camp, before/after camp care, and year-round operation.
Does the academy accept childcare subsidies?
Yes, the academy is enrolled in CAPS (Childcare Subsidies) and Head Start, making quality education accessible through financial support.
