Our Story
Since 1989, LeafSpring Schools has provided the highest quality early education childcare and after school recreation available. No other program offers our level of excellence as well as a licensed nurse staffing a separate Get Well Place (clinic for mildly ill children). Our proprietary leadership program works hand-in-hand with our play-based curriculum allowing children to learn early, live well and lead.
Our History
1989
Gail W. Johnson, RN, MSN founded LeafSpring Schools (Rainbow Station)
While on the faculty of the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing, Gail saw firsthand how families went into crisis mode when their children had acute or chronic health conditions that made it difficult for them to fulfill their job duties.
As a solution, Gail opened LeafSpring Schools (Rainbow Station) and created the Get Well Place™, a clinic staffed by a licensed nurse to care for mildly or chronically ill children while their caregivers worked. This support was extended to the entire community, regardless of whether children were enrolled in the school or not.
1996
The Village, a unique school-age recreation program, was conceived.
The Village was created to resemble a town square where school-aged children could experience the freedom they crave within a controlled educational environment that fosters their growth, curiosity and leadership.
The Village creates an atmosphere in which children are free to choose age-appropriate activities in a safe, fun, and stimulating environment staffed by recreation counselors.
2000
Franchising launched.
In 2000, the franchising option officially launched.
2013
Camp Blue Sky introduced.
Camp Blue Sky offers the perfect summer solution. Kids aged 5-13 get an age-appropriate Summer Camp program where they can have all the fun they dreamt about during the school year while experiencing the world in a structured and active environment.
2016
INSPIRED, a proprietary leadership program, is introduced.
INSPIRED was designed complement and enhance the existing play and values-based curriculum, PLAYWORKS. The INSPIRED curriculum consists of 6 literacies, or areas of study: Social Literacy, Health Literacy, Environmental Literacy, Civic Literacy, Entrepreneurial Literacy, and Financial Literacy.
2017
Rainbow Station becomes LeafSpring Schools.
In order to continually evolve and improve, Rainbow Station rebrands as LeafSpring School as it launches plans to expand.
2022
2022 Two new literacies added to the INSPIRED leadership program
The Resilience and Mindfulness literacies were added to the INSPIRED leadership program, making the total number of literacies eight.
Our Vision
To be the Standard of Excellence in Early Education, School Age Recreation, and Mildly Ill Care.
Our behavior and decision-making processes are guided by the following key values:
- Community
- Diversity
- Innovation
- Integrity
- Ownership
- Leadership
