Chappell Schools

Chappell Schools offers daily experiences that include green cleaning, recycling, and engaging children in sustainability practices, along with physical activity on spacious playgrounds, indoor gross motor activities, and exploring the outdoors. Children take part in joyful melodies, emotional expression through sing-alongs, and instrument exploration while building fine and gross motor development, social-emotional learning, balance, cognition, language development, sharing, and building relationships with others. The program includes activities in literacy, mathematics, science, art appreciation, music, sensory wellness, social/emotional development, reading readiness, handwriting development, history, emotional learning, etiquette, self-care, enjoying classical music and fine art, engaging in physical movement and outdoor play, and teaching foundational knowledge of literacy, numeracy, natural sciences, history, and world languages. Centers consist of strategic classrooms divided into multiple centers for age-appropriate groups, with art-inspired classrooms named after famous artists, soft classical music, and cheerful fresh flower arrangements in dining rooms.

• Ages: 0–5 years old
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, with locations offering hours such as 6:30am–6:00pm, 6:45am–6:00pm, 7:30am–5:30pm, and 7:00am–6:00pm

Chappell Schools is a family-owned preschool established in 1958 and has been described as the local favorite in North Florida since 1958. Its multi-sensory developmental approach to early childhood education is described as supporting flourishing young minds and preparing children for a bright future. The stated primary goal is to promote a safe, child-oriented space where exploration, discovery, and creativity encompass daily routines, fostering self-confidence, encouraging self-reliance, and emphasizing self-esteem. As part of the application process, vaccination records and school readiness physicals are required, and each family receives an orientation to the school and their child’s specific classroom and teacher.

Chappell Schools notes an esteemed leadership team and school staff, with named directors including Chantal Riley (Chappell Schools Deerwood), Tiffiney Brown (Chappell FSCJ Downtown Campus), Khristina Pike (Chappell FSCJ Kent Campus), Kaneisha Hall (Chappell FSCJ North Campus), Shianti Oliver (Chappell FSCJ South Campus), and Latroya Barnes-Drake (Chappell Schools San Marco). The program uses eco-friendly practices such as green cleaning and recycling and offers extended hours and flexible scheduling options. Families have access to cameras to see in the classes and playground at any time, and teachers send pictures and updates through an app, including livestream of the classroom as mentioned by parents.

Chappell Schools serves the Greater Jacksonville area with seven strategically placed childcare centers and has hosted a “Celebration of Nations” event in April to engage the school community through an interactive immersive cultural experience. Parent and guardian testimonials describe staff as compassionate, caring, pleasant, friendly, and approachable, and mention specific teachers and directors by name for their interactions with infants, toddlers, and older children. Several parents report that their children love their teachers and staff, have made friends, enjoy daily art activities, and that features such as cameras, livestreaming, and app updates help them feel at ease. Multiple reviewers state that they recommend Chappell Schools, including the San Marco and Riverside locations, and describe the campus environment, playground, and communication with the team in positive terms.

Last updated February 13, 2026.