High-quality preschool education transforms every child's life – but children from low-income families are the least likely to receive it. AppleTree is dedicated to closing this achievement gap before children enter kindergarten so that they can thrive in kindergarten and beyond. Its instructional model, Every Child Ready, includes a fully developed curriculum, comprehensive training and professional development for teachers, and data-driven tools to monitor progress and tailor instruction to each child’s needs. Teachers, principals, and instructional coaches learn what to teach, how to teach, and how to tell if it’s working (and make improvements when it’s not). Nascent learning difficulties are addressed early through play-based education supplemented by additional mental health and specialized support, allowing every child to excel. At AppleTree's schools, and at partner schools using its models, you can help thousands of three- and four-year-olds get the great start they deserve.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 8

Where They Operate: DC-Ward 1; DC-Ward 3; DC-Ward 5; DC-Ward 6; DC-Ward 7; DC-Ward 8; Southwest Waterfront; Columbia Heights; East Capitol Hill; Douglas Knoll (SE); Parklands (SE); Spring Valley

Age Groups Served: Pre-K (3-4)

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Students

Schools They Work In: AppleTree Early Learning PCS, ; RocketShip Rise, Infinity and Legacy; Achievement Prep; Center City PCS; City Arts & Prep; Early Childhood Academy PCS,; Eagle Academy; E.L. Haynes PCS; Friendship PCS; Harmony PCS


  • Number of children we prepare for success in school annually:   1200
  • Number of Tier 1 (Highest Rated) DC Public Charter Schools:   4

Awards & Recognition

2022 - The Trust for Learning's Ideal Learning Roundtable invited AppleTree to join the early childhood education experts.

2021 DC's Office of the State Superintendent of Education Approved Every Child Ready as a research-based curriculum and added it to their approved curricula aligned with the District of Columbia Early Learning Standards.

2019: AppleTree Institute won a five-year $6 million grant from the US Department of Education and Charter School Program to Replicate High-Quality Charter Preschools in Washington, DC.

2016: AppleTree Institute was recognized as a "high-impact investment opportunity" by the University of Pennsylvania's Center for High Impact Philanthropy.

2010: AppleTree Institute won a five-year, $5 million grant from the US Department of Education's Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund competition and raised $1.5 million in private matching funds to support the project, the further development and evaluation of AppleTree's groundbreaking Every Child Ready preschool instructional model.

2009: The Foundation for the National Capital Region and the City Bridge Foundation selected AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School as an example of a high-quality preschool for 25 foundation leaders from around the country to tour.

May 2009: Featured in a New America Foundation forum report entitled "Putting the 'Quality' into Quality Preschool: Lessons from Data Driven Early Interventions."

October 2008: Invited to participate in a presentation on "High Quality Preschool" before the New Schools Venture Fund Community of Practice in Philadelphia.

September 2008: Awarded a $4.3 million, 4-year federal Early Reading First grant by the US Department of Education and a $935,000 City Build Incentive grant by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education through competitive processes.

2008: Awarded first runner-up in the nationwide "Better Government Competition" by the Pioneer Institute. The Philanthropy Roundtable selected AppleTree Institute as an example of a high-quality preschool for 50 foundation leaders from around the country to tour.

Press

Budget (FY2023)

  • The current budget for AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation is: $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About Spur Local

Each year 150+ community advocates review applicants on the basis of governance, equity, and impact. Each featured nonprofit has been successfully site visited and its financials given the thumbs up. Spur Local charges no fees and raises funds separately to support its work. Since 2003, it has raised over $57 million for nonprofits across the Greater Washington region.

Spur Local looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to Spur Local to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

If you like AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation you might also like