BY DAVE DROCHAK

As we begin the 2024–2025 school year, Apex’s smallest graduating class may be its most heartwarming. 

A total of nine children will complete their three-year journey at Peak Beginnings and head to kindergarten in 2025 with skills they most likely would never have received without this program. 

Peak Beginnings is a free, half-day early childhood enrichment program. It was founded in 2021 by Lane Tomey, a former Wake County high school teacher who recognized the educational barriers faced by children from under-resourced families. She hopes to close that achievement gap as much as possible. 

Tomey, 53, says some tangible results surprised her heading into the third year of the program, in which seven of the nine children didn’t speak English when they first started utilizing this unique educational opportunity. 

“I thought our focus would be more on academic readiness, but it turns out that just comes when it comes,” she says. “It’s really about social and emotional readiness, and building relationships and creating a safe and stable environment for the kids. Watching them learn how to be successful in a classroom [in ways that have] nothing to do with their academic ability is what makes us know they’re ready for public school.”

Building early childhood skills such as sharing, showing empathy and understanding multi-step directions—and even engaging in activities as simple as eating breakfasts and lunches together—help build kindergarten readiness.

“It’s just such a special time when they’re learning about eating a healthy meal, learning manners, learning not to get up from the table until their friends are finished,” Tomey says. “Those types of things help them develop positive relationships with each other and [show them that] they are capable and smart, and able to succeed. Ultimately, what we want when they walk into that kindergarten room is for them to be confident.” 

To learn more about the organization or to volunteer or donate, visitpeakbeginnings.org.

Check out stories from around the Western Wake at 5westmag.com.