Biz Buzz: Former elementary teacher opens her own school in Tijeras

Lindsey Moore is geared up to open her new preschool called Moore Learning, in Tijeras in the autumn. The preschool offers classes for kids aged 3-5, and will also offer extended-hours care and tutoring.

Moore has taught students aged three all the way up to 5th grade. “This was always the dream,” she said, “to have my own school.”

There are two teachers, and the class size is 12 kids per class, Moore said. She said there is one classroom in the new space and they will rotate the classes and schedule days to keep the class sizes small and to maintain Covid-safety at school.

Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Extended hours run from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and are being offered free this year to help support potentially struggling East Mountain parents during the pandemic, Moore said.

Tuition varies for the school depending on full-time or part-time classes. For the twice a week schedule: Tuesday and Thursday costs $240 a month, for the three times a week schedule: Monday, Wednesday and Friday costs $360 a month and for full-time classes, five days a week the cost is $600 a month.

Moore Learning also participates in the state's child assistance program, which can have co-pays as low as zero dollars, she said.

For tutoring, the school offers afterschool help for any kids from kindergarten to 5th grade. “The two subjects we have the most demand in are reading and math,” said Moore, adding, “I am a licensed elementary school teacher, so I can help with any subject.” Tutoring is $20 per hour and students are welcome to come as many times a week as they need.

Moore said she taught in the public schools last year and many parents were concerned about masks then, and still are now. “It's the first question of a lot of parents,” she said.

Moore said her school will be following the public safety protocols for Covid19, including having students and faculty wearing masks. She said they will provide break times in a safe and controlled environment so the kids can have a bit of a break from the masks, like during snack time and nap time.

In order for the school to open on time, they still need their final licensing, a fire inspection which is scheduled for the end of this week and for the state Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD) to certify the building.

The facility is in the building that used to be Olguin's Ice Cream, just north of Interstate 40 and Route 66, at 11943 NM-14 Tijeras, NM 87059.

After teaching in public elementary schools for the last 8 years,

Moore said it seemed like the right time to pursue her dream so she went for it. She and her husband have two young children, a first grader and the other 2 years old. The family lives in Chilili. She said because she has young children she is aware that the area “always needs more options” for preschools and daycare. “We [re both life-long residents and we are excited to give family's a new choice!” Moore said of herself and her husband.

To learn more information about the school, or to enroll you student, visit moorelearning.us. They can also be found on social media on both Facebook and Instagram.

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