The Lexington Early Learning Academy is a preschool that serves primarily children age 4, along with qualifying children age 3. Early Learning Academy or ELA is a collaborative effort between Lexington Public Schools, the City of Lexington, and other community partners to provide the foundation for children to succeed in school.  The program is located at the Opportunity Center, which is a former retail store that was renovated to provide space for up to 300 children. The Early Learning Academy provides a play-oriented, structured learning environment with academic objectives designed to enhance a child’s social, emotional, intellectual, language, physical, and aesthetic development. Language acquisition and literacy are the primary focus of the early childhood program. The curriculum is based upon the Nebraska Department of Education Early Learning Guidelines. Assessment of student outcomes is accomplished through the use of an approved model from the NDE Results Matter initiative. The program is designed to equip children with the knowledge, skills and behaviors necessary to enter kindergarten ready to learn.