New Schools in East Cobb and Smyrna will Provide Comprehensive Early Childhood Education Programs for Local Families
Celebree School, a leader in early childhood education that provides infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare, and summer camp programs, is excited to announce the official groundbreaking of its two newest schools in East Cobb and Smyrna. The two ceremonial events, set to take place in Smyrna on June 23 and East Cobb on June 26, mark the beginning of a project designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality educational programs that cater to the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of children. The new schools are projected to open this Fall.
The groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Smyrna and East Cobb locations will be held at 485 Concord Rd. SE and 1099 Johnson Ferry Rd., respectively. Both events will feature remarks from key community leaders and school directors.
Spearheading the Smyrna location will be husband-and-wife team Alexander and Cathie Ernst, while the East Cobb location will be led by Farwa Khan and her husband Aloke Devalia. Community members, local officials, and media are invited to celebrate this exciting milestone. Guests will enjoy light refreshments from local vendors and have the opportunity to connect with theproject team to learn more about the positive impact the schools will have on the communities they serve.
Alexander and Cathie each bring unique strengths to their roles. Alexander spent 20 years in the corporate world, honing his leadership and strategic planning skills at The Coca-Cola Company. Cathie brings over 15 years of classroom experience, having taught art, Spanish, and French to children ages 2 to 15. She has worked extensively with students from underserved communities, using art-based learning to build confidence, spark creativity, and support language development. The Ernsts had long envisioned starting a business that would make a difference in the lives of local families. When they found Celebree School, it aligned perfectly with their values and passion for early childhood education.
“We’ve always dreamed of building something that reflects our values and puts children at the center,” said Alexander Ernst. “Celebree School gave us the chance to combine our professional experience with our passion for education to make a real impact in our community.”
As long-time East Cobb residents and parents of three children, Farwa and Aloke are deeply committed to bringing exceptional educational opportunities to the community they love.
With over 15 years of experience in educational leadership, Farwa previously ran an accredited private preschool in Marietta and is passionate about returning to her roots in early childhood education. A Georgia State alum with a master’s in public administration, Farwa is thrilled to bring her expertise and passion back to the community. Aloke, an MBA graduate from Georgia Tech, brings 20 years of leadership experience at top area companies like Delta Air Lines and Equifax, ensuring that Celebree School is managed with a focus on excellence and operational success.
“Education has always been at the heart of what I do,” said Farwa Khan, an active PTA member and passionate advocate for early childhood development. “As parents ourselves, we understand how important it is to find a place where your child can learn, grow, and thrive. Opening a Celebree School in East Cobb is an opportunity to offer local children the strong foundation they deserve – and to contribute something meaningful to the community that means so much to us.”
Enrollment is now open, and community members are encouraged to contact Celebree School for tours, visits, and more information.
With programs available for children six weeks to 12 years old, Celebree School lives by its promise to Grow People Big and Small™. The brand was founded on the belief that success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and a connection that extends beyond the classroom to address the needs of the whole child and the whole family. Curriculums are designed to develop positive social skills and values while allowing children to learn about the world through age-appropriate play, projects, and activities.
Join Us
For more information on about the groundbreaking and to learn about Celebree School, please visit https://www.celebree.com/.
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About Celebree School
Founded in 1994, Celebree School is a leader in early childhood education that provides infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare, and summer camp programs. With a mission to Grow People Big and Small™, Celebree School believes success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and connection. Each school employs a customized program that addresses the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of children and follows applicable state guidelines. In 2019, Celebree School launched its franchise offering. In 2024, Celebree School’s founder, Richard Huffman, launched a new parent company called Huffman Family Brands, merging Celebree affiliated concepts under one multi-brand company structure. Learn more about how we grow confident children who are prepared for school and life at Celebree.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
