When Alex Ernst talks about education, it’s clear this isn’t just a business venture — it’s personal.
Long before he earned degrees from MIT, worked in global consulting, or spent 15 years at The Coca-Cola Company, Alex was a child growing up in Mexico whose parents instilled a simple but powerful belief: education opens doors. That belief shaped every chapter of his life — and ultimately led him to Smyrna, where he and his wife, Cathie, are building something special for local families.
“I’ve seen firsthand how education can change the course of a life,” Alex says. “It certainly did for me.”
After graduating from MIT with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering, Alex went on to earn an MBA in France, build a career in management consulting, and lead teams at one of the world’s most recognizable companies. But in 2023, he felt ready for something different — something closer to home and rooted in purpose.
That purpose came into focus when Alex and Cathie — who has spent more than 20 years working in early childhood education — discovered the opportunity to open a Celebree School. The idea of combining entrepreneurship with education, service, and community felt like the right next chapter.
And for Smyrna–Vinings, it proved to be a natural fit.
Putting Down Roots in Smyrna–Vinings
When Alex and Cathie explored locations, Smyrna–Vinings immediately stood out. The area’s vibrancy, diversity, and abundance of young families made it an ideal place to plant roots and invest locally.
“This is such a dynamic community,” Alex says. “There are so many families raising children here, and a real desire for high-quality education.”
From the beginning, the goal was clear: create a school that feels both exceptional and personal — a place families trust and children love.
“When parents walk through our doors, we want them to feel warmth first,” Alex says. “Care, attention, and confidence that their child is in a place built with intention.”
A Thoughtful, Child-Centered Approach
Celebree’s approach to early learning is designed to meet children where they are while supporting development across every domain. The curriculum is holistic, interest-based, and age-appropriate, serving children from infancy through Pre-K.
Rather than focusing solely on academics, Celebree emphasizes physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth — recognizing that early childhood is when lifelong foundations are formed.
“We honor curiosity,” Alex explains. “When children are engaged in what genuinely interests them, learning happens naturally.”
Classrooms are intentionally designed for each age group, encouraging exploration, creativity, and confidence. Enrichment is woven into everyday learning, including weekly Soccer Shots sessions, Spanish language exposure, and hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and joy.
Celebree also uses Conscious Discipline, an approach that helps children learn self-regulation, problem-solving, and emotional awareness.
“These early years are foundational,” Alex says. “This is when children are learning how to interact with the world and with one another.”
Investing in People, Building Community
If there’s one lesson Alex carried from his professional career into this chapter, it’s that people matter most.
“Any organization is only as strong as its team,” he says.
At Celebree, that belief shows up in the way teachers and leaders are hired, trained, and supported. Alex works closely with School Director Anne and Assistant Director Rebecca, whose deep experience in early childhood education helps bring Celebree’s vision to life each day.
“Our goal is simple,” Alex says. “Provide the best possible education for children and a great experience for families, while creating opportunities for our team to grow.”
That care extends beyond the classroom. Celebree emphasizes partnership with parents through personalized onboarding, daily communication, flexible schedules, and regular opportunities for families to connect.
“We’re not just educating children,” Alex says. “We’re building relationships with families.”
Why Families Are Choosing Celebree
For many Smyrna–Vinings families, choosing a preschool can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time parents. Alex says transparency, communication, and consistency help ease those nerves quickly.
Feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive — from praise for the school’s leadership and teachers to stories of children who are genuinely excited to come to school each day.
One moment, in particular, stands out.
“A family wrote us a Christmas card describing how happy their child is and how much they’re learning,” Alex recalls. “Reading it gave me goosebumps. It reminded me why we’re doing this.”
Looking Ahead — Together
As Celebree continues to grow in Smyrna–Vinings, Alex and Cathie remain focused on listening, improving, and investing locally. Plans are already underway to expand Spanish instruction, STEM learning, and music offerings in the coming year.
“We want to keep raising the bar,” he says. “And we want to do it alongside the families who trust us with their children.”
For parents beginning their early learning journey, Alex offers a simple invitation: come visit, meet the team, and see the school in action.
At Celebree School, loving local means more than opening doors — it means building trust, nurturing children, and growing together as a community.
“When curiosity leads, learning follows, setting the foundation for confidence, connection, and lifelong learning.”
“Opening a school wasn’t about growth for growth’s sake — it was about showing up locally and building something families could truly trust.”