Connected by Values. Driven by Culture.
At Lantern Learning Group, culture isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we live every day. We’re a values-led organization where purpose and people come first. From our schools to our support teams, we’re committed to creating an environment where every individual feels aligned, supported, and inspired to do their best work.
Our culture program, led by our Chief Impact Officer Melissa Anderson, is intentionally designed to ensure that the heart of our organization, our values, is woven into every part of our network.
Our Mindset: Culture Drives Results
Our clearly defined culture plan isn’t just about creating a positive work environment, it drives real results. When team members feel aligned, supported, and valued, they’re more engaged, motivated, and empowered to do their best work. This directly translates to stronger relationships, better communication, and higher-quality care for the children and families we serve. By investing in our people and creating a culture where they can thrive, we develop schools where excellence is the norm, not the exception. A healthy culture fuels happy teams and happy teams create extraordinary experiences for families.
A Culture Built on Alignment and Action
At Lantern Learning Group, our culture isn’t left to chance. It’s intentionally built, actively nurtured, and reinforced across every school, team, and region. While our schools may vary in model or brand, the way we show up—for children, for families, and for each other—is grounded in a shared cultural foundation.
Across all Lantern schools and teams, our cultural framework is supported by a number of specific, core components that help guide how we lead, collaborate, communicate, and serve. These core components are more than ideals—they’re operational principles that shape our decisions, influence our interactions, and define what success looks like in our organization. By aligning around these core components, we create clarity, unity, and a sense of belonging that empowers every team member to contribute to something greater than themselves.
These core components—Clear Values Alignment, Defined Culture Behaviors, Supportive Leadership, and Exceptional Benefits—serve as the foundation of our culture program and ensure that our mission and values are consistently lived out across every Lantern Learning Group school.
Clear Values Alignment
All Lantern schools operate with a shared commitment to Quality, Integrity, Service, and Community—regardless of model, brand, or location. These core values are not just words on a wall; they guide every decision we make and every relationship we build. Whether it’s how we support a new family, coach a team member, or plan for long-term growth, our values are embedded into the daily rhythm of our schools. This alignment creates a sense of unity and purpose across our entire network and helps ensure that every child, educator, and family experiences the same high standard of care and excellence.
Defined Culture Behaviors
We believe that a strong culture starts with shared values and is sustained by shared behaviors. We’ve established a clear set of culture behaviors that guide how we work, communicate, and serve—creating consistency across our multi-state network. These behaviors are intentionally taught, reinforced, and celebrated so that every team member, from classroom teachers to regional leaders, understands what it means to live out our culture. By defining these expectations, we eliminate ambiguity, promote collaboration, and create an environment where people know how to succeed and feel empowered to contribute. This intentional approach allows our culture to thrive even as we grow and evolve.
Supportive Leadership
At Lantern Learning Group, we believe that culture and values aren’t just taught—they’re modeled. Our leaders play a critical role in bringing our values to life by leading with empathy, accountability, and clarity. They balance high expectations with genuine respect for the educators and staff doing the work, ensuring that our commitment to Quality, Integrity, Service, and Community is felt at every level. Through regular coaching, feedback, and development opportunities, we empower leaders—from school directors to regional teams—to actively reinforce our culture in how they lead, support, and communicate. This intentional approach to leadership creates alignment, drives consistency, and ensures our values are not only shared—but multiplied across our entire organization.
Exceptional Benefits
At Lantern Learning Group, providing great benefits is one of the many ways we bring our culture to life. From comprehensive health coverage and paid time off to 401K options and professional development, we care for our team with the same intention and commitment we show to the families we serve. Supporting our people isn’t just a perk—it’s a reflection of our core values: Quality, Integrity, Service, and Community. When educators feel secure, valued, and empowered, they’re able to give their best every day. Whether it’s mental health resources, paid training, or celebrating milestones, our benefits demonstrate our belief that people are our greatest asset—and that a thriving team is essential to a thriving culture.
