Frankie Lemmon School

Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center is a NAEYC-accredited inclusive preschool and developmental day center located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1965 by Frank and Georgia Lemmon, whose son Frankie had Down syndrome, the school was established to provide quality inclusive education for children with developmental disabilities and delays. Today, the school serves approximately 95 children ages 2 through second grade in a welcoming environment that includes both children with disabilities and their typically developing peers.

The school offers comprehensive developmental services including specialized preschool education, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and vision and hearing services. Each child receives a customized service plan, and classrooms are staffed with lead teachers—most holding master's degrees in special education—supported by teaching assistants. The curriculum is enhanced with music therapy, movement classes, nutritious meals and snacks, and an optional summer enrichment program.

Frankie Lemmon School operates on a tuition-free model, sustained through community fundraising, donor support, and partnerships with local stakeholders. In 2016, the organization relocated from its original home in church basements to a dedicated school building in east Raleigh, enabling expanded programming and services. The school's inclusive model demonstrates that children with and without disabilities benefit from learning together in a supportive, specially-equipped environment.

The organization is led by Executive Director Marsha Hargette and a team committed to advancing inclusive early childhood education and therapeutic services for vulnerable populations in central North Carolina.