HAPPY HEARTS KINDERGARTEN is a nondenominational, non-profit educational preschool and kindergarten program designed to enhance child development with a positive self-image. With encouraged parental involvement and small class size, children explore the world around them in a non-rigid environment.

In 1946, this concept was realized when Mrs. Wisdom O’Neal, Mrs. Leslie Wade and Mrs. D.R. Smith organized ten board members and started the first kindergarten for four and five year olds. The board members represented the five Protestant churches expressing an interest in the idea. The plans called for the kindergarten to rotate among the participating churches from year to year. Later, space was obtained from the First Presbyterian Church and Happy Hearts has remained there ever since. The kindergarten met in the basement of the present church (where church offices are now) until the present education building was completed in 1958. For the first twelve years, Happy Hearts was the only kindergarten in Ocala.

We are proud of our rich tradition and the excellent reputation that follows over fifty years of involvement in the community. We celebrated our 50 Year Reunion in the spring of 1997. It is with much joy and anticipation that we continue on into our next fifty years!

As a non-profit entity, Happy Hearts credits all donations from businesses and families for tax purposes. Your generosity goes entirely toward the betterment of our school.