School Founders

When Svetlana, a teacher with many years of experience, came to New York, she could not imagine herself without a school of her own. Svetlana’s first Day Care opened in 1994 in Brooklyn, followed by Smiles Around Us on Staten Island opened by both Svetlana and Yelena in 1998. The Day Care and Pre-K program were so successful that they grew into an elementary school in 2005 and expanded through a middle school, Southfield Institute, in 2013. Both owners’ vision of a school combines great education with compassionate care and a positive atmosphere. With the help of their exceptional staff, they never stop improving the school and expanding the curriculum. The latest additions were Mandarin ,Technology classes, and Regents Preparation courses.

Yelena’s is a teacher with many years of experiences, first Day Care opened in 1994 in Brooklyn, followed by Smiles Around Us on Staten Island opened by both Svetlana and Yelena in 1998. The Day Care and Pre-K program were so successful that they grew into an elementary school in 2005 and expanded through middle school, Southfield Institute, in 2013. Both owners’ vision of a school combines great education with compassionate care and positive atmosphere. With the help of their exceptional staff, they never stop improving the school and expanding the curriculum. The latest additions were Mandarin and Technology classes, Special High.