Free Mentor Success Academy research trial, beginning January 2027

● Applications are now being accepted

Mentor Success Academy is offering a free 3-month research trial beginning January 2027, as part of Mary Wardlaw's doctoral research on the impact of mentoring in early childhood programs. Mentors in participating classrooms receive MSA's mentor training, valued at $1,200, at no cost, and use MSA with their mentees for 12 weeks. In return, the data gathered, including surveys before and after the program, is used in the research.

Check the criteria and apply

Who can take part

A licensed early childhood program in the United States.
A privately owned program.
At least 2 classrooms serving children 2½ years and older.
You choose which classrooms take part. Participating classrooms use MSA, and at least one classroom does not, so the research can compare them.
Staff in participating and non-participating classrooms complete the same surveys before and after the program.
The director agrees to provide 30–45 minutes every week for the full 12 weeks for each mentor and mentee to meet.

Mentors complete the training on their own time. Taking part is voluntary. Results are reported in summary form, without naming individual programs or staff. Accepted programs will receive full research details and consent forms before the trial begins.

Apply for the January 2027 research trial

The program director should complete this form. We'll follow up by email.

Program name

Director name

Phone (optional)

State license number

City

State

Total number of classrooms serving children 2½ and older

Anything else we should know? (optional)

Please confirm each of the following:

Our program is licensed and located in the United States. Our program is privately owned. We have at least 2 classrooms serving children 2½ years and older. I understand participating classrooms will use MSA, and at least one classroom will not, for comparison. Staff in participating and non-participating classrooms will complete the surveys before and after the program. As director, I will provide 30–45 minutes each week for the full 12 weeks for each mentor and mentee to meet. I agree that data gathered during the trial, including survey responses, may be used in Mary Wardlaw's doctoral research.

✓

Application received

Thank you! We'll review your application and email you about next steps.

Questions about the trial

Why does a classroom not use MSA in the research trial?

Comparing classrooms that use MSA with at least one that doesn't lets the research measure what difference mentoring actually makes. Participating and non-participating classrooms complete the same surveys.

What happens after the 3-month trial?

When the trial ends, programs can continue with a paid center membership. There's no obligation to continue.

Our program doesn't meet the trial criteria. Can we still use MSA?

Yes. The criteria only apply to the free research trial. Any program can get a center membership. The training is written for mentors supporting teachers of preschool-age children (2½–5).