Founders Kenneth & Margaret Rose Murray
Meet the Founders
MarrKens Learning Academy was founded by Margaret Rose Murray and her late husband, Kenneth Bernard Murray—two visionary educators who believed that the earliest years of a child’s life are the most critical. Driven by a deep commitment to academic excellence and cultural relevance, they established the school to provide a strong academic foundation while weaving culturally responsive teaching into every aspect of the preschool experience—ensuring every child saw themselves reflected in their learning environment.
Humble Beginnings, Extraordinary Growth
The school opened its doors in a modest four-room house on Cross Link Road with just
six students. From those humble beginnings, the Murray family’s dedication and the
community’s trust fueled rapid growth. Demand quickly outpaced that first small space,
and the school expanded to a larger facility to serve the growing number of families who
sought an education rooted in both academic rigor and cultural relevancy.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name “MarrKens” is a lasting tribute to the school’s founders—a blend of Margaret
and Kenneth, forever woven into the fabric of the institution they built together. It
honors their legacy as educational innovators who dedicated their lives to nurturing
young minds physically, socially, and cognitively.
MLA Today: Tradition Meets Innovation
Today, MarrKens Learning Academy continues this proud tradition in the historic
Method Community of southwest Raleigh. The school upholds its founding commitment
to family, holistic development, and intellectual achievement—while evolving to meet
the demands of a modern world. With the integration of STEAM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) into its curriculum, MLA remains a beacon of
culturally relevant education, fostering lifelong learning and educational advancement
for the next generation.
Our mission is to nurture the full potential of young children as they grow and develop.
