Answers for your family's next chapter.

Spark Academy serves children ages 3 through kindergarten. Your child must be the required age by their first day of school for the program they're entering: age 3 for the 3's Preschool, age 4 for the 4's Preschool, age 5 by November 30th for Kindergarten Prep, and age 5 by September 30th for Kindergarten. Fresh 3's Fridays uses rolling birthday enrollment — your child can start on the Friday after they turn three, even mid-year.

Yes. All students at Spark Academy — across every program — must be fully potty trained before their first day. If your child is still working on potty training, we recommend waiting until they've achieved independence before enrolling. If your child has a medical diagnosis that impacts toileting, please reach out and discuss options with Dr. Peterson.

Enrollment starts with a tour. Every family visits Spark before their child attends — it's how we meet you, answer your questions, and make sure the fit is right for your family. After your tour, you'll complete enrollment paperwork and submit a $100 non-refundable deposit to hold your child's spot. From there, we'll prepare you for your child's first day.

Yes, subject to availability. Fresh 3's Fridays is designed specifically for rolling mid-year enrollment — your child can begin on their third birthday. For the 3's, 4's, Kindergarten Prep, and Kindergarten programs, mid-year enrollment is welcome when space is available. Contact us and we'll walk you through the timing.

Enrollment is ongoing. Preschool spots open in February for the following fall. Summer Camp enrollment starts on March 1st. Discovery Station and After-School Enrichment enrollment opens April 1st for Fall and November 1st for Spring.

Your child's spot is secured once their student file is complete. To finish enrollment, families need to provide three things: Brightwheel registration, a certified birth certificate, and a completed State of Illinois physical form. School-age children will need a kindergarten physical. Religious exemptions for immunizations are accepted.

Preschool runs the first day after Labor Day through the second full week of May. We follow the Morton 709 school calendar for major holiday breaks.

Tuition varies by program and schedule:

Tuition is billed over 10 months. A 10% discount is available for families who pay the full year's tuition by August 15. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your child's enrollment spot.

Preschool care below kindergarten may qualify for the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit or employer dependent care benefits when your household meets the rules. Kindergarten tuition does not qualify for this care credit. Eligible expenses are not the same as the credit amount. Ask your tax professional about your circumstances and filing year; contact Spark for provider information and payment records.

Read the guide to preschool tax benefits →

We ask you to provide a backpack and a water bottle clearly marked with your child's name. Everything else is included in Spark Academy's tuition — it covers curriculum materials, all school supplies, art materials, daily snacks, and every enrichment subject. There are no supply lists, no hidden fees, and no additional costs during the school year. Everything your child needs is provided from the first day to the last.

Yes! Families with more than one child enrolled receive a 10% sibling discount for the second child and beyond.

Spark Academy does not currently offer financial aid or scholarships. Core program tuition is billed over 10 months. Discovery Station has separate semester billing and offers payment plans on request. See Discovery Station tuition details or contact us about the program you are considering.

Refunds: A 50% refund is available if your request is received at least three business days before the program begins. Once the program starts, no credits or refunds will be given. Full refunds are only available in the case of a program cancellation, medical emergency, or family relocation. Please allow up to two weeks for refund processing.

Withdrawal: If you need to withdraw your child, we require a two-week written notice before their withdrawal date. Verbal notification is not considered an official withdrawal. All normal fees and tuition apply through the end of that final period. If written notice is not provided, Spark Academy will charge your account an amount not to exceed one-half month's normal fees and tuition.

All payments are processed through Brightwheel invoicing. We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and ACH transfers. Please note that credit card payments include a 2.9% processing fee.

Every program follows a structured daily schedule designed by Dr. Michelle Peterson, Ed.D.:

The 3's and 4's programs run from 8:30 to 11:30 AM. Kindergarten Prep and Kindergarten run from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with an expanded 2.5-hour Academic Play block.

Purposeful play brings learning into hands-on experiences. Spark’s framework builds on Experience Early Learning and Dr. Peterson’s early childhood research. Teachers support language, early mathematics, relationships and independence through play, observation and responsive guidance. Each child develops at their own pace.

Explore the Purposeful Play Framework →

The Developmental Playroom is a dedicated play space exclusive to Spark Academy. It transforms completely every month around a new theme — from rainforest explorations to ice castles to space adventures. The playroom is student-driven: children choose their own activities, direct their own play, and build independence in an environment designed to spark curiosity and creative problem-solving. No other preschool in the area offers anything like it.

Daily enrichment rotates through Spanish on Monday, STEM on Tuesday, Art on Wednesday, Communication on Thursday, and Music & Movement on Friday. Children join the subjects offered on their attendance days. Enrichment is included in core program tuition.

Dr. Peterson's individualized assessment system tracks each child's development across multiple domains throughout the year — not just at year-end. Teachers use these assessments to calibrate your child's learning path to where they actually are, not where a curriculum guide says they should be. You'll have ongoing communication with your child's teachers and a clear picture of their growth at every stage.

No. At Spark Academy, we believe children have plenty of screen time at home, so our classrooms are screen-free. The only exception is our front room TV, which we occasionally use for guided movement activities like yoga and brain breaks, or to bring the world into our classroom through virtual experiences — like a flyover of the Great Wall of China — that we can't recreate in person.

We get outside as much as possible! On days when the weather doesn't cooperate, we move our physical activities indoors — think yoga, movement games, and kid-friendly exercises in our front room. No matter what, your child stays active and moving throughout the day.

Every classroom at Spark has a maximum of 10 to 12 students and maintains a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio — the lowest of any preschool program in the area. Your child isn't a face in a crowd. They're known by name, by temperament, and by their unique developmental needs.

Separation challenges are completely normal, especially for children starting their first school experience. Spark's teachers are trained to support the adjustment process, and our homelike environment — children walk in and kick off their shoes — is specifically designed to ease the transition. We communicate with you closely during the first few weeks and will always let you know how your child's day went. And for families who want the gentlest possible start, Fresh 3's Fridays is a one-day-per-week program designed as a bridge into the full Spark experience.

We believe behavior is communication. When a child is struggling, our first question is always: what is this child trying to tell us? What skill might be missing? What support do they need right now?

Spark's approach is connection before correction. Children are never shamed, labeled, or publicly disciplined. There are no color charts, no clip systems, and no time-out chairs. Instead, teachers coach children through social and emotional challenges — reteaching skills like sharing, turn-taking, and emotional regulation with the same patience they'd use to reteach a letter sound. This philosophy is grounded in Dr. Peterson's decade of PBIS leadership and her doctoral research on inclusive classroom strategies.

Spark uses Brightwheel, a daily communication platform that gives you real-time photos and updates from your child's day. Teachers post throughout the day so you can see exactly what your child experienced — which means you can ask specific questions at dinner instead of getting "I had crackers" as the full report.

Yes. Spark openly welcomes and collaborates with outside providers. If your child works with a speech therapist, occupational therapist, or behavioral specialist, they're welcome to come into the building during school hours with your coordination. This is a commitment to the whole child — and to the families who are already building a support team around them.

Every food allergy and dietary restriction is handled on a personalized, case-by-case basis. Our team reviews your child's specific needs and works directly with parents and staff to make sure those needs are met safely and consistently.

Snack is provided daily at Spark Academy. Each day, your child will be offered two food groups during snack time. We never force children to eat, but snack is always available.

If your child shows signs of illness — a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, diarrhea or vomiting, an undiagnosed rash, or abnormal discharge from the eyes, ears, or nose — we’ll contact you right away, and we ask that you arrange pickup within one hour. Children need to be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning, and after a communicable illness we’ll need a written note from your child’s physician. You can read the full details on our Health & Illness Policy page.

Yes. Spark Academy is fully licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Licensing means the facility, staff qualifications, safety protocols, and child-to-staff ratios meet or exceed state standards.

Spark Academy is a boutique, play-based preschool with a structured half-day learning program. Children experience academic play, the Developmental Playroom, daily enrichment, outdoor play and snack. Other care settings can also support learning; ask each program about its approach, staffing and schedule. Compare the practical questions to ask →

Dr. Michelle Peterson holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from Illinois State University, a Master of Science from Bradley University, and a Bachelor of Science from The University of Texas at Austin. She holds four Illinois certifications — including the Superintendent Certificate and Chief School Business Officer (CSBO) — and has 20 years of professional experience spanning classroom teaching, school administration, doctoral research, and founding Spark Academy. She is the only doctoral-level early childhood education researcher operating a preschool in Central Illinois.

Yes. Every teacher at Spark Academy holds a degree and credential in education. Spark doesn't hire people who simply like children — educators are professionally trained and mentored by Dr. Peterson in evidence-based practices. They understand child development at a professional level, and it shows in every interaction with your child.

Absolutely — and you don't need an appointment. Spark Academy has a true open-door policy. Parents are welcome to walk into the classroom, observe, talk to teachers, and be part of their child's school day at any time. Our staff knows every family by name. You'll never be asked to wait in a lobby or pick up your child at the curb. We keep our classrooms open because we want you to see what your child experiences every day.

Yes. Spark Academy ensures that at least one CPR and First Aid certified staff member is on-site at all times. Your child’s safety is never left to chance.

Yes. Every Spark Academy employee undergoes a full background check through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Yes. Spark Academy’s building remains fully secured during all operating hours. Exterior doors are locked at all times, and every visitor is greeted in the entryway before being allowed inside. No one enters the building without staff knowledge. A doorbell is available to ensure prompt access when our team is in other areas of the facility.

Spark offers eight programs across three groups:

Core Programs (Ages 3–5): Fresh 3's Fridays (one-day-per-week introduction for 3-year-olds), 3's Preschool, 4's Preschool, Kindergarten Prep, and Kindergarten.

Enrichment Programs (Ages 5–13): Discovery Station (daytime homeschool enrichment on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and After-School Enrichment Programs (open to all kids, Tuesdays at 4:00 PM).

Summer: Camp Play (ages 3–13, June through July).

Fresh 3’s Fridays is a standalone preschool program for children age three and older, with rolling birthday enrollment and no annual birthday deadline. Children follow the same daily rhythm as 3’s Preschool: Academic Play, Developmental Playroom, Daily Enrichment, outdoor play and snack. Fridays, 8:30–11:30 AM; $100 per month; maximum 12 students. Children must be potty trained. Learn more about Fresh 3’s Fridays →

Spark’s Kindergarten Prep accepts children who turn five by November 30. Spark Kindergarten uses a September 30 cutoff. Illinois public kindergarten generally requires age five by September 1, with early-entry exceptions determined through the applicable process. Confirm eligibility with the school your child will attend. Explore Kindergarten Prep →

Not at this time. Spark Academy operates on a half-day schedule designed to deliver focused, high-quality instruction during children’s peak learning hours.

Not at this time. Spark Academy’s programs follow a structured half-day schedule, and we do not currently offer before- or after-school care.