Skip to main content

January 2027 Enrollment Guide · Classes Resume Jan 5

How a January start works for your child.

Classes resume after winter break on Tuesday, January 5, 2027. Whether your child just turned three, reached daytime potty-training independence this fall, or is ready for a small, play-based classroom now, five full months of friendships and learning lie ahead through May.

Compare remaining classroom seats, all-inclusive monthly tuition, and age eligibility below — then visit with Dr. Michelle Peterson before classes resume.

Classes resume Tuesday, January 5 · 6 new students already enrolled

Your child won’t be the only new friend walking in after winter break. Request a 30-minute tour now so we can confirm your preferred mornings and plan a calm first week together.

See January openings Request a tour →
5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio Preschool, Kindergarten Prep & Kindergarten
Children gathered around a classroom table exploring colorful counting manipulatives together at Spark Academy.
Purposeful Play. Exceptional Beginnings. Mornings built around your child
After the Holidays

A natural morning routine

January offers a fresh moment to begin a school morning rhythm — with five full months through May to build friendships and independence.

Settled Classrooms

Classmates who show the way

Joining an established classroom feels reassuring: calm routines are in place, and peers are ready to welcome new friends.

Looking Ahead

First choice for Fall 2027

Beginning in January gives your child time to feel at home at Spark — and current students receive first choice for 2027–2028 enrollment.

Find Their Mornings

January openings by program

Start with your child’s age and the mornings that fit your family. Tap a schedule below to request a tour — we’ll confirm eligibility, current availability, and a first day together.

Classes resume Jan 5 · 6 new students enrolled Your child won’t be the only new friend starting Tuesday, January 5. Tap any schedule below or request a tour.
Preferred January mornings (optional)
Age 3 · Rolling start 8:30–11:30 AM

3’s Preschool

First friendships, stories to share and new things to try. Two or four mornings each week give your child a familiar place to play, explore and practice doing things independently.

For your child: Age three by their first day; fully potty trained (daytime underwear independence with occasional verbal reminders or help with tricky buttons). Children may begin after their third birthday during the school year.

Choose Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu — or combine both classes for four mornings (Mon–Thu).

Request a tour Explore 3’s Preschool
Age 4 8:30–11:30 AM

4’s Preschool

A morning for bigger questions, growing friendships and the satisfaction of working something out. Through purposeful play, your child can explore early reading, number sense and ideas of their own.

For your child: Age four by their first day; fully potty trained (daytime underwear independence with occasional verbal reminders or help with tricky buttons).

Request a tour Explore 4’s Preschool
Age 5 by Sept 30 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Kindergarten

Reading, writing, math and purposeful play in a small morning classroom. Come meet the team and talk about your child’s learning, eligibility and a possible January beginning.

For your child: Age five by September 30; fully potty trained. We’ll discuss January entry with your family personally.

Request a tour Explore Kindergarten
Request a tour

Classes resume Tuesday, January 5, 2027 — or children can join now, with monthly payments prorated just for the classes they attend. Tuition is all-inclusive (supplies, enrichment & daily snack included), and Spark accepts Illinois CCAP financial assistance. Requesting a tour starts a conversation and does not reserve a place.

A few practical details as you compare mornings

All-inclusive monthly tuition

Tuition includes teachers, curriculum, enrichment on your child’s attendance days, school supplies, art materials and daily snacks. One $100 non-refundable deposit per child is additional to tuition and is not credited toward it.

Combining mornings & schedules

In 3’s Preschool, families can choose Mon/Wed ($350/month), Tue/Thu ($350/month), or combine both classes for four mornings (Mon–Thu, $550/month). Looking for another schedule or a later birthday start? Ask us about your options.

Morning school & tuition assistance

These are intentional morning school programs, without full-day or extended daycare. Spark accepts Illinois CCAP financial assistance for all core programs.

Help me find the right mornings → Learn about CCAP financial assistance →
More ways to grow Drop-off homeschool enrichment, after-school studio classes, and summer play through age 13.
Ages 5–13 · Homeschool Discovery Station → School-Age · Tuesdays After-School Enrichment → Ages 3–13 · Summer Camp Play →

January Through May

There is still so much school year ahead.

Every Spark morning includes
  • 01 Academic Play
  • 02 Monthly Developmental Playroom
  • 03 Daily Enrichment (STEM, Spanish, Art, Music)
  • 04 Outdoor Play & Shared Snack

January offers a natural moment to introduce a new morning routine after the holidays. At Spark Academy, that can mean mornings spent building, exploring, making friends, and discovering the satisfaction of doing something independently.

From January through May, your child has months to practice joining a group, asking for help, sharing an idea, and building friendships. Through The Purposeful Play Framework, those everyday experiences also create opportunities to explore early reading, math, creativity, and problem-solving.

Your child might spend a morning building with a classmate, trying a new art material, or finding the words to ask for a turn. Small, everyday experiences give them opportunities to grow in confidence and independence.

The Purposeful Play Framework is shaped by the doctoral research of Spark’s founder, Dr. Michelle Peterson. Our teachers use it to plan learning around the children in their classrooms.

See how purposeful play supports learning →

A Supported Beginning

A familiar rhythm to join.

Dr. Michelle Peterson smiling on the classroom rug while playing with Spark Academy students.

Joining an established classroom can offer something reassuring: familiar routines to learn and classmates who can help show the way. Your child brings their own interests, personality, and ideas to a community that still has room to grow.

And because we’re already welcoming 6 new students in January, your child won’t be the only new friend beginning this winter.

Before their first day, come explore the classroom together. Meet the teachers and talk about what helps your child feel comfortable. You may stay to help your child transition, and teachers share how their day went at pickup.

We’ll talk through those first mornings with you, so you know what to expect and your child has people to turn to as they settle in.

Planning Ahead

Looking ahead to next fall.

For families considering Spark next fall, beginning in January also gives your child time to become familiar with the school — and gives you time to build relationships with their teachers.

Current Spark students receive first choice for 2027–2028 enrollment, adding a practical benefit as you plan ahead. During your visit, we’ll explain the timing and enrollment steps for your family. Priority does not guarantee a particular program or schedule.

Common Questions

Questions about a January beginning

When would my child’s first day be — can we start before January?

Yes — if you’d like to begin right away, children can join now when a place is open, and your monthly payment is prorated just for the classes they attend. For families starting after the holidays, classes resume on Tuesday, January 5, 2027 (for example, Tuesday, January 5 for Tue/Thu, Mon–Thu, or Mon–Fri schedules, or Wednesday, January 6 for Mon/Wed). Children turning three later in the winter or spring may also begin after their third birthday when a place is available.

What if my child turns three after January — and what does “fully potty trained” mean?

Children can join 3’s Preschool or Fresh 3’s Fridays once they turn three and are fully potty trained, when a place is available. At Spark, “fully potty trained” means daytime underwear independence with occasional verbal reminders or help with tricky buttons. Tell us the start date you have in mind, and we’ll talk through the possibilities.

How do we choose between programs?

Start with your child’s age, the program’s birthday requirements and the mornings that fit your family. If you’re deciding between 4’s Preschool and Kindergarten Prep, or between Prep and Kindergarten, bring your questions to a tour. We’ll help you understand the differences.

Can we combine mornings?

Yes. In 3’s Preschool, families can combine Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday for four mornings a week (Monday–Thursday, 8:30–11:30 AM) at $550/month while places remain in both classes. Our Friday section is currently full for 2026–2027. Ask us about the mornings you need, and we’ll confirm availability with you.

What will we pay if we start now or partway through a month?

The monthly tuition for each listed schedule appears above. There is also one $100 non-refundable deposit per child, additional to tuition and not credited toward it. Whenever a child joins partway through a month, your monthly payment is prorated just for the classes they attend. We’ll explain your exact starting payment and remaining school-year billing before you enroll.

Is tuition assistance available?

Spark accepts Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding for all core programs. Eligibility and coverage depend on your family’s approval and program requirements. We’re happy to talk about how assistance may apply to your child’s enrollment. Learn about CCAP →

Does requesting a tour hold a place?

A tour request starts a conversation. It does not reserve a place or enroll your child. We’ll confirm availability and explain the enrollment steps personally.

Visit Spark Academy

Could this be your child’s beginning?

We’re already looking forward to welcoming 6 new students in January. We’d love to meet your family, explore the classrooms together, and talk about the program and mornings that feel right.

✓ About 30 minutes ✓ Bring your child ✓ No pressure to enroll
Request a tour Have a question first? Ask us →
  1. Tell us you’d like to visit. Share your name and a way to reach you. We’ll contact you on a weekday, usually the same day, to arrange a time.
  2. Come explore together. Meet the team and talk about your child’s program, schedule and first mornings.
  3. Plan their beginning. When you’re ready, we’ll confirm availability and guide you through enrollment.

Prefer to call? 309-291-3292We may be in the classroom — leave a message. We return calls on weekdays, usually the same day.

Planning for Fall 2027 instead? Join the Fall 2027 waitlist →

What would you like to know?

Ask about start dates, schedules, tuition, or your child's first school experience. You don't need to be ready for a tour.

Dr. Michelle Peterson will reply personally by email. She responds on weekdays, usually the same day.

Your information is private. We'll only use it to answer your question. Privacy Policy

Prefer to call? 309-291-3292