From your child's very first Friday to the last day of kindergarten -- Spark Academy offers programs designed for every stage of early childhood. All rooted in the same doctoral-led, play-based approach. All in one community.
Not sure which program fits your child? Use the age guide below.
Select the program that matches your child's age and stage -- each link takes you to the full program page with schedule, tuition, and daily schedule details.
The gentlest first step into the Spark community.
A one-day-a-week introduction to everything Spark offers -- the same curriculum, the same teachers, the same Purposeful Play Framework -- in a single morning each week. Designed for families who want to take the first step without a full-week commitment, and for children who can enroll the very day they turn three.
Learn About Fresh 3's Fridays →Where first friendships form and first curiosities take off.
In small groups of no more than 12, three-year-olds experience purposeful play, daily enrichment, and the Developmental Playroom in a homelike environment where every child is known by name.
Explore the 3's Program →The pre-kindergarten year -- with flexibility built in.
Three scheduling options so families can choose the depth of engagement that fits their child and their life. Every option delivers the full Purposeful Play curriculum, enrichment rotation, and individualized learning approach.
Explore the 4's Program →For children ready for more -- including those who missed the cutoff.
Designed for five-year-olds ready for the most intensive academic preparation Spark offers -- including children who turn 5 between September 2nd and November 30th and miss the public school kindergarten cutoff.
Explore Kindergarten Prep →Small class. Big beginning.
The academic depth of a doctoral-led curriculum with the intimacy of a 10-12 student classroom. Monday through Friday, every week -- building the daily school rhythm that sets children up for every grade that follows.
Explore Kindergarten →Regardless of which program your child is in, every day at Spark Academy includes the same core structure:
A child can begin with Fresh 3's Fridays the day they turn three. They can grow into the full 3's program. They can deepen their experience through the 4's and Kindergarten Prep years. And they can complete their early childhood education in Spark's private Kindergarten -- surrounded by teachers they know, in a community that has been part of their family's life for years.
Not every child follows every step. Many families enter at 4 or at Kindergarten Prep. All are warmly welcomed wherever they begin. But for families who find their way to Spark early, the continuity of relationships, expectations, and environment across multiple years is something no single-year program can replicate.
Enrichment, adventure, and community —
for kids of every age, every season.
Drop-off enrichment classes built specifically for homeschool families. Credentialed teachers, no co-op hours, and real friendships built week after week. Choose one class or all six -- your child stays, you don't have to.
Explore Discovery Station →Semester-based activity classes for any school-age child -- public, private, or homeschool. Theater, cooking, games, art, and more. One hour a week, twelve weeks of something new. Not homework help -- the best hour of their week.
See What's Running Now →Eight weeks of science, art, cooking, LEGOs, dramatic play, and outdoor adventures in small groups led by Spark's credentialed team. Mornings only, June through July. Designed for happy, tired kids at pickup.
Plan Your Child's Summer →| Program | Age | Schedule | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh 3's Fridays | Join the moment they turn 3 | Fridays only | $100/mo |
| 3's Preschool | Must be 3 by the first day of school | T/Th or M/W | $350/mo |
| 4's Preschool | Must be 4 by the first day of school | T/Th, M/W/F, or M-F | $350/mo |
| Kindergarten Prep | Must be 5 by Nov 30th | T/Th, M/W/F, or M-F | $400/mo |
| Kindergarten | Must be 5 by Sept 30th | M-F only | $700/mo |
| Enrichment & Seasonal Programs | |||
| Discovery Station | 5-11 | Tues & Thurs, 1:00-3:50 PM | $195/class |
| After-School Enrichment | 5-11+ | Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00 PM | $195/semester |
| Camp Play (Summer) | 3-11 | M-F, 8:30 AM-12:00 PM | $50/day |
Core programs: All-inclusive tuition. No supply lists. No hidden fees. $100 non-refundable deposit holds your spot. 10% discount for full-year tuition paid by August 15. Tuition billed over 10 months.
You've seen our programs, pricing, and schedule options. Here's where to go next — whether you're still learning about Spark or ready to start a conversation.
Learn what makes Spark different from every other preschool in the area — and why it matters for your child.
What sets us apart — and why families choose us
The Purposeful Play Framework →How your child's day is designed, and the research behind it
Meet Dr. Michelle Peterson →The educator, researcher, and mother who built Spark
Not sure which program fits your child? Send us a message and we'll help you figure it out — no pressure, no commitment.
Send Us a MessagePrefer to call? We may be in the classroom — leave a message and we'll call you back the same day.
309-291-3292Already know you'd like to visit? Schedule a tour — we'd love to show you around.
The only preschool in Central Illinois founded and led by a doctoral researcher in early childhood education.
Not sure which program fits your child? Tell us their age and what you're wondering — we'll point you in the right direction.