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Where Homeschool Kids Explore, Discover, and Make Friends They'll Keep

Discovery Station is a drop-off enrichment program for homeschool children ages 5–11. Credentialed teachers. No co-op hours. No mandatory volunteer shifts. Just your child — learning, creating, and building friendships in a space designed for exactly this.

Ages 5–11 Tuesdays & Thursdays Credentialed Teachers Led by Dr. Michelle Peterson, Ed.D.
School-age children collaborating on a hands-on enrichment project at Discovery Station in Morton, Illinois

Enrichment They Can't Get at the Kitchen Table

Discovery Station is Spark Academy's semester-based enrichment program built specifically for homeschool families. It's not core curriculum — and it's not meant to be. It's the part of your child's education that thrives in the company of other kids: creative exploration, hands-on projects, collaborative learning, and the kind of friendships that only form when children show up to the same place, week after week, with the same group of peers.

Classes run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with three 50-minute sessions per day. Age groups are separated across time slots so your child is always learning alongside peers at a similar stage. You can sign up for one class or all six — some families do all three back-to-back on a single day.

And here's the part homeschool parents always ask first:

You drop your child off. You do not stay.

This is not a co-op. There are no mandatory volunteer hours. No assigned class duties. Drop your child off, and the time is yours — run errands, grab a coffee, or simply enjoy a quiet moment. Your child is in the care of qualified, credentialed teachers the entire time.

Three Classes Per Day. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Your Choice.

Time Slot Days Available Duration
1:00–1:50 PM Tuesday or Thursday 50 minutes
2:00–2:50 PM Tuesday or Thursday 50 minutes
3:00–3:50 PM Tuesday or Thursday 50 minutes
1:00–1:50 PM
Tuesday or Thursday · 50 min
2:00–2:50 PM
Tuesday or Thursday · 50 min
3:00–3:50 PM
Tuesday or Thursday · 50 min

That's six total class slots per week across two days. Age groups are separated across time slots: Ages 5 & 6 / Ages 7 & 8 / Ages 9–11. Your child is always in a group matched to their developmental stage.

Enrollment is flexible: Sign up for one class, three classes on one day, or all six sessions across both days. Many families do all three back-to-back on Tuesday — their child gets a full afternoon of enrichment, and Tuesday becomes the highlight of the week.

Spring 2026 Class Offerings

⚠ This section is updated each semester. Change the H2, class cards, and instructor names when new offerings are confirmed.
Tuesdays
Global Passport
Travel the world without leaving Morton. Each week, your child explores a different country's culture, traditions, food, and geography through hands-on activities and collaborative projects.
Theater Performance
Storytelling, character development, stage presence, and the confidence to perform. This semester's students are building toward a live production.
Cooking
Real recipes. Real skills. Children measure, mix, follow instructions, and eat what they make — building math, reading, and fine motor skills along the way.
Thursdays
Playroom
Open-ended, student-driven exploration in Spark's signature Developmental Playroom — a monthly-rotating environment designed to spark creativity and problem-solving.
Myth Busters
Can you really cook an egg on the sidewalk? Science-meets-curiosity experiments that teach the scientific method through the questions kids are already asking.
Storybook Creations
Children write, illustrate, and bind their own books — developing literacy, fine motor skills, and creative storytelling in a way that worksheets never could.
Game Club
Strategy, teamwork, turn-taking, and losing gracefully. Board games and collaborative challenges that build executive function and social skills.
Famous Plays in History
History comes alive through dramatic reenactment. Children learn about pivotal moments by performing them — building comprehension, empathy, and public speaking skills.

Current Instructors: Ms. Kyleigh · Ms. Cristi · Ms. Michelle · Ms. Angel · Ms. Amy · Gigi — all qualified, credentialed teachers.

They Won't Just Learn Here. They'll Belong Here.

Discovery Station isn't just classes. It's a community.

Every semester ends with a party — and for a homeschool child, that's not a small thing. When your child is educated at home, the opportunities to celebrate with peers, to have a group of friends who know them, to experience the kind of shared joy that comes from finishing something together — those opportunities don't happen automatically.

At Discovery Station, they do. Your child will walk into the same room every Tuesday, or every Thursday, and see the same faces. They'll build inside jokes. They'll collaborate on projects. They'll celebrate themed spirit weeks — Valentine's Day, Halloween, and everything in between. And at the end of every semester, they'll gather with their friends to mark what they accomplished together.

That social fabric — the making of friends, the keeping of friends, the celebrating with friends — is woven into every part of this program. Not as an afterthought. As a priority.

Discovery Station children celebrating together at an end-of-semester party at Spark Academy in Morton, Illinois

From Discovery Station Families

Parent testimonials for Discovery Station are coming soon. In the meantime, we'd love to tell you more about the program — send us a question and we'll be in touch.

Transparent Pricing. Flexible Options. No Surprises.

Enrollment Option Price
Individual Class (one class per semester) $195
Three Classes (15% discount) $500
All Six Classes $900
Sibling Discount 10% off each additional child
Individual Class
One class per semester
$195
Three Classes
15% discount
$500
All Six Classes
Best value
$900
Sibling Discount
Each additional child
10% off

Payment: Billed via Brightwheel. Payment due January 15th and August 15th per semester. Payment plans available on request.

No homework. All learning takes place inside the classroom. When your child leaves Discovery Station, the rest of the afternoon is yours.
All-inclusive. No supply lists, no material fees, no hidden costs. Tuition covers everything.

How to Register

Fill out the registration form and our team will walk you through class options, availability, and scheduling.

Credentialed Teachers · Drop-Off Program · Led by Dr. Michelle Peterson, Ed.D.

Ready to Give Your Child a Place to Belong?

Fill out the registration form and tell us about your child, what subjects light them up, and how many classes you're interested in — and we'll help you build the perfect schedule.

Not ready to register? Send us a question, and someone from our team will be in touch.

Looking for after-school activities? Learn about our After-School Enrichment Programs →

Led by Dr. Michelle Peterson, Ed.D. Credentialed Teachers DCFS Licensed · Morton, IL

Questions About Discovery Station

Do I have to stay during class?
No. Discovery Station is a drop-off program — your child is in the care of credentialed teachers the entire time. Parents are welcome to stay if they'd like, but it is never required. There are no mandatory volunteer hours and no co-op obligations.
What ages do you serve?
Discovery Station is designed for children ages 5–11. Age groups are separated across time slots so your child is always with peers at a similar developmental stage.
Can my child attend just one class?
Absolutely. You can enroll in a single class, three classes on one day, or all six sessions across both days. Many families start with one and add more the following semester.
Do classes change each semester?
Yes. Discovery Station classes rotate by semester, so your child can attend year after year and always experience something new. The page you're reading now reflects the current semester's offerings — check back or send us a question before each new term for the updated lineup.
Is this a co-op?
No. Discovery Station is a teacher-led enrichment program, not a co-op. There are no mandatory volunteer hours, no class assignments for parents, and no parent-led instruction requirements. Parents are welcome but never required.
Can my child also attend the After-School Enrichment program?
Yes — and some families do exactly that. Discovery Station meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and our After-School Enrichment program runs on Tuesdays at 4:00 PM. Some homeschool students attend Discovery Station classes and stay for After-School Enrichment on the same day.

Have a Question?

Curious about Discovery Station? Ask us anything about classes, scheduling, or enrollment.