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January 2027 enrollment · Morton, Illinois

A new year. A beginning that fits your child.

The child you see in January may be ready for something they weren’t ready for in August. Perhaps they’ve celebrated their third birthday, become more comfortable spending time away from you, or started seeking out other children to play with. Perhaps your family needed the fall to settle into a new routine.

There isn’t one perfect month to begin preschool — there is a time that feels right for your child and your family.

Welcoming 6 new students this January

We’re already looking forward to welcoming 6 new students in January. We’d love to meet your family and talk about whether this could be your child’s beginning, too.

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.

6 new friends already joining Your child won’t be the only new student starting in January. Tap any schedule below to 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 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. Children may begin after their third birthday during the school year.

Choose Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu — or combine both for four mornings.

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.

Explore 4’s Preschool
Age 5 by Nov 30 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Kindergarten Prep

Two four-hour mornings each week offer time to practice classroom routines, grow friendships and explore reading, math and problem-solving before kindergarten.

For your child: Age five by November 30; fully potty trained. We’ll confirm eligibility for a January start.

Explore Kindergarten Prep
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.

Explore Kindergarten
Request a tour

We’ll confirm current availability, eligibility and your child’s first day with you. 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

Looking for another schedule, a three-morning combination for your three-year-old, or a different start date? Ask us about the options. A schedule not listed here may still be available.

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 →

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?

We’ll confirm a January start date with you based on the program, schedule and available place. You can request a tour now to talk through the options before your child begins.

What if my child turns three after January?

Children can join 3’s Preschool or Fresh 3’s Fridays once they are three and fully potty trained, when a place is available. 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?

Three-year-olds may combine preschool classes and Fresh 3’s Fridays when places are available in each session. Ask us about the mornings you need, and we’ll confirm the combination and tuition with you.

What will we pay for a January start?

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. For a midmonth start, tuition is prorated for the scheduled days from your child’s first day. We’ll explain your starting payment and the 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