Kindergarten Prep · Morton, Illinois

Kindergarten prep in Morton, IL

Name: Spark Academy
Address: 1989 N Morton Ave, Morton, IL, 61550, US
Telephone: 309-291-3292
Price range: $100-$700/month

A confident step toward kindergarten.
Time to practice, friendships to grow, and ideas to explore. A purposeful morning that helps your child feel ready for the school years ahead.

Explore their next chapter See mornings & tuition

8:00 AM⁠–⁠12:00 PM 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio Age 5 by November 30 January 2027 · 5 Tue/Th places available

Children exploring play dough with their teachers in a Spark Academy classroom — Small discoveries, with a teacher close by. Kindergarten Prep

For your child: Age 5 by November 30Fully potty trained before starting
Their morning: 8:00 AM⁠–⁠12:00 PMTwo, three, or five mornings
Monthly tuition: $400–$650All-inclusive · Supplies & daily snack

5:1 Student-to-Teacher Ratio

Readiness grows in everyday moments.

A fall birthday, or a little more time before kindergarten? Your child can build the academic, social, and emotional foundations for their next step, in a small class where they are known.

Curious minds. Letters, numbers, and problem-solving through 2.5 hours of teacher-guided Academic Play.
Everyday confidence. Practice taking turns, following directions, sharing feelings, and managing belongings.
Progress you can see. A 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, individual assessment, and ongoing conversations with your family.

See how purposeful play builds learning →

What comes after Kindergarten Prep?

Continue into Spark's private Kindergarten, move on to another public or private kindergarten, or homeschool with enrichment from Discovery Station. We'll talk with you about your child's development as you plan their next step.

Age 5 by November 30 · 5:1 Ratio

Designed for bridge birthdays & young fives: a four-hour morning with 2.5 hours of Academic Play so your child steps into kindergarten confident and ready.

8:00 AM ⁠–⁠ 12:00 PM Rhythm

More time to follow an idea.

A four-hour morning with a longer Academic Play block, while keeping room for imagination, movement, and friendship.

Morning Hours 8:00 AM ⁠–⁠ 12:00 PM

Academic Play & Ratio 2.5 Hours · 5:1 Ratio

Academic Play: 2.5 hours; Deeper literacy, number sense, and critical thinking through purposeful play.
Developmental Playroom: 30 minutes; A changing monthly world for bigger ideas and imaginative teamwork.
Daily Enrichment: 30 minutes; Language, science, art, communication, and movement at a five-year-old depth.
Outdoor Play: 15 minutes; Fresh air and room to move.
Snack & Bathroom Break: 15 minutes; A shared snack and everyday independence.

Which enrichment happens on our days?

Monday: Spanish. Tuesday: STEM. Wednesday: Art. Thursday: Communication. Friday: Music & Movement. Your child enjoys the subjects offered on their attendance days.

2, 3, or 5 Mornings

A rhythm that fits your child.

Two, three, or five mornings. Every option includes the full Purposeful Play program.

Curriculum, enrichment, school supplies, art materials, and daily snacks. No supply lists or mid-year costs.

Choose Your Weekly Rhythm (8:00 AM⁠–⁠12:00 PM)

Tue / Thu 2 Mornings STEM & Comm.

Mon / Wed / Fri 3 Mornings Spanish, Art & Music

Mon – Fri 5 Mornings Full K-Prep Week

All options: 8:00 AM⁠–⁠12:00 PM

Two morningsTuesday / Thursday Jan 2027: 5 places available: $400 / mo
Three morningsMonday / Wednesday / Friday Ask about January availability: $500 / mo
Five morningsMonday–Friday Ask about January availability: $650 / mo

January 2027 Tour: Tap a schedule to pre-fill your visit request

Request a tour · Tue/Th

Billed over 10 months, alongside the public school year.
One $100 non-refundable deposit per child. It is additional to tuition, not credited toward it.
For a midmonth start, tuition is prorated for the scheduled days from your child's first day.

Financial Assistance Available Spark Academy proudly accepts Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding for all core programs. Eligible families may qualify for assistance with preschool costs. Learn More About CCAP

Start with a visit to Spark →

Common Questions

A few questions, answered.

Clear details on the November 30 birthday cutoff, how Kindergarten Prep compares to 4's Preschool, and preparing for kindergarten.

What is the age requirement for Kindergarten Prep?

Your child must be five years old by November 30th and must be fully potty trained. This cutoff is specifically designed to serve two groups of families: children who turn 5 between September 2nd and November 30th — the group that falls between public school cutoffs — and young five-year-olds who are technically eligible for kindergarten but aren't quite ready for a full kindergarten classroom. For those children, Kindergarten Prep provides the additional year of development in a small, structured environment so they enter kindergarten confident and fully prepared.

What if my child turns 5 after November 30th?

Children who turn 5 after November 30th should consider our 4's Preschool program, which is designed for four-year-olds and children not yet eligible for Kindergarten Prep. Contact us and we'll help you figure out the right fit.

How is Kindergarten Prep different from the 4's Preschool?

Kindergarten Prep includes a 2.5-hour Academic Play block (versus 1.5 hours in the 4's program), runs from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM (versus 8:30⁠–⁠11:30 AM), and is specifically designed for children who are developmentally ready for the intensified preparation that kindergarten demands. The curriculum expectations, peer interactions, and academic scaffolding are calibrated for five-year-olds, not four-year-olds.

How will I know if my child is ready for kindergarten after completing this program?

Dr. Peterson uses individualized developmental assessment tools throughout the year to track each child's progress. Parents receive ongoing communication about their child's development, and the picture of kindergarten readiness is built over the course of the program — not delivered as a single year-end evaluation.

Can my child go to Spark's Kindergarten after Kindergarten Prep?

Yes. Kindergarten Prep and Spark's Kindergarten program are designed as a natural progression. Many K-Prep families continue into Kindergarten at Spark — their child already knows the teachers, the environment, and the Purposeful Play Framework.

Is there a difference between two, three, and five days a week?

All schedule options cover the full Purposeful Play curriculum. More days means more time with peers, more repetition across the enrichment cycle, and more practice sustaining the longer school day. Families preparing for a five-day-a-week kindergarten schedule often benefit from the five-day option.

Ask Us Anything

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.

Tap a topic to start your question:

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

Visit Spark Academy

Let's talk about their next chapter.

Bring your child and your questions about readiness. See the classroom and talk through their next step together.

✓ About 30 minutes ✓ Bring your child ✓ No pressure to enroll

Schedule a Tour

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

Request a tour.

Share your name and a way to reach you. We'll follow up to arrange a time for your family.
See their day. Talk it through.

Explore the classrooms, meet the team, and talk about the program, schedule, and start date that fit.
Get ready for their first day.

When you're ready, we'll guide you through enrollment and help your child feel at home.

Have a question before you visit? Ask us →