Academia offers classes for children and adults in a range of language, social, and cultural studies topics. We have an after-school program with park time, daily Spanish lessons, and cultural-themed after-school activities with bus or walking transfer from the Oak Park elementary schools.

Half-day kindergarten and preschool programs are offered with bus transfer from Garfield Elementary, Forest Park, and Lincoln and Willard elementary schools in River Forest. Some children are dropped off by the Oak Park school bus service after their Oak Park District 90 early childhood programs.

International Preschool

Spanish/English or English only 

Academia offers children aged 3+ the option of two preschool programs for the Fall 2019-2020 school year, with ongoing enrollment throughout the year. One includes mornings immersed in the Spanish language, followed by our Little World Travelers English-based program. The other follows an English-based curriculum only. Both include “Prepare for Kindergarten” content to establish literacy and numeracy foundations required for a successful transition to kindergarten.

Children explore the world, learning about a different country or civilization for a week at a time through arts and crafts, and music and movement activities. A weekly Mandarin class is available in fall, 2018, as well.

Mandarin/English

Academia is committed to bringing affordable preschool immersion Mandarin to the community. In Fall Academia 2019, Academia will launch a third preschool program offering Mandarin/English.

Our Mandarin immersion program will take place from 9am to 12pm every day, with the rest of the day taught in English and following Academia’s Little World Travelers and Prepare for Kindergarten tracks.

Pricing will be subsidized for the 2019 – 2020 school year and locked in for the duration of a child’s enrollment in the program.  Attendance from 3-5 half or full days per week.

Parents interested in starting Mandarin/English preschool earlier than fall 2019 should email info@chicagoacademia.com to register their interest. A small group program will commence as soon as there are three families interested in their child attending on the same days of the week.

Parents interested in the 2019 – 2020 Mandarin/English immersion program can also join a family Mandarin program which takes place on Sunday mornings, to meet the teacher. Please email info@chicagoacademia.com to schedule.

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Camps

Day camps are offered during school and public holidays. Winter Break, Spring Break, and Summer Camps are offered for children aged 3 –10 years. Camps explore different countries around the world, their culture, food, and music. Spanish classes are always offered as part of our camps along with outdoor park time (weather permitting), and a range of sports and splash pad fun during the summer.

Academia’s Summer Camp offers a fun exploration of societies, cultures, and ecology around the world! We’ll tour a different country or civilization each week, learning through art, music, crafts, and storytelling, so your child can imagine what it would be like to grow up in a different country, and how the ecology or architecture may be different from what they are accustomed to at home. From Ancient Egypt to the Australian Outback, from Mongolia to Azerbaijan, get ready to travel far and wide! Children are grouped into age-appropriate small classes and combine cultural learning, daily Spanish lessons,  plenty of general play time, outdoor sports, and splash pad fun at Longfellow Park.

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Kids’ Drop In

Flexible drop-in hours for children! Academia offers a Little World Travelers punch card providing 3 – 6 year-olds 1, 3, or 10 hours of drop-in cultural activities and play. Use your hours any time between 7:30am – 3:00pm or create a regular schedule that works for you.

Children engage in project-based learning to increase their communication skills and develop their social awareness. Cultural themes are explored through music, art, movement, craft-based activities, and project work.  Outdoor time at Longfellow Park is also part of the program.

Children in attendance between 9:00am and 12:30pm will be included in our Spanish class. Email us with the times of day you are interested in and we’ll let you know what is on the curriculum during that time.

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Language Instruction

Academia’s belief and educational philosophy is that each individual student learns through new experiences and social interaction with others. This is why Academia provides a social learning experience in comfortable surroundings. Our custom-designed language courses follow the best practices of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and the World-Readiness for Learning Language Standards—Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities.

These “5 C’s” are inherent to our teaching style and courses, but more importantly, to the student. Learning is a lifelong venture, and by teaching students to learn the process of questioning and making meaning of the world around them, they are better equipped to be a productive member of society.

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Open House

Academia holds a weekly Open House (see dates) for anyone interested in touring the space and asking questions about any of the programs offered. Children are particularly welcome! Join us any Sunday (aside from holiday weekends) 10am – 11am.