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A Foundation for Lifelong Learning Starts Here

Preschool at Daystar Academy

Creativity
Communication
Collaboration

Daystar Preschool provides young students with a safe environment where they can unleash their creativity, hone their communication, and learn to collaborate with their peers. We also help children discover that God loves them deeply, and wants them to share that love with those around them. By laying a foundation of confidence, kindness, and curiosity, Daystar Preschool helps children learn what it means to care for others, while also laying a foundation of readiness skills that prepare them to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.

The Wonder Zone

We call our preschool program “The Wonder Zone”, because that’s where we all start:

We build hands-on experiences into our preschool program to spark curiosity and help students build essential skills. At Daystar, we provide a space for students to collaborate in a nurturing environment where they can share ideas, ask questions, and learn to think creatively, confidently, and cooperatively.

Small
Groups

10:1 Student to teacher ratio

Technology-
Free

Encourage hands-on learning

Learning
Centers

Students feed their
natural curiosity

Experiential
Learning

Outdoor opportunities to learn and play

Our Preschool Programs

We offer different preschool program options, understanding that every child has unique learning needs and families have different schedules.

Meet a teacher

Tina Begley

Teacher at Daystar Academy since 2014

“My favorite thing about teaching is seeing life through the eyes of our children. They see everything with a sense of awe and wonder! It’s a constant reminder to me of who God is and all the beauty that life holds. I love reading with the little ones and telling them stories – stories that will influence who they are and who they will become. Teaching has brought so much delight and fulfillment to my life, and it has given me a spirit of gratitude to the Lord for allowing me to live out His purpose.”

Community and Culture

Exploratory Learning

We follow the IB program and standards across all grade levels. In preschool, this means recognizing students as agents of their own learning, and encouraging their exploration and curiosity.

Mixed-Age Classrooms

By bringing together 3- to 5-year-olds, Daystar Preschool is a dynamic learning environment where younger students benefit from role models, and older students develop leadership skills. This model encourages cooperation, negotiation, and patience, as students build essential social skills.

A Safe Environment

Safety is a top priority at Daystar. Secure entrances, visitor check-ins, and thorough staff background checks ensure physical security. Additionally, our teachers are trained in Responsive Classroom, which fosters social and emotional safety.

Parent Involvement

You are essential to your learner’s education. Families stay connected through progress reports, parent-teacher conferences, and the Toddle app, which shares photos and updates. We also invite parents to participate in the classroom throughout the year.

From Our Community

See more reviews on Niche

“Daystar’s community is truly a beautiful thing!… Teachers strive to challenge students academically and holistically… Students are encouraged to be open to diverse perspectives and engage with ideas from people who may think or look differently from them. This extends to a vibrant parent community where we connect, interact, and cheer on each other’s children. I’ve felt confident allowing my child to take risks, knowing that the Daystar staff, guided by a Christian framework, gently encourages them while providing strong, attentive support.”

Daystar Parent

“Daystar is a wonderful community of parents and children. Teachers and administration care about the students deeply and treat them all with respect and individual attention. The curriculum is rigorous and follows international baccalaureate standards. The sports and clubs are growing every year and are becoming more varied.”

Daystar Parent

“Daystar has an amazing school culture, and a vibrant community surrounding it. The distinctives, vision, and direction of the school are unique and enriching for kids, parents, and all involved. The IB focus and curriculum, combined with intentional engagement in the city and an international focus is truly unique and equips kids well as they head out into the world. This truly is a school that focuses on developing the whole person.”

Daystar Parent

“At Daystar, the students are holistically developed and when they leave this institution, they are so ready for the world out there. There is always a Christ centered ethos that drives the daily activities in the school. The students are not just heard, they are seen as individuals with potential. This boosts and motivates them as individuals who strive for growth. They also become aware of the community around them, which creates an awareness of selflessness. The family bond that is shared at Daystar Academy, is felt and shared with everyone. It is a place of belonging.”

Daystar Teacher

“Daystar was pivotal in creating a strong foundation for our daughter. The teachers, staff and curriculum cultivated within her confidence in who she is as a child of God and global citizen. I have seen how she thinks deeply & creatively with empathy & strong communication skills as a result of a Daystar education. I appreciate how Daystar genuinely cares about the whole child.”

Daystar Parent

“Daystar’s community is truly a beautiful thing! It’s cultivated internally from really caring, kind teachers who are accessible and supportive. Teachers strive to challenge students academically and holistically-with executive functioning, soft skills (ex. proper email etiquette) and character development. Students are encouraged to be open to diverse perspectives and engage with ideas from people who may think or look differently from them. This extends to a vibrant parent community where we connect, interact and cheer on each other’s children. I’ve felt confident allowing my child to take risks, knowing that the Daystar staff, guided by a Christian framework, gently encourages them while providing strong, attentive support.”

Daystar Parent

“Daystar is a school with a diverse supportive community. The school prides itself on using the city as a classroom and teaching how students interact with and can impact the world around them, all through a Christian point of view. It works hard to have students that are economically and racially diverse. It is an International Baccalaureate school which fits well with thinking about the city around them and broader world and how students can make a positive impact on their community.”

Daystar Parent

“Daystar Academy is a gem in the City of Chicago. I have had my three children here for years, and they have thrived. The administrators lead and not just manage. They set the culture; I have always found to be faith-filled, joyful, and belonging. My children’s progress academically, socially, and emotionally is a testament to to the teachers dedication. Regarding parental involvement, you can coach team sports, attend chapel every Fridays, go on learning excursions (field trips) with your child, and volunteer.”

Daystar Parent

“Daystar has been nothing short of a blessing for me and my family. The school is everything I wanted in a teaching position; supportive administration, outstanding academic rigor, & a student body that enjoys attending school. I enjoy teaching a personal finance elective to my students, & the annual international travel provides life-transforming journeys & experiences for students. I love Daystar!”

Daystar Teacher

“My daughter has been at Daystar since Kindergarten and she is in 9th grade now. Daystar is an amazing community that cares about the whole child-spiritual, physical and mental. There are so many supports there that enhances the educational experience.”

Daystar Parent

“We have been long-time supporters, parents of students and champions of Daystar Academy! The community at Daystar from families, to student friendships, to parent-teacher partnerships is truly our greatest strength. At Daystar, our kids are known and loved. The staff and teachers at Daystar nurture our whole child – their emotional, spiritual and academic growth. One is not greater than the other. Our community supports each other in ways that are tangible and authentic – we truly look out for one another. I cannot stress enough that the community at Daystar cares. The IB program is rigorous – I have no doubt our children will be prepared for college and beyond.”

Daystar Parent

“Our daughters were admitted to an academic center and a very competitive high school after being at Daystar for middle school. Great academic preparation for their future.”

Daystar Parent

“We started at Daystar in fall 2020 (in the elementary school) and our experience has been excellent. We were attracted to its IB curriculum, differentiated learning, commitment to diversity, biblical values, and low student-teacher ratio. For us these things aligned with our core values and we have been very pleased with the rigorous education our kids have received as well as the positive environment in which they have received it. Our kids are learning to think, learning how to interact with all sorts of people, and are given lots of practical opportunities to take ownership of their education and experience. Their programming in sports, music, and other extracurriculars is growing and developing rapidly, while still remaining approachable.”

Daystar Parent

“My kids love going to school at Daystar. The teachers are confident, creative, and kind. The academics are challenging, but not overwhelming because they work hard to give each student attention for their learning needs. The smaller class sizes and additional teachers achieve this well. My children’s progress report gives specific skills they are working towards. There are not A, B, C grades in a subject, but instead an explanation of progress towards a goal, such as counting backwards from 120 for a 1st grader. They also write comments specific to a child’s strengths and how they relate with others. My kids prefer going to school over staying home. They are sad about sick days, snow days, and early dismissals for appointments. Daystar has been such a great community for our family. I love that the parents can attend Friday chapels because we can see the caring environment that our kids are in and get to know other parents.”

Daystar Parent

“We have been extremely happy during our years at Daystar. Beginning with Preschool, the focus on inquiry based learning has provided our children with an engaging way to learn. Each project within the IB Unit has allowed our children to explore each academic subject under the umbrella of one unified topic, integrating all of their learning together – along with their faith development. We have continually impressed with the responsiveness and supportive nature of all of the teachers and school staff. Expectations for homework have been extremely developmentally appropriate and we have appreciated that our children do not bring home large amounts of paperwork – the focus is on hands-on learning in the classroom community, not rote learning with worksheets.”

Daystar Parent

“Daystar is a unique school that offers a level of attention for students that is impossible to find at schools that are larger and more established. It offers a rigorous academic program but within an environment that is supportive and caring.”

Daystar Parent

“My kids are learning and growing in a diverse environment. They take field trips all over Chicago and travel the world through the XP program. Their teachers care about them as whole people and support their development in many ways.”

Daystar Parent

“Daystar has been a place my family belongs. As a family that has been knit together with adoption, our mixed family blends right in at Daystar. Our family has been supported through emotional and academic help as our girls have grown up here. Teachers have gone above what we ever expected to love our girls even beyond the school hours. I’m so thankful for this bright spot in a big city.”

Daystar Parent

“The high school program, while small, provides students with a tremendous IB education. They receive almost unlimited support from teachers who are engaged and dedicated. While opportunities outside of class are still developing, many students enjoy such programs as sports, yearbook, clubs/electives, and travel. Hopefully more eager students will come join this unique and special high school.”

Daystar Teacher

“Daystar has been a great choice for our middle school students. They thrive in the IB curriculum which teaches them how to write and think critically. It is a very safe environment and also very diverse in terms of race and socioeconomic status, which is rare. My children have made good friendships with people very different from us and it helps them understand the beauty of our different experiences but shared dreams and aspirations.”

Daystar Parent

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Step inside and see why families are choosing a Christ-centered education in the City of Chicago.

Step inside and see why families are choosing a Christ-centered education in the City of Chicago.

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Empowering students to positively impact the world through a faith-based, culturally-engaged, globally-minded education.

Daystar Academy
1550 South State St.

Chicago, IL 60605
312-791-0001 
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