New Horizon Academy, a Minnesota family-owned and operated childcare company, has been serving young children since 1971. Our founder, Sue Dunkley, began her career as an elementary school teacher. Sue knew she needed to provide a nurturing place for children to go before they ventured out into the big world, a place that would help them believe in themselves. Today, Chad Dunkley, Sue’s son and one of New Horizon Academy’s first students, is our Chief Executive Officer. Because of our continuing love, belief, and dedication to children, we have flourished and become one of the nation’s most successful and respected providers of childcare and early education. As New Horizon Academy continues to grow and serve more families each year, we will always have family roots, a warm atmosphere, an open door, and a commitment to excellence.
Awards and Accolades
“They’ve really made our family feel welcome and like a part of their community!”
Puneet & Samantha, New Horizon Academy parents, Lakeville, MN
“Our daughter has been very happy at New Horizon Academy!”
Camila & Lauren, New Horizon Academy parents, St. Paul, MN
“We immediately felt at peace bringing our child here.”
Ronnie & Kaitlyn, New Horizon Academy parents, Lakeville, MN
“The relationships between the children and teachers are incredible.”
Alex Casey, New Horizon Academy parent and former student, Stillwater, MN
Please fill out our contact form or schedule a tour, and our school director will provide your family with personalized tuition rates.
New Horizon Academy schools are open Monday-Friday every day with the exception of nine holidays:
*On Christmas Eve, New Horizon Academy closes at 3:00 p.m.
*If one of these holidays falls on a weekend, it will be observed on either Friday or Monday.
*Our school will remain open during inclement weather to ensure children still have access to quality childcare.
Yes! Our school will have an on-site cook trained in nutrition, USDA guidelines, and proper portions for young children. Our school will provide nutritious and nourishing meals every day including breakfast, lunch, and snack. All meals are included in the cost of tuition.
If your child has a special nutritional need, a food allergy, or requires adaptation to our menu, please alert our school director, and we will partner with your family to create a suitable meal plan.
An investment in a New Horizon Academy education is an investment in your child’s future. Families trust New Horizon Academy to set their children up for success. Here are a few reasons why:
From a single preschool classroom in 1971 to 100 schools today, much has changed for New Horizon Academy, but our commitment to children, families, teachers, and our communities remains the same.
One hundred percent of our eligible schools are accredited by NAEYC, the gold standard in early childhood accreditation. This is an accomplishment no other childcare provider of our size has achieved.
We hire teachers with experience, give them the training and support they need to succeed, pay them above market average, and help them achieve their goals. This results in stable, consistent care for your child.
Our state-of-the-art schools provide children with thoughtfully designed classrooms, playgrounds, and learning tools. We regularly update our schools to ensure they reflect our high standards for safety, quality, and care.
Your child’s safety and well-being always come first. Our childcare centers create caring, secure environments focused on supporting each child’s health and happiness. You can feel confident that your child is in good hands.
Our research-based curriculum offers engaging, hands-on activities in STEAM, language and literacy, social-emotional learning, physical development, and more to support kindergarten readiness and lifelong learning.
As an organization, we strive to foster a welcoming and inclusive culture where all children, families, and staff feel a sense of belonging. We approach our relationships with curiosity, compassion, and respect.
A nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack are prepared fresh each day by our school chef, with menus developed by our nutrition specialist to ensure every meal is balanced. All meals are included in the cost of tuition!
Our mobile app keeps parents connected with daily updates, allowing teachers to share information, send messages, and delight you with photos and videos from your child’s day, so you never miss a moment.
Families are always welcome to come in for visits, participate in activities, and join us for family fun events. We love having parents involved in their child’s learning and value every opportunity to build a strong community.
From a single preschool classroom in 1971 to 100 schools today, much has changed for New Horizon Academy, but our commitment to children, families, teachers, and our communities remains the same.
One hundred percent of our eligible schools are accredited by NAEYC, the gold standard in early childhood accreditation. This is an accomplishment no other childcare provider of our size has achieved.
We hire teachers with experience, give them the training and support they need to succeed, pay them above market average, and help them achieve their goals. This results in stable, consistent care for your child.
Our state-of-the-art schools provide children with thoughtfully designed classrooms, playgrounds, and learning tools. We regularly update our schools to ensure they reflect our high standards for safety, quality, and care.
Your child’s safety and well-being always come first. Our childcare centers create caring, secure environments focused on supporting each child’s health and happiness. You can feel confident that your child is in good hands.
Our research-based curriculum offers engaging, hands-on activities in STEAM, language and literacy, social-emotional learning, physical development, and more to support kindergarten readiness and lifelong learning.
As an organization, we strive to foster a welcoming and inclusive culture where all children, families, and staff feel a sense of belonging. We approach our relationships with curiosity, compassion, and respect.
A nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack are prepared fresh each day by our school chef, with menus developed by our nutrition specialist to ensure every meal is balanced. All meals are included in the cost of tuition!
Our mobile app keeps parents connected with daily updates, allowing teachers to share information, send messages, and delight you with photos and videos from your child’s day, so you never miss a moment.
Families are always welcome to come in for visits, participate in activities, and join us for family fun events. We love having parents involved in their child’s learning and value every opportunity to build a strong community.
We absolutely love New Horizon Academy! The teachers, directors, and staff are not only incredibly caring and attentive, but also genuinely invested in our daughter’s development. With the great communication technology they provide, we don’t feel like we’re missing out on what our daughter is learning and experiencing each day. We feel completely at ease knowing our daughter is in such a safe, nurturing environment. Our family wholeheartedly recommends this daycare to any parent looking for a reliable and supportive center!
New Horizon Academy has been amazing for our family! Our son started when he was 2, and he absolutely loves going to school every day. The teachers are so supportive and genuinely care about the kids, which makes such a difference. It’s comforting to know he’s in a place where he feels happy and safe. We’re so grateful for everything they do!
We’ve had such a great experience at New Horizon Academy. My children’s teachers have been absolutely amazing, and it’s so clear they truly care about the kids. My boys are learning so much and always come home talking about the fun activities they did during the day. I also really appreciate how consistent the communication is. The teachers do a great job keeping us updated throughout the day, which gives us so much peace of mind.
We are absolutely thrilled with our experience at New Horizon Academy! As parents, it’s essential for us to find a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for our son, and this exceptional daycare has exceeded our expectations in every way.
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