Lakefront Children’s Academy Nurtures Bright Minds Through Hands-On, Heartfelt Learning

With a small-group, personalized approach and a rich blend of academics, creativity and community traditions, Lakefront Children’s Academy sets young learners up for lifelong success.

At Lakefront Children’s Academy in Chicago’s Lakeshore East/New Eastside communities, early education is more than a stepping stone, school leaders say; it’s the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity, confidence and connection.

For over two decades, this close-knit preschool has been supporting children ages 2-6 with a dynamic, hands-on curriculum and a joyful, community-centered spirit.

Here, learning is personalized and purposeful, blending core academics with music, movement, art, languages and meaningful real-world experiences.

Academics that grow with the child

Lakefront’s slogan, “Enriching the mind one child at a time,” is more than a tagline, says Office Assistant Kyle Rogers — it’s a guiding philosophy. Small class sizes allow teachers to understand each child’s learning style and social needs, tailoring instruction accordingly.

“Our classrooms are broken up into smaller environments to promote closer teacher-student interactions,” Rogers says. “This helps our teachers understand how each student learns and socializes best.”

The school’s multi-age program progresses naturally from the Jellybeans class for 2-year-olds — where children explore reading, phonics, colors, shapes and basic Spanish — to the Worker Ants class for ages 3-4, where advanced phonics, writing, math, science and structured classroom etiquette come into play. Older preschoolers in the Dolphins class, ages 5-6, dive into advanced literacy, math concepts and executive function skills that prepare them for the transition to elementary school.

Daily oral lessons in English, Spanish and American Sign Language build language skills, while weekly yoga, outdoor play and physical education keep bodies as active as minds. 

STEM concepts are introduced early, often through creative, tactile projects. Instead of reading about the lifecycle of a butterfly, for example, Dolphins students raised caterpillars in the classroom, then released them in their natural habitat during a daily outing in the park.

A culture of community and connection

Lakefront is an integral part of the Lakeshore East neighborhood, Rogers adds. Longstanding traditions — like the Halloween parade to the local firehouse, Easter egg hunts in the park, and the annual Christmas show — connect students with their community.

“The biggest hit with our parents is our Valentine’s Night Out, where we allow parents to leave their students with us after school until 8 o’clock,” Rogers says. Teachers host a pizza-and-movie marathon for the kids, while “the parents get a much-deserved date night.”

Led by a mother-son duo, LCA’s parents know the principal, Cheryl Rogers, by name — and conversations in the hallway often turn into shared laughter. This sense of trust and familiarity helps children feel secure and engaged, Rogers says.

Beyond the basics

Lakefront’s enrichment offerings go far beyond typical preschool fare. Children can take piano lessons with a Musikgarten-certified instructor, learn computer skills, practice yoga and participate in daily STEM activities. Sign language instruction begins early, and students regularly bring home art projects that extend learning beyond the classroom.

Summer programs and flexible scheduling options (half- or full-day) give families additional ways to stay connected and keep young minds engaged year-round.

Preparing students to thrive

Lakefront Children’s Academy graduates are often recommended for gifted programs or enter kindergarten ahead of grade level. But the school’s ultimate goal is bigger: to develop well-rounded, confident learners who love school and embrace challenges.

“We foster a close-knit environment because we have been in the community for so long,” Rogers says. “In fact, we were the first preschool in the New Lakeshore East/New Eastside community.

“Parents should expect to not only better their child’s education,” he adds, “but also get to know other like-minded parents in the neighborhood through our community.”

This content is sponsored by the Lakefront Children’s Academy. To learn more, visit the Lakefront Children’s Academy website — and discover more Chicago schools in the Best Schools Guide.