Welcome
Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a family makes. We know you're not simply looking for a place where your child will spend the day—you are looking for a community where they will be known, challenged, supported, and inspired.
At The Children's Collective, we believe children learn best when they are trusted, respected, and given meaningful opportunities to explore their interests, contribute to their community, and grow at their own pace. Our small learning communities, personalized pathways, and student-directed approach allow every child to develop the confidence, curiosity, and independence needed to thrive.
Our families come to us for many different reasons. Some are searching for a more engaging educational experience. Others want a school that values creativity alongside academics, or one where relationships are just as important as test scores. What they all share is the belief that childhood should be protected, curiosity nurtured, and learning joyful.
Our goal is not to find the "perfect" student. Our goal is to partner with families who believe in our educational philosophy and are excited to be active participants in their child's learning journey.
If that sounds like your family, we'd love to get to know you.
Is The Children's Collective the Right Fit?
Our community is designed for children who:
Are naturally curious, value discussion and debate, and enjoy asking questions.
Are excited to learn through hands-on projects, exploration, and real-world experiences.
Value kindness, friendship, belonging, and being part of a close-knit community.
Enjoy choice, creativity, and are eager to explore.
Independent thinkers who question conventional wisdom and Are ready to develop independence and take increasing ownership of their learning.
Just as importantly, we look for families who:
Value curiosity, character, critical thinking and community as much as academic achievement.
Believe children deserve time to wonder, create, explore, and contribute.
Want their child to develop independence, confidence, and purpose.
See education as a partnership between school and family.
Are excited to be active members of a close-knit school community.
Believe childhood should be filled with curiosity, not compliance.
Value depth of learning over simply covering content, memorization or grades.
Perhaps you believe there has to be another way to do school. We do, too.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
"Education is key to developing the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to build a more just, peaceful, inclusive and sustainable world."
The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
"Learning is inseparable from the conditions in which it takes place."
The International Society for Transforming Ed.
"Among the most critical skills for the generation of students now in K–12 schools are those revolving around problem solving, consensus building, and collaboration."
Enrollment Information
We're excited you're considering The Children's Collective. Here you'll find everything you need to learn about admissions, tuition, financial aid, and the enrollment process.
Tuition and Fees
Investing in Your Child's Future
At The Children's Collective, tuition reflects more than classroom instruction. It supports small learning communities, personalized learning pathways, experienced educators, hands-on materials, field experiences, and a vibrant school community designed to help every child thrive.
Annual Tuition | 2026–2027 School Year
| Program | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| Jr. & Sr. Kindergarten (Pre-K) | $16,200 |
| Grades –8 | $12,000 |
Enrollment Fee
New Student Enrollment Fee: $350
A one-time, non-refundable enrollment fee is due upon acceptance to reserve your child's space.
Extended Care
| Program | Cost |
|---|---|
| After School Care | $100 per week |
| No School Camp Days | $60 per day |
| Summer Care | $250 per week |
Payment Options
Families may choose the payment schedule that best meets their needs:
- Pay in Full (10% tuition discount)
- Semester Payments (5% tuition discount)
- Monthly Tuition Plan
Financial Assistance
We believe finances should not be the only barrier to an exceptional education. Need-based financial aid, sibling discounts, work-study opportunities, and other tuition assistance programs are available for qualifying families.
Learn more about Financial Aid Below→
Financial Aid
Making an Exceptional Education More Accessible
At The Children's Collective, we believe that every child deserves access to an engaging, relationship-centered education regardless of a family's financial circumstances. We are intentionally committed to building a socioeconomically diverse school community and work to make our program as accessible as possible.
If you believe The Children's Collective is the right fit for your child but are concerned about affordability, we encourage you to apply for financial assistance. While our resources are limited, we are committed to partnering with families whenever possible.
Tuition Assistance
Financial aid is awarded based on demonstrated financial need and available funding. Awards are provided as tuition discounts and are reviewed annually.
Important Information
- Financial aid funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Current families receive priority consideration through February 28.
- Families must submit a new application each school year.
- Financial aid awards are issued as tuition reductions, not cash grants.
- Families have two weeks to accept an award.
- Awards are forfeited if enrollment is not completed within 30 days of acceptance.
Additional Tuition Assistance Options
In addition to need-based financial aid, some families may qualify for other forms of tuition assistance, including:
- South Dakota Child Care Assistance for eligible families enrolled in our Junior Kindergarten program and qualifying before- and after-school care.
- Family Work-Study Opportunities, allowing families to offset a portion of tuition through meaningful service to our school community.
- Sibling Discounts for families with multiple children enrolled at The Children's Collective.
We're Here to Help
We understand that every family's financial situation is unique. If cost is the only barrier preventing your child from attending The Children's Collective, we encourage you to reach out. We'd be happy to discuss the options available and help determine what may be possible.
Admissions Philosophy
Our Admissions Philosophy
At The Children's Collective, we believe choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a family can make. Our admissions process is not designed to determine whether a child is "good enough" for our school; it is designed to determine whether we are the right community for one another.
We believe the best educational experiences begin with a strong partnership between students, families, and educators. That partnership is built on shared values, open communication, and a commitment to helping every child thrive.
Rather than relying on admissions testing, we take time to get to know each child as an individual. We want to understand their interests, strengths, learning style, personality, and what brings them joy. Just as importantly, we want families to have the opportunity to learn about our philosophy, ask questions, and experience our community firsthand.
Because our classrooms are intentionally small and relationship-centered, every enrollment decision is made with thoughtful consideration of the individual child, the needs of the classroom community, and our ability to provide an environment where the student can be successful.
Our goal isn't simply to fill classrooms. Our goal is to build a community where every child is known, every family feels they belong, and every student has the opportunity to flourish.
Because we are committed to finding the right fit for every child, there may be times when we recommend a different educational setting if we believe another program is better equipped to meet a student's needs. While these conversations are never easy, they are always guided by what we believe is in the child's best interest.
Enrollment Timeline
Welcome
Thank you for considering The Children's Collective! Choosing a school is an important decision, and our admissions process is designed to help your family get to know our community while helping us learn about your child. We believe enrollment is about finding the right fit for both your family and our school.
Step 1: Submit an Inquiry
Complete our online inquiry form to tell us a little about your family. We'll answer your questions and help you determine the next steps.
Step 2: Schedule a Tour
Visit our campus, meet our team, observe our learning environment, and discover what makes The Children's Collective unique.
Step 3: Complete Your Application
Submit your enrollment application along with any requested documents, including previous school records (if applicable), health records, and other required forms.
Step 4: Family Conversation
Every family meets with school leadership before enrollment. This is an opportunity to learn about your child's interests, strengths, personality, and learning style while giving your family time to ask questions about our philosophy and program.
We do not require academic testing for admission.
Step 5: Enrollment Decision
If we determine The Children's Collective is the right fit for your child, you'll receive an enrollment invitation along with your enrollment agreement, tuition information, and next steps.
Step 6: Welcome!
Complete your enrollment forms, choose your tuition payment plan, attend orientation, and get ready for an exciting school year!
family partnership
It Takes a Village
At The Children's Collective, we believe that children thrive when school and home work together. Our families are more than spectators—they are valued partners in building the vibrant, caring community that makes our school unique.
Family Partnership is not simply volunteering. It is an opportunity to share your talents, strengthen relationships, and help create meaningful experiences for every child.
Our Partnership Commitment
Each enrolled family agrees to:
- Complete 4 Family Partnership Credits each month.
- Serve one three-month term on either the Parent & Family Association Board or the Fundraising Committee.
- Volunteer at two school events each year.
We intentionally offer a variety of opportunities so families can contribute in ways that fit their schedules, interests, and talents.
Partnership Opportunities
Examples include:
- Assisting with school events
- Preparing classroom materials
- Sharing a hobby, career, or special talent
- Helping with fundraising efforts
- Gardening and outdoor projects
- Photography, design, or marketing
- Organizing supplies or library materials
- Chaperoning field experiences
- Supporting classroom celebrations
- Serving on the Parent & Family Association
Whether you have one hour a month or a unique skill to share, every contribution strengthens our community.
Why We Ask Families to Participate
Children notice when the important adults in their lives work together. Family partnership helps build stronger relationships, creates a richer learning environment, and models the values of service, collaboration, and belonging that we hope every child will carry beyond our school.
Who we serve
Who Thrives at The Children's Collective?
There is no single "ideal" student at The Children's Collective. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds, interests, personalities, and learning styles. What they share is a curiosity about the world, a willingness to participate in a close-knit community, and a desire to learn through exploration, meaningful work, and authentic experiences.
Because every child's learning pathway is personalized, we welcome students with a variety of strengths, interests, and academic profiles. Rather than expecting children to fit into one model of learning, we design learning experiences that honor who they are while challenging them to grow.
Students Who Thrive at The Children's Collective
Our program is especially well suited for children who:
- Are naturally curious and enjoy asking questions.
- Value kindness, respect, and being part of a close community.
- Enjoy hands-on projects, exploration, and real-world learning.
- Appreciate opportunities for creativity, independence, and choice.
- Enjoy collaborating with children of different ages.
- Are excited to contribute to their classroom, school, and community.
- Are willing to take increasing ownership of their learning.
Student Support
The Children's Collective is committed to creating an inclusive learning community and welcomes students with a variety of learning needs.
Because our classrooms are intentionally small and highly personalized, many students benefit from the individualized attention, flexible pacing, and relationship-centered approach that naturally occur within our program.
While we strive to support a wide range of learners, we are a general education school and are not currently equipped to serve every educational need.
When Another Program May Be a Better Fit
Our educational model may not be the best fit for every child. Students who require intensive therapeutic services, highly specialized instruction, continuous one-on-one adult support, or significantly modified curricula may be better served in a program specifically designed to provide those services.
Examples may include students whose educational needs require:
- A dedicated one-on-one aide throughout the school day.
- Intensive behavioral or therapeutic programming.
- Highly specialized instructional services beyond those available in a general education setting.
- Significant curriculum modifications that cannot be provided within our program.
Every child is unique, and every application is considered individually.
If you are unsure whether The Children's Collective is the right fit for your child, we encourage you to reach out. We are happy to discuss your child's strengths, needs, and learning profile to determine whether our program can provide the environment in which they will flourish.
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Contact
(605) 650-8778
connect@thechildrenscollective.org
3209 S. Summit Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57105