Lake Superior Zoo School

Growing WILD together!

Our waitlist is currently full. Please check back this winter for openings for Summer 2022 and School Year 2022-2023!

Our values: Wonder. Integrity. Love. Diversity.

  • Growing WILD. We believe in the sacredness of childhood. We understand this incredible stage of human development, and we honor it by encouraging children to play and by supporting their growth, as we play and grow ourselves. We also commit to grow as an early childhood education program rooted in educational research.
  • Wonder. We believe in the power of curiosity. We know that an open-minded approach to life allows imaginations to grow and flourish, connections to form, and meaning to be built. We see the world with new eyes each day.
  • Integrity. We commit to becoming the best version of ourselves. Young children learn by observing the role models in their lives. We strive to provide strong models for children to imitate, and we teach children the power of their own words and actions.
  • Love. We embrace that loving, safe relationships are the foundation of high-quality early childhood education. We approach our families, our children, and our work with love in an effort to build a compassionate community.
  • Diversity. We recognize that everyone is different, and that our differences strengthen us as a community. Together, we create a place where all children are free to discover and to celebrate their own unique cultures and identities. 

Our mission: To inspire the healthy social emotional, physical, creative, and cognitive development of young children through close-up experiences with animals and nature.

Days, Times, and Tuition Rates

  • Monday-Friday; 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • School-year Session: Tuesday, September 7, 2021 – Thursday, June 9, 2022
  • Summer Session: Monday June 21, 2021 – Friday August 27, 2021
  • Full-time: $900 per month
  • Part-time (Tuesday, Thursday): $360/month
  • Part-time (Monday, Wednesday, Friday): $540/month

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register my child?

Registration for the 2021-2022 school year is now closed.
Apply using the buttons above. Applications will be accepted until all spots are filled. A $25 application fee is due when applying.

Do you offer part-time enrollment?

Yes! We offer part-time options for both Summer Session and the 21/22 School Year!

Who should apply?

The Lake Superior Zoo School is open to children ages 33 months (fully potty trained) to 5 years old located in the Twin Ports area. We also accept families participating in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and Early Learning Scholarships.

What happens after I register?

Registered families will either be offered a spot at Zoo School or placed on the Wait List for the session in which they registered.

What does a typical day look like at the Lake Superior Zoo School?

• Arrival & Playscape Play
• Snack
• Zoo Walk
• Morning Meeting
• Playscape Play
• Lunch
• Rest
• Quiet Play
• Inside Play
• Small Group/Hike
• Snack
• Playscape Play & Departure
Learn more about our program plan here.

Is there a deposit once placement is announced?

Yes, the deposit amounts are as follows:
– FULL-TIME: 21-22 School Year Session is $315. The deposit for Summer Session is $450.
– PART-TIME (T/TH): 21-22 School Year Session is $135. The deposit for Summer Session is $180.
– PART-TIME (M/W/F): 21-22 School Year Session is $180. The deposit for Summer Session is $270.

How is tuition collected?

Tuition is collected via automatic bank withdrawal or credit card.

Will there be holiday breaks?

Please see our 2021-2022 Calendar

How does the Zoo School keep its students and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic?

We have a full pandemic preparedness plan in place, as well as a parent guide and home screen tool for COVID-19 symptoms. Please click the links below to view those documents.
• LSZS COVID-19 Policies & Procedures
• Home Screening tool for COVID-19 Symptoms
• COVID-19 Decision Tree

What is the class size and how many teachers are there?

Currently, the class size is 18 children with 4 teachers.

How do payments for Summer Session work?

For Summer Session 2021, tuition payments of are due on June 21 & July 19. Prorated tuition for August 16-27 is included with the non-refundable deposit.

For questions or more information contact:

Leah Budnik
lbudnik@lszoo.org
(218) 730-4500 ext. 219