Our Classes
At Benson Hill Cooperative Preschool, we believe children learn best through play. Our emergent curriculum is guided by their interests and enriched through hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). We center creativity, curiosity, and community in all that we do.
As a cooperative preschool, caregiver involvement is a key part of our model. Participation expectations vary by class and are detailed below. Caregivers are always welcome to stay, even on non-working days.
Now enrolling for the 2026-2027 school year!
Hummingbirds Class
Class Day: Thursdays
Class Time: 9:30-11:30 AM
Age Range: 12 months old by August 31 - 2 years old
What does a day look like?
Hummingbirds is a play-based class for ones and twos. Children explore a thoughtfully prepared classroom with opportunities for art, sensory play, blocks, snack, circle time, outdoor play, and open-ended discovery.
This mixed-age class offers a gentle introduction to preschool routines while supporting each child’s comfort, confidence, independence, and connection with others.
Monthly Costs
Tuition: $75/month
Supply Fee: $10/month
PCPO / Parent Education Fee: TBD/month
Caregiver Expectation: Caregivers attend and work in the classroom each week.
Sparrows Class
Class Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Class Time: 9:30-11:30 AM
Age: 2 years old by August 31
What does a day look like?
Children spend the morning in a mindfully designed, play-based classroom environment. A typical day includes open-ended play, art, sensory exploration, play dough, blocks, snack, circle time, outdoor play, and time to build confidence and classroom community at each child’s own pace.
Monthly Costs
Tuition: $140/month
Supply Fee: $10/month
PCPO / Parent Education Fee: TBD/month
Caregiver Expectation: Caregiver works in class one day each week and drops off the other day.
3 Day Sparrows Option
Families who would like an additional day may choose this option. It includes the regular Sparrows class on Mondays and Wednesdays, plus the Hummingbirds class on Thursdays.
Monthly Costs for 3-Day Sparrows
Tuition: $210/month
Supply Fee: $10/month
PCPO / Parent Education Fee: TBD/month
Eagles Class
Class Days: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Class Time: 9:30 AM-12:00 PM
Age Range: 3 - 5 years old, Pre-K
What does a day look like?
Eagles is a play-based preschool class where children have time and space to explore, create, wonder, and build relationships. The classroom is thoughtfully prepared with invitations for art, sensory play, blocks, dramatic play, early literacy, science, snack, circle time, outdoor play, and project-based learning.
Eagles supports children as they grow in independence, confidence, social skills, and problem-solving. Some days may be full of big collaborative play, while other days children may spend long stretches focused on their own ideas. Children are supported as they learn how to be part of a caring classroom community.
Field Trips
Eagles families can expect field trips throughout the year, with the goal of offering about one field trip each month. Past or possible field trips may include visits to the fire station, train museum, food bank, ShoWare Center, and local farms.
Monthly Costs
Tuition: $210/month
Supply Fee: $10/month
PCPO / Parent Education Fee: TBD/month
Caregiver Expectation: Caregiver works in class one day each week and drops off the other days.
Explorers Class
optional add-on STEAM program
Class Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Class Time: 12:00-1:00 PM
Program Dates: October–April
Ages: Enrolled Eagles students ages 4 and up
What does a day look like?
Explorers is a bonus STEAM program for Eagles students who are ready for an extended school day. After the regular Eagles class ends at noon, Explorers stay for a social lunch where they practice Kindergarten-readiness skills like opening containers, managing time, and eating independently.
After lunch, children participate in student-led, hands-on STEAM learning. Explorers gives children time to dive deeper into their interests, ask questions, test ideas, create, build, problem-solve, and expand their learning through science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Monthly Costs
Explorers Tuition: $100/month
Explorers Supply Fee: Additional $15/month
PCPO / Parent Education Fee: Included with Eagles
Caregiver Expectation: Drop-off only
Understanding Costs
We know preschool pricing can feel confusing, so here is a simple breakdown of the different costs families may see.
Monthly Tuition
Tuition is the monthly cost for your child’s class. Tuition helps support teacher pay, classroom operations, and the day-to-day running of the preschool.
Supply Fee
The supply fee helps cover classroom materials used throughout the year, including art supplies, sensory materials, play dough materials, classroom tools, and other hands-on learning supplies.
PCPO / Parent Education Fee
Benson Hill Cooperative Preschool is part of PCPO, which supports cooperative preschools and parent education. This monthly fee will help support parent education and our participation in PCPO. Final details are still being determined.
Registration Fee
$95 per student or $120 per family
The registration fee is a one-time fee paid at enrollment for the school year. This fee helps cover the administrative costs of enrollment and holding your child’s spot.
Fundraising Goal
$180 per family for the year
To help keep tuition more affordable, each family has a yearly fundraising goal. Families can meet this goal by participating in school fundraisers throughout the year, such as food sales, flower sales, auction participation, and other school fundraising opportunities.
Families may also choose to pay part or all of the fundraising goal directly.