New Horizon Academy
New Horizon Academy is a family-owned early childhood education provider operating 104+ schools across eight U.S. states, delivering full-day infant, toddler, preschool, prekindergarten, and school-age programs to working families on a recurring tuition basis.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersPlymouth, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What New Horizon Academy does
New Horizon Academy is a private, family-owned early childhood education provider founded in 1971 in Minnesota by Susan and William Dunkley and now led by CEO Chad Dunkley. The company delivers full-day childcare and preschool programs for children ages 6 weeks through 4th grade through a network of more than 104 schools across eight U.S. states (Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Wisconsin), with the heaviest concentration of 72 schools in Minnesota. The core product portfolio comprises five age-based programs — Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Prekindergarten, and School-Age — supplemented by Camp Discovery summer programming, enrichment courses, and a community-service initiative called Caring Beyond the Classroom.
The company's curriculum is built on a research-based framework integrating STEAM, social-emotional learning, and a proprietary kindergarten-readiness assessment (with reported 96% of graduates meeting start-of-kindergarten benchmarks and 95% socially ready for kindergarten). Supporting technology is operational rather than AI-driven: a proprietary mobile app enables daily parent-teacher communication with photos, videos, and messages; in-house curriculum, licensing, HR, finance, and real estate development functions support the network. 100% of eligible schools hold NAEYC accreditation, described in the source material as an accomplishment no other provider of comparable size has achieved.
Revenue is generated almost entirely through recurring monthly tuition for all-inclusive programs (education plus in-house chef-prepared breakfast, lunch, and snack). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via school tours, website scheduling, and an interactive location map, with a secondary B2B line through employer-sponsored childcare, school acquisitions, and in-house real estate development. Marketing combines organic social, a parenting podcast, community engagement, and word-of-mouth referrals. The company remains 100% family-owned with no disclosed institutional investors, self-funding its multi-state expansion.
New Horizon Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- New Horizon Academy
- Legal name
- New Horizon Academy
- Website
- https://newhorizonacademy.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- New Horizon Academy is a family-owned early childhood education provider operating 104+ schools across eight U.S. states, delivering full-day infant, toddler, preschool, prekindergarten, and school-age programs to working families on a recurring tuition basis.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
New Horizon Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Childcare Services
- NAICS
- Child Care Services (62441), Educational Services (61)
- SIC
- Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Full-Day Nursery Programs (EDACACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Extended Day Programs at Preschools & Childcare Centers (EDACAHAB), General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA)
Keywords
Where New Horizon Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Plymouth
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
New Horizon Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Childcare and Preschool Tuition: Recurring tuition revenue from full-day early education and childcare programs for children ages 6 weeks through 10 years. Programs include infant care, toddler programs, preschool, prekindergarten, and school-age before/after care. Fresh meals (breakfast, lunch, snack) are included in tuition cost.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | All-inclusive tuition covering education and meals |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
New Horizon Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
New Horizon Academy provides full-day early childhood education and childcare programs for children ages 6 weeks through 4th grade, delivered through 100+ physical school locations across 8 states. Programs include infant care, toddler, preschool, prekindergarten, school-age before/after care, and summer camp, all built on a research-based curriculum integrating STEAM, social-emotional learning, and kindergarten readiness assessments, with fresh meals included in tuition.
Product overview
New Horizon Academy operates as a childcare and early education provider offering a comprehensive suite of programs spanning infant care through school-age services. The core portfolio includes five age-based programs (Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Prekindergarten, and School Age) serving children from 6 weeks through 4th grade, supplemented by Camp Discovery summer program and enrichment offerings. The company provides technology-enabled parent engagement via a mobile app for daily updates and communications. Additional services include employer-sponsored childcare solutions and school acquisition/real estate services. All programs are delivered through a network of 100+ schools across 8 states, with a research-based curriculum integrating STEAM, social-emotional learning, and kindergarten readiness assessments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Infant Program Early education program welcoming babies as young as 6 weeks old into a safe, loving environment, with experienced educators working hand-in-hand with families.
- Toddler Program Early education and childcare program blending developmentally appropriate activities that support toddlers' growing curiosity, independence, and confidence with consistent routines.
- Preschool Program
- Prekindergarten Program
- School Age Program
- Camp Discovery Summer Program
- Employer-Sponsored Childcare
- School Acquisitions and Real Estate Development
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% family satisfaction based on 2025 family survey results
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use New Horizon Academy
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
New Horizon Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
New Horizon Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Partnership for a Healthier AmericacoreNew Horizon Academy made a commitment to Partnership for a Healthier America in the 2010s and pioneered a farm-to-table program for early childhood education settings, providing nutritious meals to children.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
New Horizon Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- KinderCare Learning Companies: Largest private for-profit early childhood education provider in the U.S., operating thousands of centers nationwide. Direct competitor in full-day infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age care for working families, with comparable curriculum and tuition model.
- Bright Horizons Family Solutions: Public, large-scale provider of early education and childcare with a strong employer-sponsored childcare channel. Closely comparable business model and customer base (working families and corporate partners), serving children from infancy through preschool.
- Learning Care Group: Operates multiple early-childhood brands (Childtime, Tutor Time, La Petite Academy, Everbrook Academy) across the U.S. Directly comparable full-service childcare and preschool programs serving similar age ranges (6 weeks through school-age).
- Cadence Education: PE-backed for-profit operator of 200+ private preschools and early childhood education centers across the U.S. Direct competitor in full-day early education with comparable curriculum, accreditation focus, and growth-via-acquisition strategy.
- Primrose Schools: National franchise system of accredited early childhood education schools (infant care through after-school). Comparable private-pay model, age-based programs (6 weeks to 12 years), and proprietary Balanced Learning curriculum.
- The Goddard School: Franchised network of play-based early childhood education schools serving infant through pre-K and school-age. Comparable full-day tuition model and STEAM-inspired curriculum for working families.
- Discovery Point: Franchise system of childcare and early education centers offering infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age programs. Similar full-day private-pay tuition model targeting working families with structured curriculum.
Emerging players
- The Malvern School: Regional for-profit operator of early childhood education schools primarily in the Mid-Atlantic (PA, NJ, DE). Comparable full-day programs for children 6 weeks to 8 years with curriculum-based learning approach.
- Stratford School: Private preschool and elementary school operator in California. Comparable preschool-through-elementary academic focus with STEAM and social-emotional learning, though concentrated in one region.
- Children's Learning Adventure: Premium early childhood education provider with multiple U.S. locations offering infant through pre-K programs. Comparable full-day tuition model with curriculum differentiation and modern facility design.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
New Horizon Academy social profiles
Digital presenceNew Horizon Academy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
New Horizon Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
New Horizon Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
New Horizon Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
New Horizon Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about New Horizon Academy
What does New Horizon Academy do?
New Horizon Academy provides full-day early childhood education and childcare programs for children ages 6 weeks through 4th grade, delivered through 100+ physical school locations across 8 states. Programs include infant care, toddler, preschool, prekindergarten, school-age before/after care, and summer camp, all built on a research-based curriculum integrating STEAM, social-emotional learning, and kindergarten readiness assessments, with fresh meals included in tuition.
Is New Horizon Academy a public or private company?
New Horizon Academy is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was New Horizon Academy founded?
New Horizon Academy was founded in 1971. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is New Horizon Academy based?
New Horizon Academy is headquartered in Plymouth, United States, in the North America region.
How does New Horizon Academy make money?
One revenue line is on record: childcare and Preschool Tuition.
Who are New Horizon Academy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are KinderCare Learning Companies, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Learning Care Group, Cadence Education, Primrose Schools, The Goddard School and Discovery Point. Emerging players are The Malvern School, Stratford School and Children's Learning Adventure.
Does New Horizon Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for New Horizon Academy.
What industry is New Horizon Academy in?
New Horizon Academy's product category is Childcare Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDACACAD, Full-Day Nursery Programs, with a secondary code of EDACAHAB, Extended Day Programs at Preschools & Childcare Centers. Its NAICS code is 62441 and its SIC code is 8351.