Music and Drama
Children explore rhythm, movement, and creative expression through hands-on music and drama. They learn fundamentals like melody and notation while building confidence through storytelling, puppetry, and simple performances.
The Gardner School of Minneapolis
Where Families Find Care and Connection
Preschool Community Families Trust in Downtown Minneapolis
At The Gardner School of Minneapolis, children learn and grow in a calm, thoughtfully designed environment in the heart of the city. Serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, our NAEYC-accredited preschool blends early academics with nurturing relationships to create a meaningful early learning experience for downtown families. Conveniently located on the ground level of the LaSalle building—right off I-394, across from the Hennepin Arts building, and connected to the Skyway—we make daily routines easier with free, dedicated drop-off and pick-up parking.
Community Built for Belonging
Inside our modern classrooms, teachers guide early literacy, math, problem-solving, and social-emotional growth through a research-based curriculum and hands-on exploration. Children enjoy an inviting indoor playscape and a secure rooftop playground, unique features that offer movement and discovery even in an urban setting. With a Kids’ Café, a private nursing suite, and thoughtful school design, families experience a warm, supportive place where children feel known, safe, and encouraged to grow.
Location
Inside this School
Learning
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Our research-based curriculum supports early literacy, math, creativity, and social-emotional development. Teachers guide children through purposeful play, hands-on learning, and routines that strengthen confidence and early academic foundations.
Safety and Health
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A secure, two-checkpoint entry system, clean classrooms, and predictable daily routines help children feel safe and supported. Healthy meals and snacks in the Kids’ Café nourish growing bodies, and a private nursing suite provides comfort and convenience for nursing parents.
Environment and Design
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Thoughtfully arranged classrooms, natural materials, and modern finishes create a calm and inviting space for young learners. Our indoor playscape and secure rooftop playground offer unique opportunities for movement and exploration in an urban setting.
Community
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Families appreciate real-time communication, daily check-ins, and a warm, supportive school culture. With Skyway access, central downtown location, and easy parking, our school is a convenient and trusted choice for families who live or work in Minneapolis.
Academically-Focused Programs
At The Gardner School, learning truly begins with care. Our infant classrooms provide a nurturing start built on a nationally recognized, research-based curriculum that supports early learning and development. With teachers who understand both the science and the soul of early education, babies grow in an environment that builds trust, curiosity, and confidence from the very beginning.
Toddlers are natural explorers, full of curiosity, movement, and new words waiting to bloom. At The Gardner School, our toddler classrooms nurture and celebrate this growing independence through play-based learning and intentional teaching. Each day builds confidence, language, and friendship in an environment that’s safe, structured, and full of joy. Our early childhood education program develops the whole child — encouraging physical coordination, emotional confidence, and early cognitive growth in every discovery.
Two-year-olds are bursting with curiosity and confidence. At The Gardner School, our classrooms encourage this new independence through hands-on learning, nurturing guidance, and joyful discovery. Teachers help children explore, experiment, and build social and self-help skills in a safe environment where learning and laughter go hand in hand. In this two-year-old early learning classroom, children begin to strengthen emotional regulation, independence, and empathy while exploring the world around them.
Preschoolers are natural problem-solvers and collaborators. At The Gardner School, our classrooms inspire curiosity, confidence, and creativity through hands-on learning and purposeful structure. Teachers guide children through new concepts in literacy, math, science, and art, helping them build independence, friendships, and a lifelong love of learning. Our preschool classrooms encourage critical thinking and pre-academic foundations that set the stage for kindergarten success.
Pre-K is a milestone year filled with confidence, curiosity, and preparation for what’s next. At The Gardner School, our teachers guide children through meaningful, play-based learning that builds academic readiness, social skills, and independence. With a curriculum designed around kindergarten preparation, students develop the focus, responsibility, and love of learning that will carry them into elementary school and beyond. Our Pre-K program helps children grow the attention, independence, and social skills they need to feel confident and ready for kindergarten.
Enrichment Programs
Sports
Active, structured classes help children build coordination, strength, and confidence. Through sports like soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and yoga, they practice teamwork, listening skills, and healthy movement habits.
Martial Arts
Martial arts introduce balance, discipline, and respectful movement in a safe, beginner-friendly format. Children learn basic stances and controlled motions that build focus, confidence, and body awareness.
Dance and Movement
Children build balance, coordination, and spatial awareness through beginner dance and creative movement. With simple steps, stretching, and expressive motion, they strengthen motor skills while growing confidence and joy in how their bodies move.
S.T.E.A.M.
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math experiences spark curiosity and critical thinking. Through simple experiments and creative projects, children explore how things work and discover the joy of learning.
Foreign Language
Through songs, games, and simple vocabulary, children are introduced to the basics of a second language to enable basic conversational skills. Lessons built around familiar themes make learning fun, natural, and age-appropriate.
Seasonal Experiences
Children participate in seasonal, multi-week, or pop-up enrichment classes that may include cooking, gardening, or exciting seasonal activities. These experiences offer fresh ways to learn, create, and discover.
School Leadership
Chloe Nelson
Executive School Director
Chloe Nelson
Executive School Director
Chloe finds so much joy in the energy and connection that fill The Gardner School of Minneapolis each day. She loves chatting with families in the morning, hearing stories about their evenings, and starting the day with smiles and laughter. For Chloe, these everyday check-ins are what help create a welcoming community where everyone feels seen, supported, and at home.
Cedric Martin
Assistant Director
Cedric Martin
Assistant Director
Cedric’s favorite moments at The Gardner School of Minneapolis are the spontaneous ones. He loves hearing a child’s silly but surprisingly wise observation or witnessing the small acts of kindness they share with one another. These moments remind him why early childhood education feels so meaningful and joyful.
Schedule a Tour
Please select a date and time that works best for you (tours are ~45 minutes). We recommend visiting in the morning between 9:30 – 11:30 am. Of course, we completely understand that is not always possible with families’ schedules and welcome families to join whenever is most convenient for you. If you aren’t ready to tour yet or these times below don’t work for your family, use the Contact Us button below, and we will coordinate a time together.
Contact Us
If you aren’t yet ready to schedule a tour or the available times do not work for your family, please click Contact Us to connect with someone from The Gardner School.