New Horizon Academy Expands National Footprint
- Enters new states: Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Carolina
- Expands its presence in: Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho
- 22% growth in 5 years in areas of greatest childcare needs
- From Brooklyn Center to nationwide: New Horizon Academy’s expansion story
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (May 26, 2026) — New Horizon Academy, one of the Midwest’s largest early education and childcare providers, announces it is expanding into its sixth state, opening four schools in Nebraska this summer.
New Horizon Academy has expanded 22 percent in recent years – now to 107 schools in six states — entering new markets and accelerating development in both its existing its footprint and in new emerging markets.
This summer, the company will open its first four schools in Nebraska, marking a significant expansion into a new state, and it is preparing to open doors at its first location in Wisconsin – a childcare site on the Southwest Health corporate campus in Platteville. Soon, it will announce the site of its first school in North Carolina, its first step into the Southeast U.S.
Recently, New Horizon Academy expanded in Minnesota and Colorado, opening new schools and enhancing its existing locations.
“New Horizon Academy was founded in Minnesota 55 years ago, and we’re proud to continue growing on that foundation,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “There is a clear and increasing demand for high-quality childcare across the country. Families, employers, and communities all depend on reliable early education and care, and we see a strong opportunity to expand thoughtfully while maintaining the quality and consistency we’re known for.”
The company’s growth comes at a time when the childcare sector is under pressure nationwide. Providers face tight operating margins, workforce shortages, and rising costs while demand for care continues to grow.
Despite these challenges, Dunkley adds that New Horizon Academy has maintained a disciplined growth strategy, focusing on communities where access to high-quality childcare is limited and employers increasingly view childcare as essential workforce infrastructure.
The company partners with communities and employers to provide reliable, high-quality care that allows parents to work and children to thrive. Its model emphasizes early learning, social-emotional development, and strong family partnerships.
“Childcare is foundational to a strong economy,” Dunkley said. “When families have access to dependable care, businesses can grow, and communities can succeed. That’s what’s driving our expansion — not growth for growth’s sake, but for meeting a critical need.”
About New Horizon Academy
Founded in 1971 in Minnesota, New Horizon Academy is a family-owned provider of high-quality early education and childcare. The company now operates 107 schools across five states, with continued expansion underway across the Midwest and beyond. New Horizon Academy is dedicated to nurturing children’s confidence, curiosity, and readiness for lifelong learning while supporting working families with trusted care. To learn more, visit newhorizonacademy.net.