Illumination Learning Studio

Our soon to be 5 year old is rounding out his second and much to our dismay last year at ILS. What Ms. Moli and Mr. Mike along with their fantastic teaching staff have accomplished with our son is beyond remarkable. At ILS he found focus, grounding, social skills, music and arts, and a foundation of education that includes reading, writing, and a wealth of knowledge that leaves kindergarten with some big shoes to fill.
We leave with so much more than we thought possible and so much more than can be conveyed in a review. ILS is truly as good as it gets and if you are hoping to give your kid academic structure and learning, exposure to welcomed diversity, a sense of community and the desire to go to school each day with a teaching staff that is just as invested as you are in their future then we can’t encourage ILS enough.
To contemplate whether or not kindergarten will be challenging enough for your five year old is a good feeling. Thank you ILS we will miss you!

My son loves the before-​school program at ILS. Ms. Molli and Mr. Mike and their staff are all wonderful, caring people. ILS has many activities to keep my son engaged and a clean, beautiful space. If I could give it more than five stars, I would.

There simply is not another after school program around that can rival this one. Personal, talented and caring staff, an outstanding array of activities from music to drama to yoga to art. Help with homework, trips to the park. The owners are the most outgoing, organized and energetic people. They are philanthropic, always doing something in the community. You couldn’t find a better couple to entrust with the care of your children. You will thank your lucky stars and your kids will love it. 5 enthusiastic stars for ILS!

I have been reading a lot of reviews for kindergartens in my neighborhood, and I have found them to be very helpful, so I decided to add one for the school my children are currently attending since it is so uniquely amazing. I hope this review helps to end someones search. This preschool is the best and Its worth every moment of you interest.
My son is in his third year and my daughter is in her second year at ILS. This preschool program is phonemail. Ms Molli and Mr Mike and the staff have gone far and above my hopes and expectations.
When I pick my children up from school they are so eager to share.
They show me the new letters they have learned to write and words they can read, the new Spanish words they know. They show me the play they acted out in Drama, the fun new Yoga poses they liked best. They teach us new songs every week and our house is beautifully decorated with the creative and complex art projects brought home daily. They love to share what they know about life cycles of animals and plants. They are so proud of what they know. They are confident about what they have learned. My children have the love for learning that I hoped most for. (THANK YOU ILS)
This is the kind of feedback I get from my children everyday. I love this school and the community it brings.

My son started at ILS in November of 2014. He had just turned four and although he could sing his ABCs all day long, he probably only recognized six letters. We recently had his parent/​teacher conference and not only does he now know all letters in the alphabet, he also knows the sounds that the letters make.
…you know what this means, he is putting these sounds together and making words. Yep, my four and a half year old is *almost* reading. In a mere six months with the incredible teachers at ILS.
This is the first of many reasons why ILS has been such an incredible organization for our family. The teachers are loving, but structured. They provide a weekly lesson plan that gives me a heads up about what my son will be learning about that week and how we can support the plan at home. They teach Spanish, piano, yoga and art. (My son wishes that every day was Tuesday so that he could wear «comfies» to school and do yoga with Miss Ali).
The amount of care and concern that the teachers at ILS show the students is above and beyond what I would ever imagine for a half day preschool. I cannot recommend this program enough and the teachers that work so hard to make it happen.

This is a fabulous organization. We use the before and after school program and my daughter loves it. They provide a very high level of care and education for elementary school kids: art history, piano, performance, yoga, homework help, playing at the park, chilling… amazing. Mr. Mike and Ms. Molli are loving and organized so that the kids are happy and in control always. Could not ask for a better set-​up to support working parents.

My daughter is in the after school program and we couldn’t be happier. Great stuff and fun and valuable activities. Hard to get her to leave at pick up.

My 6-​year old son started at Illumination in 2013 and he loves it and so do we. Molli and Mike are a great team and the studio offers music, drama, homework help and lots of movement, yoga, tai chi, etc. They are wonderful people who offer kind, loving instruction with clear boundaries and expectations. My son was terrified of being on stage when he first started and now we’ve seen him in his first production. They allow the kids to find their interests and passions and help support them in whichever direction they choose. And the space is beautiful. Highly recommended!

Illuminations is a fantastic place for kids. My 2 boys go to the after school program and have learned so much; drama, piano, chess, yoga and all of their homework is done by the time I pick them up! The program is varied each day so boredom just doesn’t exist here. I used to have to really bland answers on how their day was, and now they have lots of things they can’t wait to share with me around the dinner table. The owners are amazing and really know each and every child. They’ve helped my family feel very welcome and adapt to moving to Seattle.

Illumination Learning School has been an awesome asset to the Greenwood neighborhood and our family. Seattle is very lucky to have Mr. Mike & Mrs. Molli Piper in our community and I am blessed that they are part of our daughters’ school days. My daughter is in Kindergarten at Daniel Bagley and attends the ILS aftercare program. She is picked up directly from school, in the ILS van, taking away any worries about transportation. We have been more than pleased with not only the program but Mr. Mike and Mrs. Molli’s dedication to create a wonderful atmosphere for many age groups.
The aftercare program has by-​far exceeded our expectations with their daily activities including piano lessons, Thai Chi, Yoga, drama and time for homework as well as homework assistance. Filled with huge hearts and the knowledge to determine individual learning needs for each child, the Pipers are amazing. I have seen so many of the kids flourish with knowledge with their time at ILS; from learning music and playing the piano to beginning reading sight words for a pre-​K student.
ILS not only offers an awesome aftercare program, they have toddler programs, personal piano lessons and much more. Stop by and say hello, see the location and visit with the Pipers’, Like ILS on Facebook, or check out their website for more information.

Chicago’s LOSS is Seattle’s GAIN. Up front, I admit, I’ve known owners Mike and Molly (that’s Mr. Mike and Ms. Molli to you) for years. We met often as our sons played ice hockey together. These are two of the kindest people I’ve ever met. that always stood out and gave me pause to reflect on my own persona. The wonderful and loving relationship they have with their own children speaks volumes in today’s world. In fact, that alone should be enough to cause Illumination Learning Studio to grow and expand… today.
Mr. Mike’s reputation as a music instructor is stellar. His students loved him, still do, he cared for them beyond the classroom and seemed to show up for their recitals on a regular basis. Parents loved him too! I’ve seen more happy pictures of Mr. Mike with his young students then I have of some of my family members. Much beloved, Chicago misses him.
Ms. Molli worked hard to gain her teaching credentials and even harder once she got them. She is a giver and her young students appear to not know what ‘hit’ them (metaphorically speaking) as she helps them to expand their universe and even overcome many learning issues. Big heart, patient, caring… Ms. Molli.
They worked hard and designed Illumination Learning Studio as a part of their plan to move back to Washington State, Mr. Mike’s a native (again, metaphorically) and their dream has come true. Now your’s can too!
We have a very good friend in Seattle who has visited them, scoped out the studio, the equipment, location and more. She gives them top grades for the package they’ve put together and is not surprised to see the enrollment growing.
Every kid today is a ‘special needs’ kid as parents both work and are pulled in so many directions. If you need a caring place, a safe place that will help your little one explore the universe… check them out, try them out. You’ll be convinced and your kids will be far better off.