About Us

The Vision of World Builder's Academy

The mission of World Builders Academy is to provide outstanding educational and academic programs in S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) for all children. Our foundations are built on the philosophies of democratic schooling, Reggio Emilia, and child- led project-based learning. We believe in providing an environment that supports and encourages young people to understand themselves and their community to reach their fullest potential.

Our Story

World Builders Academy was founded by award-winning educator Panela Leung in 2018 at a small space at Hwy 169 and Vivion Road in Gladstone, Missouri.

We opened our doors to our new home in Parkville in the summer of 2021. Our maker school offers whole-child teaching strategies. We teach lessons in English, math, science, technology, and design thinking. Maker education means learning is intuitive and fun. We capitalize on the creativity in each student and bring their ideas to life. Our goal is to instill confidence and develop powerful young citizens who have the desire to ask questions, the skills to analyze, and the opportunity to act on their ideas. We do not believe in forced time lines and standardized expectations. Our integrated approach means we discuss subject matter utilizing symbolic childhood languages.

Our maker school offers whole-child teaching strategies. We teach lessons in English, math, science, technology, and design thinking. Maker education means learning is intuitive and fun. We capitalize on the creativity in each student and bring their ideas to life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our democratic approach means we discuss what interests the child and set learning goals based on their current abilities. While our educators remain informed about federal and state education standards. We do not believe in forced timelines and standardized expectations. However, we have found that when you facilitate learning by listening to the child they often surpass standard expectations.

Our school day starts at 8:30am and ends at 3:30pm. Early and late care options are from 7am – 5:00pm

We are flexible and can offer days based on available seats on a particular day.

Our ideal ratio 5 students to 1 teacher.

Our academy is for ages 3- 7 (pre-k to first grade). We can consider accepting 2 & 3 years old and require a non-formal playing interview for children at this age to ensure our program is a good fit.

Our workshop programs are open to ages 5 and up. We do not separate students in our lab by age so older students can lead by example to our younger students and lab members.

We teach reading, writing, math, science, history, geography, music, and a variety of afterschool programs and workshops including Chinese.

Our democratic approach means we discuss what interests the child and set learning goals based on their current abilities.We do not separate learning by subjects. While our educators remain informed about federal and state education standards. We do not believe in forced timelines and standardized expectations. Our integrated strategies means we cover literacy, mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and arts utilizing symbolic childhood languages. We have found that when you facilitate learning by listening to the child, they often surpass standard expectations.

Our goal is to instill confidence and develop powerful young citizens who have the desire to ask questions, the skills to analyze, and the opportunity to act on their ideas.

We schedule tours after 4pm during the weekdays. Please fill out our visitor form to set up a time.

Our academy is for ages 3- 7 (pre-k to first grade). We can consider accepting 2 & 3 years old and require a non-formal playing interview for children at this age to ensure our program is a good fit.

Our workshop programs are open to ages 5 and up. We do not separate students in our lab by age so older students can lead by example to our younger students and lab members.

We do not separate students in our lab by age so older students can lead by example to our younger students and lab members. We do a lot of team projects and at times we group students together by ability or interest.
Our ideal ratio 5 students to 1 teacher.
Our democratic approach means we discuss what interests the child and set learning goals based on their current abilities. While our educators remain informed about federal and state education standards. We do not believe in forced timelines and standardized expectations. However, we have found that when you facilitate learning by listening to the child they often surpass standard expectations.
Sibling discount is 2.5% off the tuition and aftercare costs for child #2 and on.
We are flexible and can offer days based on available seats on a particular day all year long.
Our academic program has three “semesters” Fall (September – December), Winter (January – May), Summer (June- August). Families that enroll in our academic program enjoy continuing enrollment through the summer. This provides them summer programs at discounted rate.
Yes, please feel free to bring you children to see our school. We want to make sure we are the right fit for you and your family.
We love offering support to our homeschool families. Keep in mind that our teachers put in a lot of work for our students to prepare lessons that meet your child’s abilities. Maker projects are ideas we facilitate from the child there is substantial prep and commitment for everyone involved here too. Option 1: Maker Lab Studio Membership. Check out the Programs Tab for more information or contact us at 816-178-0063. Option 2: Looking for academic and maker lab project support? Our day program could be a good fit. 3- 5 day options avilable. Option 3: If you are interested in your child getting a specific lesson on technology such as computer programing, drawing, painting, or 3D printing then our workshops or private lessons might be a better fit. Schedule a visit and we will be happy to see how we can help support you in your homeschool journey.