Montessori school plans to serve diverse community in Citrus Heights

Updated Aug. 1, 4:55 p.m.–
By Sara Beth Williams– Business owners Natalia and Max Boyko are proposing to transform the former Sears Parts and Service building at Sunrise Mall into a center for learning, serving children from age two to 12.

As previously reported, city documents indicate that a minor use permit application for Sunrise Montessori occupy the building at Sunrise Mall, is currently under review.

The former 12,000-square-foot building has been newly remodeled, according to leasing documents. According to the proposed site plan documents, the layout for the new preschool will include two classrooms for five and six-year-olds, two classrooms for three and four-year-olds, one classroom for two and three-year-olds, and two classrooms for six to twelve-year-olds.

The plans also call for the construction of a 4,500-square-foot playground area, offices, a break room area, and restroom facilities.

In an interview on Wednesday, Natalia Boyko told The Sentinel that she has a “huge wait-list” of families seeking daycare in the area around the Sunrise Mall, including families from Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks.

The Boykos are part of the Ukrainian community, Natalia Boyko said, and work with refugees from Ukraine and Russia to try and provide daycare. Boyko owns another childcare center called Advanced Early Childhood Education, as well as her own in-home daycare, which she operates in Fair Oaks. According to the childcare center’s website, the Advanced Early Childhood Education Center is the first full-service, nonprofit preschool for Russian-speaking children.

Boyko said the new school is seeking to offer childhood education classes as well as kindergarten and after-school care, with time for homework. Boyko added that the school hopes to provide organic foods from local farmer’s markets, and said there will be no TV or video games.

“It will be for everybody,” Boyko said, noting she is planning to have teachers who speak several languages, including English, Ukrainian, Russian, Spanish, and Romanian. Boyko said families can have children placed in English-speaking-only classes if they wish, and that all teachers will assist non-English-speaking students in learning English.

In a letter submitted to the city, the Boykos said the school plans to support and sponsor children who “might otherwise miss out due to economic constraints” by offering scholarships and sponsorship programs.

“We are dedicated to leveling the playing field, ensuring every child, regardless of their socio-economic background, is given the chance to discover their talents, develop virtues, and flourish in an environment of enriched learning,” the letter states.

City documents show the school is proposed to have 18 staff members and up to 173 students. Boyko wants to open the new preschool “as soon as possible” and is aiming for Jan. 1, 2025.

*This article has been updated with the proper title of the Sears building, along with an image from the city’s project map.