Same neighborhood. Same kids. Very different programs. Here's what you're actually getting for your money.
Excel After School: $550/mo · Open until 6 PM · Enrichment Included | Dragon U: $410/mo + $100 registration · Closes 5:30 PM · No enrichment
Side-by-Side Pricing
Dragon U's lower monthly rate comes with a $100 registration fee, closes 90 minutes earlier, and offers no enrichment activities.
Feature by Feature
| ⭐ Excel After School | Dragon U (Carroll ISD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Tuition | $550/month All-inclusive |
$410/month Residents only |
| Registration Fee | $0 No upfront cost |
$100/child ($150/family for employees) Non-refundable |
| Annual Cost (Year 1) | $6,600 No extras |
$5,020 +$100 reg = $5,020 yr 1 |
| Hours of Operation | Until 6:00 PM Extra 30 min flexibility |
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM Closes 30 min earlier |
| Late Pick-up Fee | Standard grace | $15 + $1/min after 5:30 PM Strict enforcement |
| Enrichment Activities | Martial Arts, Chess, Dance & more Included in tuition |
None STEM activities only |
| Daily Snack | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Homework Help | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Staff-to-Child Ratio | Low ratio · Small groups | 22:1 ratio Large groups |
| Nurse On-Site | Staff trained in first aid | No nurse available Explicitly stated in FAQs |
| Part-Time Option | Flexible scheduling | Full-time only 5 days/week required |
| Early Release Days | ✅ Open | ❌ Not included Parents must arrange care |
| Withdrawal Notice | Flexible | 30-day written notice required |
| Financial Assistance | Contact us for options | Reduced rate for FRL families ($260/mo) |
| Grades Served | Pre-K through 5th Grade | K through 4th Grade only |
| Seamless School Day | ✅ Stay at Excel all day — no second drop-off | ❌ Separate from school day program |
Program Details
Excel Academy Southlake · $550/mo
$410/mo residents · +$100 registration
The Real Math
Excel costs $140/month more than Dragon U — but you get 30 extra minutes of pick-up time daily, enrichment activities, no registration fee, early release day coverage, and no 30-day withdrawal lock-in. That's less than $5/day for a significantly better program.