Comedian?s Former Wife Starts Royal Children?s Academy in Springdale

If you’ve driven by Electric Avenue in Springdale lately you probably have seen the new Royal Children’s Academy. But what you may not know is the school’s owner and president is Linda Smirnoff, the former wife of Russian comedian Yakov Smirnoff.

Linda Smirnoff, who lives in Bentonville, opened the 16,000-SF for-profit school in December.

She said the academy has about 120 kids enrolled in its after-school program and 192 enrolled in the day program.

The after-school program is for children in school up to fifth grade, and the day program is for children six weeks old to pre-kindergarten age.

Smirnoff said she chose to invest in the Academy because she saw a need for a curriculum-based program in Springdale. She’s also into having a healthy lifestyle, so the kids aren’t given any sugar or white flour, only fresh fruits and vegetables and whole-grain foods.

Smirnoff said she has plans for other curriculum-based programs for children but she wouldn’t elaborate.

Speaking of curriculum, Yakov Smirnoff received a master’s degree in positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in May.

The university’s Positive Psychology Center offers a summer school on humor and laughter. We’re not sure, but we do wonder if that will increase ticket prices to his shows in Branson.