Spark Academy, Lawrence Public Schools

Spark Academy is an innovative school dedicated to closing the achievement gap by supporting students' academic growth, health, and wellness (see video). As featured on NPR's Only A Game (see link), Spark's school day intertwines rigorous academic classes with invigorating athletics including dance, karate, cheerleading, and traditional sports. Spark's structures include high academic expectations, small group advisories, daily collaborative lesson planning time, and a school-wide behavior management system. Spark Academy aims to inspire and develop critical thinkers, skillful communicators, healthy bodies and constructive community members.