Connect
Impact Stories

Spark Online Academy: Designing a Learner-Centered Online Public School

Guest Author

By Julie Johnson, Principal, Spark Online Academy, in collaboration with Learner-Centered Collaborative

Spark Online Academy Case Study

Spark Online Academy is a public, multi-district online and blended learning school serving Colorado Springs School District 11. Building upon community input and bright spots that some families and learners experienced with online learning, Spark Online Academy set out to create a school where all children would be safe, happy, and in love with learning. Learn how the team approached designing and launching a learner-centered, online and blended school steeped in personal connection and engaging learning experiences with real-world application.

View the full story

Related Posts
Blog
Prioritizing Educator Belonging for Successful Learner-Centered Instruction
By Dr. Jennifer Karnopp, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, San Diego State University, and Dr. Peter Bjorklund Jr., Lecturer and Research Assistant, UC San Diego Within the education landscape, it is widely agreed upon that supporting student growth and well-being is at the heart of learner-centered instruction, yet we often overlook the well-being of…
Tools
Learning Experiences BINGO card
Access actionable steps for creating personalized, competency-based, authentic, inclusive and equitable learning experiences
Blog
What Happens When You Let Learners Lead? Embark Learners Share Their Insights
This work is a collaborative effort by Learner-Centered Collaborative in partnership with Eli Yoon, 6th grade learner; Tahliiya Harris, 6th grade learner; Vida Mennell, 7th grade learner; and Carissa Solomon, Senior Lead Educator at Embark Education in Denver, CO. Two learners work to organize the contents of the Essential Manual they wrote to support…
Tools
Facilitate Empathy Interviews and Focus Groups Tool
  Our Empathy Interview and Focus Group Tool provides a comprehensive guide for conducting both one-on-one interviews and focus groups. It includes tips for building rapport, asking effective questions, and ensuring equity of voice. By using this resource, you’ll be able to uncover bright spots, key challenges, and surprising insights that can inform your…

It’s Your Journey

Explore More Topics

Blog
Unraveling Mixed Messages: The Impact of Misaligned Systems in Education
Coherence across state, district, school, and classroom levels is critical for delivering clear and consistent messages to our learners. However, systemic misalignments often lead to mixed messages that can undermine our educational objectives and the experiences of our students. The Complexity of Educational Systems In simple terms, a system consists of two or more…
Blog
Prioritizing Educator Belonging for Successful Learner-Centered Instruction
By Dr. Jennifer Karnopp, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, San Diego State University, and Dr. Peter Bjorklund Jr., Lecturer and Research Assistant, UC San Diego Within the education landscape, it is widely agreed upon that supporting student growth and well-being is at the heart of learner-centered instruction, yet we often overlook the well-being of…
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use this site, you agree with it. Privacy Policy