Connect
Impact

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

Guest Author
Authentic Learning

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
Podcasts
Episode 41: Reimagining Learning Through Co-Design and Agency with Allie Wong
By loading this video, you agree to the privacy policy of Youtube.Always load Youtube videos on this site.Load VideoListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsWatch on YouTubeEpisode Summary: Allie Wong, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Learner-Centered Collaborative, shares her journey from being a student in a project-based learning environment to becoming a teacher, school leader,…
Blog
From Kickflips to Critical Thinking: Designing Learning That Sticks
Learning is hard. As a middle school English teacher, I would often tell students that learning is the space between knowing and not knowing. At any age, but especially in middle school, that liminal space is a challenging place to be. Inevitably, there would come a point where we were all stuck, and no…
Podcasts
Episode 40: The Power of Joy in Learning with Dr. George Philhower
By loading this video, you agree to the privacy policy of Youtube.Always load Youtube videos on this site.Load VideoListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsWatch on YouTubeEpisode Summary: Dr. George Philhower, Superintendent of Eastern Hancock Schools in Indiana, shares his journey as an educator and leader dedicated to creating school environments where students wake up…

It’s Your Journey

Explore More Topics

Blog
Building Bridges Through Change: Leadership Lessons for Summer and Beyond
In education, the rhythm of the year is deeply cyclical. Each year forms a distinct cohort experience for learners, educators, and families alike. When the cohort concludes, there is a natural transition into the unknown. Students move to new grade levels, teachers adapt to new assignments or even new campuses, and leadership teams lay…
BlogWebinars
Webinar Recording: Learner-Centered Bright Spots: Making Learning Public and Closing the Year Strong
In this webinar, three members of the Learner-Centered Collaborative team—Katie Martin, Kate Weisberg, and Danny Scuderi—highlight practical strategies for closing the school year by celebrating learning and cultivating learner-centered mindsets. Drawing from their work in classrooms and systems nationwide, they offer tangible examples of how schools and educators can use reflection, celebration, and community-building…
Press
Learner-Centered Collaborative Announces Co-CEO Leadership Structure
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 1, 2025 Contact: Devin Vodicka, Co-CEO Learner-Centered Collaborative press@learnercentered.org Learner-Centered Collaborative Announces Appointment of Co-CEO Leadership Structure to Drive Next Phase of Impact SAN DIEGO, CA — Learner-Centered Collaborative (LCC), a leading national nonprofit committed to creating learner-centered education ecosystems, today announced the formalization of its Co-CEO leadership structure. Co-founders…
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use this site, you agree with it. Privacy Policy