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
Blog
Building Community Partnerships: A Strategy for Sustaining Learner-Centered Education
  Written by Danielle Delrosario Danielle DelRosario is a Community Schools/MTSS Specialist in Escondido Union School District and member of our inaugural LC Innovator cohort, where learner-centered educators come together to share bright spots and ideas around innovative practices The current research on community partnerships in education indicates tremendous benefits for students, namely: enhanced…
Blog
One Educator’s Journey to Authentic Learning: Building Trust, Empowering Learners
Early in my teaching career, I was fortunate to have the mentorship of my grade-level team, a seasoned group of educators ready to support and collaborate on nearly everything. As I prepared to teach 8th grade US History, I shadowed my colleague’s English classroom, where  I observed some incredible literature discussions. Intrigued by the deep…
Podcasts
Episode 33: The Power of Intentionality in Learning Communities with Gregg Behr
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: Gregg Behr, Executive Director of the Grable Foundation and co-author of When You Wonder, You’re Learning, shares how Fred Rogers’ intentional and science-driven approach to children’s programming…
Tools
Learning Experiences BINGO card
Access actionable steps for creating personalized, competency-based, authentic, inclusive and equitable learning experiences

It’s Your Journey

Explore More Topics

Tools
Mindsets Reflection Tool
As we work to create learner-centered environments, examining our own water—our culture, assumptions, and beliefs—is key to cultivating the mindset shifts needed to change the water we’re swimming in. We can do this by visiting other schools implementing learner-centered practices or stepping out of our field and doing analogous experiences. The next time you…
Blog
Why Stepping Outside Your School Could Be Key to Learner-Centered Change
Culture is the foundation of any learner-centered ecosystem. The big blue outer circle, illustrated in Learner-Centered Collaborative’s Ecosystem model, is representative of a big blue body of water we are all swimming in—in our classrooms, schools, and districts. Culture is something we always feel but might not always recognize while we’re in it. We…
Blog
6 School Design Elements That Will Bring Your Learner-Centered Vision to Life
The school you walked into today does not have to be the school you walk into tomorrow. If we allow ourselves to believe this idea, so much becomes possible. We can begin imagining places of learning that adapt, evolve, and respond to the advancements of the modern world and the unique needs and aspirations…
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use this site, you agree with it. Privacy Policy