The SPIRE four-legged learning stool model

• Academics – College preparatory academics delivered using an integrated, cross-curricular, project-based model culminating in the earning of a transcript for submission and acceptance to college/university.
• Passion Pursuit – Discover and or advance skills in a particular area of intense interest. Essentially – work toward living the dream.
• Career Exploration Opportunities (CEO) – Opportunities to gain understanding and working knowledge of professions delivered by experts who have worked in these field for many years.
• Personal Skill Development – Learning about the whole self, collaborating and interacting with others,  trust, respect, managing failure, etc.

Academy boarding and day students will spend approximately half the day (4-5 hours) being coached by seasoned educators as well as experienced professionals in specialty fields. These academic and business experts will share their combined knowledge, expertise and compassionate guidance. 

As students work to embrace core academic material, they will also gain valuable hands on experience in areas meant to inspire them toward possible professional paths. In addition, students will grow in their understanding of self and learn to work well with others, while achieving personal goals and gaining a better understanding of where they will fit in the world.  

The balance of a student’s day (4-5 hours) will be spent pursuing their area of personal passion (i.e. a particular sport or a field like mechatronic engineering). Included within this technical and tactical skill development training program is an integrated amount of performance training, which encompasses physical conditioning, mental skills training and nutrition/hydration guidance.

SPIRE Village consists of five 2,300 sq. ft. homes built specifically for SPIRE Academy student athletes. Each unit has six bedrooms and one house parent suite and a student lounge area. Each bedroom accommodates two twin beds, a nightstand, wardrobe, two study tables with chairs and a shared six-drawer chest. The student lounge has a big screen TV, a couch, chairs and a dining room table with chairs for house meetings. There are three student bathrooms and a washer and dryer.

Contact us via the chat widget on the right side of the page or by emailing [email protected]

At SPIRE, we believe that the college planning and placement process is one of the most important aspects of Academy life—and you can’t start this process too early! 

Our college planning process begins Freshman year and only concludes when a student has graduated from college or chosen and achieved their goals on a different path.  

SPIRE works with student athletes to find a university that is a good fit, academically, athletically, and socially.  They will be taught how to search for Colleges and Universities with their intended major as well as their desired sport using the guidance of their coaches, teachers and advisors.  This includes how to communicate with schools and coaches, fill out the Common Application and other applications, including filing FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

SPIRE offers a limited amount of financial aid. Recipients are selected based on academics, athletics, character and financial review. For more information, please reference our admissions page.

Click here to find all resources related to living on the SPIRE Campus.

Yes!

SPIRE looks at each student individually to determine if they would be a good fit.  The admission process includes submitting an official transcript, letters of recommendation from an English teacher, math teacher, and principal or coach, an interview with the coach and Director of Admission (either virtual or in-person) and a completed application.  Each applicant is reviewed by the admission committee which is composed of administrators, teachers, and coaches to determine if the student meets SPIRE’s admission requirements.

SPIRE accepts athletes of varying ability, but they all have one thing in common.  They come to SPIRE because they have the heart and desire to become better student athletes.  SPIRE student athletes come from various competitive backgrounds and all have different goals they want to achieve while here and beyond, whether it is to continue their sport after high school or beyond.

SPIRE offers financial assistance for families who qualify.  Families must complete the Parent’s Financial Statement (PFS) through the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) which can be found at https://sssbynais.force.com/familyportal/familylogin.  

SPIRE has a limited number of merit scholarships available for student athletes.  These are rewarded based on ability and character.

Please contact our Director of Admission, Lindsey Ahrens at [email protected] or 440-466-1002 x 201

SPIRE works on rolling admission, meaning we accept applications until spaces are filled. Applications start to be accepted in January for the following September. Merit scholarships and financial aid are awarded on a first come first serve basis.

No, a post graduate year does not affect NCAA eligibility.