• Student: The most important piece of an ELO! Remember, an ELO is student-driven! • ELO Coordinator: Facilitates the ELO process, and co-leads assessment. • Mentor-Teacher: Provides mentorship and coaching for many ELO students, helps establish content-specific competencies, and co-leads assessments. • Community Partner: Provides mentorship and oversight at the worksite and connection into the community. Sometimes the community partner assists with student assessments.

ELOs can occur before, during, and after the school day, and they can happen at any point in the year (even in summer!). Students regularly meet with a mentor teacher, the ELO Coordinator, and sometimes a community partner to assess progress. ELOs vary in duration but are not constrained by the typical timing of the school year.

With ELOs, you, the student, are in charge of your learning. You can design (in conjunction with teachers and Community Partners) how you want to learn, and then complete your course of study in a way that feels right for you. According to a report published by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, “ELOs have been linked to better attitudes toward school, higher educational aspirations, and improved school attendance”.

Spark’s ELO program is new, so our first ELOs are just beginning. Follow this link to Beyond Classrom’s website to see examples from schools across New Hampshire.

Complete an ELO Request Form, a place to record your thoughts and brainstorm ideas around a specific topic. Once completed, you’ll meet with our ELO Coordinator to present your idea. You may set up a meeting with him via email.

Contact our ELO Coordinator at elo@sparkacademynh.org

All Spark students can and are encouraged to participate in Extended Learning Opportunities. We would love to see you complete an ELO, regardless of your interests or academic standing.

We currently have a robotics team and a drone team, which meet after school; and Student Council, Creative Club, Yearbook, and D&D which meet on Exploration Wednesdays. Clubs are student-created and student-led, and must be approved by Student Council and school administration. Students may participate in sports teams that are run by their sending high school. Students are responsible for getting their own transportation to after-school practices and games, and for arranging early departure from Spark (if necessary) with school administration.

Spark Academy is an open enrollment high school for grades 9-12. Any high school student who officially resides in the state of New Hampshire is eligible for admission. However, our program is unlike that of a typical high school and it's important that prospective students understand it thoroughly by attending Information Nights, shadow days, and individual pre-enrollment meetings. Our program is not for everyone and we want our students to be successful!

Spark Academy seeks to empower students with opportunities to master technical skills, both practical and theoretical, in the context of a high school and early college program that emphasizes the dignity and value of work. Students will discover an appreciation for the power of the sciences combined with an understanding of humanities. They will develop into innovative problem-solvers, ready to enter technical careers in the workforce upon graduation or through further study.

Charter schools are public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. Charter schools are independent, tuition-free to in-state students and are highly accountable. Charter schools are operated in accordance to a specific mission or "charter". The "charter" establishing each school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. As of March 2019, there are 28 public charter schools operating in New Hampshire. Together these public schools serve over 3,800 families. New Hampshire charter schools offer New Hampshire students a diverse range of mission and program options to choose from. Charter schools allow children and their families an opportunity to find the public education option that best serves their needs and interests. According to U.S. News and World Report (2015), there are now more than 6,500 chartered public schools operating in the United States.

Our school day for first and second year students consists of four 90-minute blocks: Technology, Math, Science, and Humanities. In the third year, we expect many of our students' schedules to shift in order to accommodate college level classes. Wednesdays are Exploration Days and consist of a variety of student-enrichment and career exploration opportunities.

Class size never exceeds 15, as this is the maximum number of students per cohort. Cohorts go through the school day as a group, which encourages cohesiveness and bonding. The cohort model has always been a key feature of Spark Academy.

Both of these can be taken for dual credit. Students may earn tangible skills and graduate high school with a certificate or a good start towards an associate degree.

Spark Academy’s curriculum and schedule plan elements were specifically designed with the active learner in mind. Students will cultivate knowledge in workshops and projects involving robotics, machining, laser-cutting, 3D printing, CAD, and other tools. Our rigorous program also involves theoretical learning and requires persistence, hard work, and motivation!

After year two, all Early College courses offered by Manchester Community College will be available for the Spark students. However, Spark Academy will focus on the technologies such as Advanced Manufacturing, Robotics, Mechatronics, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Welding, HVAC, etc.

Spark Academy is located on the Manchester Community College campus in Manchester, NH and directly benefits from MCC’s Running Start, Early College, and other programs. Our students have the opportunity to participate in community service projects and a variety of other enrichments made available to us through the cooperative relationship we enjoy with MCC.

Spark Academy is a tuition-free public high school. Students taking Early College electives with MCC may be charged at a reduced rate.

Students who reside in Manchester may take the school bus. There is also a MTA bus route to the MCC campus, which high school students are entitled to ride for free. Parents are responsible for ensuring their student is comfortable with transfers and city bus schedules.

DB- Annual Budget DBC - Budget Preparation DBI - Budget Implementation DBJ - Transfer of Appropriation DGD - School Credit Cards DIE - Audits DIH - Fraud Prevention and Fiscal Management DKC - Expense Reimbursements DZA - Capital Assets DZB - Debt DZC - Operating Reserve

KE - Public Complaints

BAA - Evaluation of the Board BBA - School Board Powers and Duties BBAA - Board Member Authority BBBD - Board Member Removal from Office BBBG - Faculty Members of the School Board BCA - School Board Member Ethics BCB - Board Member Conflict of Interest BEA - Regular Board Meetings BEAA - Board Meeting Preparation BEC - Non-Public Session BEDB - Agenda BEDH - Public Participation at Board Meetings BG - Board Policy Process and Adoption BIE - Board Member Indemnification

EB - Safety Program EHB - Data / Records Retention

IMAH - Daily Physical Activity

TBD - Political Contributions TBD - Record Retention TBD - Government Furnished Property and Equipment

JICG - Tobacco Products Ban Use and Possession In and On School Facilities and Grounds JLDBB - Suicide Prevention Policy JLP - Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect JZB - Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention

We offer financial scholarships to assist families with the cost of college level courses.

22 Students

Year One Students (Freshmen): 29 Year Two Students (Sophomores): 26 Year Three students (Juniors): 11 Year Four Students (Seniors): 20

Robotic Design Introduction to Engineering Design & Solid Modeling (CAD) Electrical Fundamentals for Manufacturing Motor Controls & PLC’s for Manufacturing

Current MCC pathways explored by our students include: AMT* (Advanced Manufacturing) Cyber Security HVAC Graphic Design *Third year students may select an alternate MCC pathway if they choose not to remain on the AMT track.

Running Start Early College

We offer small classes and groups to foster strong peer relationships and enable social skills learning.

Most of our classes are accelerated, with one semester covering a full year of material.

Our school day consists of four 90-minute classes: Technology Science Math Humanities

Spark Academy students are eligible for internship opportunities with the following companies: DEKA Summit Packaging Jewel Instruments

Communication Release Form COVID-19 Home Daily Screening Form

Student Safety Facility Form Parent Permission to Dispense Medication Form Emergency Information Form

Please start here: Your Checklist for Registration & Enrollment at Spark Spark Academy Registration Form Transcripts and Record Release Form Residency Affidavit (Notarization Required) Vaccination Exemption Form

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