Member Schools
Independent School for Boys Grades 7-12
Belmont, MA
Mission Statement:
Our community encourages and challenges students to discover and pursue passions, seek excellence, and face adversity with resilience. We cultivate critical thinking and creativity, teamwork and competition, hard work and reflection, tradition and innovation. Valuing our differences and working together, we embrace camaraderie, compassion, and service to others. Our school strives to instill in each boy ethical judgment, a sense of common humanity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Greg Schneider
Head of School
“SPARC has afforded our boys a unique opportunity to learn the skills of social science research, connect with students from other schools, and work to improve our school culture. I am continually amazed by the willingness of our boys to ask great questions about how we might become even stronger as a community. It has been empowering for our SPARC students to see so many of their recommendations become reality at Belmont Hill.”
Independent School for Boys Grades K-12
New York, NY
Mission Statement:
We are committed to academic excellence and the highest standards of scholarship ensuring our boys reach their greatest potential.
Bodie Brizendine
Head of School
“SPARC at Collegiate gives students the structure and method needed to reflect on their academic and social environment. Along the way, they build research and communication skills. A recent Collegiate SPARC group studied how students experience community time; they considered scheduling, attendance, and student feedback. The process prompted students to observe their community and speak with clarity and care about what needs improvement. The cohort really enjoyed the opportunity to share its findings with peer researchers from other independent schools at the Student Roundtable.”
Independent School for Boys Grades 3-12
Toronto, ON
Mission Statement:
Crescent’s mission, Men of Character from Boys of Promise, recognizes that boys with curious minds and open hearts have the potential to develop in a manner that will fit their mission in life, whatever it might be.
Our exceptional staff of learners and leaders nurtures the intellectual, moral and social development of each of our boys; and our inclusive community of alumni, parents and friends is fully engaged supporting a diverse and rigorous learning environment.
Michael Fellin
Head of School
“SPARC has allowed our students to embark on research projects that are important to them. The alignment with our Portrait of a Grad framework is ideal as participatory action research gives the boys opportunities to answer our guiding questions of Who Am I? How do I Lead? and What is my Legacy?. As the boys engage in their school lives and do a deep dive into issues that need their perspective, they are also fostering key competencies of critical thinking, communication and collaboration. Our relationship with SPARC has elevated many boys’ lives and impact on their school community.”
A College-Preparatory Day School for Girls Grades Pre-K-12
Greenwich, CT
Mission Statement:
Greenwich Academy’s mission is to develop girls and young women of exceptional character and achievement who demonstrate independence, resilience, courage, integrity, and compassion.
Margaret Hazlett
Head of School
“Greenwich Academy is one of the earliest members of SPARC. Our student participants benefit in myriad ways. As they learn new research tools, they are empowered by taking on projects that affect them and by making concrete recommendations to faculty and administration. Additionally, students and faculty participating in SPARC develop close relationships anchored in mutual respect for each other’s choices and voices. This work enables students to get to know teachers in a different light and the ripple effect of these connections contributes to the overall warm, respectful relationships that students and faculty enjoy at Greenwich Academy.”
Episcopal School for Boys Grades 4-12
Washington, DC
Mission Statement:
St. Albans School is a grade 4 through 12, Episcopal school for boys that values character above all else, setting high expectations for its students as it challenges them to think deeply and critically, to work and play with discipline and passion, and to build relationships guided by empathy and kindness.
Jason Robinson
Head of School
“Nothing gives me more joy as a teacher than seeing students engaged in something they care about. I do not correct every stumble or write a comment about every step they take, nor do I feel any need to do that. SPARC has found a way to get students excited about learning and doing, and the fact that no grades are involved makes the whole process more meaningful. Our students feel a sense of purpose working on a project that affects their own school.”
Private, Coeducational, College-Preparatory School Grades Pre-K-12
Hopkins, MN and Minneapolis, MN
Mission Statement:
Blake engages students with a dynamic, academically challenging education in a diverse and supportive community committed to pluralism and a common set of values. Students pursue an integrated program of academic, artistic and athletic activities, preparing for college, lifelong learning and purposeful lives as community and global citizens.
Anne Stavney
Head of School
“Over the past few years, The Blake School has incorporated SPARC into a research methods course offered through the Social Studies department. Participating in an authentic conference experience beyond the school walls provides a uniquely motivating reason for students to perform at an optimal level. When asked what the SPARC roundtable experience meant to them, many students shared that they discovered a newfound appreciation for their school. One student shared, “I feel so lucky to go to a school where our teachers have such high expectations for us. I keep thinking about if the roles were reversed, and I saw a presentation where the group had obviously done extensive research while I used ChatGPT or something. I also just had so much fun bonding with my classmates.”
Private, Coeducational School Grades Pre-K-12
Bryn Mawr, PA
Mission Statement:
The Shipley School is committed to educational excellence and dedicated to developing in each student a love of learning and a compassionate participation in the world.
Steve Lisk
Interim Head of School
“SPARC gives our students the opportunity to identify issues that matter to them and then experience what it’s like to carefully, thoughtfully go about addressing them. It’s an experience unlike anything students normally have in high school.
One amazing part is watching the students as they see real data on trends that they’ve always sensed but never fully understood. They come to understand that such things can be measured, and in so doing, understood. The work they do with SPARC positions our students be effect meaningful change in all areas of their future lives.”