From Reflection to Resilience: Closing Session One with Purpose

spark studio

As Session 1 of the 2025–2026 School Year Comes to a Close
Our Spark learners took a moment to reflect—not just on what they’ve done, but on how we do things in Spark. In true Spark fashion, they were invited to share their insights, wisdom, and favorite takeaways from the past weeks. What emerged was a beautiful mosaic of voice, growth, and ownership.

Here’s what they want their families to know:

Serious business – Felicia
Writing sentences – Mecca
We put things back where they belong – Rowan D
Read books quietly – Sammy
Keeping promises – Claira
Superpower – eye contact
Stay safe – Aria
Grown-up exhibition – Ezra
Be nice to others – Aspen, Rowan T, Wynnie
We take care of our things – Kendrick, Mecca
Eat lunch quietly – Mia B
We are respectful – Alyse
Work quietly – Mia B
Be proactive – Elliott
To spell my name – Boden
Dancing goat typing – Safi
There’s a lot of work you can do often. Hard work – Ezra
Challenging yourself is when you learn; you have the chance every day – Abel

Each phrase, though simple, reflects something deeper: responsibility, courage, community, and care. These aren’t just classroom rules—they are reflections of values being internalized through experience.

We were honored to welcome families to our Grown-Up Exhibition, where our learners prepared the Studio. We hope you walked away with a clearer picture of what a day in the life of Spark looks like—from quiet reading corners to thoughtful conversations and, of course, dancing goat typing.

This session was more than academics. It was a beautifully human journey. We’ve been asking big questions:
How is the world changing, and how can I grow myself up in it?

At Spark, we slow down to grow with intention. We believe developing emotionally, socially, and mentally takes time—and that every interaction is a chance to learn how to be a good human being.

So as you head into break, take with you the stars earned through kindness, the promises kept through responsibility, and the pencils that remind us: even ordinary things can lead to extraordinary growth.

Thank you for walking alongside us this session. We can’t wait to dive deeper when we return.
Until then, enjoy your beautiful break.

If you didn't get a chance to yesterday, please take 1 minute to complete this super short survey about Parent Ed Night.

lower elementary studio

This week has been spent reflecting upon, learning from, and celebrating our first Exhibition of the school year.
Our fearless squads worked as collaboration coaches, walking friends and family through exercises meant to unlock the skills of being a valued team member—all while having a lot of great fun (and maybe sticking our hands into slime).

We received your feedback and discussed our own take on our superhero (super teammate) qualities and learned that we shine as a Studio in creativity, courage, and celebration.

We even held a Reflection Relay (thank you, Ms. McKenna!) where learners raced to share what they’ve learned from this session. We ended that time with a dramatic rematch of Ms. McKenna and Ms. Brooke’s crabwalk race—where both competitive Guides gave their all and maybe both rolled to the finish line in an effort to reach the reflection question first!

It’s been a fantastic first session, and we can’t wait to see everyone after the break!

Please remember that this Friday before our break is virtual.
We are including a suggested schedule for that time here:
2025–2026 Session 1 Virtual Work Plan

upper elementary studio

Our First Last Week of School
This week in Upper Elementary, we focused on preparing for our big Exhibition on Tuesday night.

Exhibition

A huge thank-you to all the parents, caregivers, and friends who attended the Elementary Exhibition! In Upper, learners led the way, teaching guests about their guilds. Visitors learned about the origin of guilds, each guild’s purpose, plans to improve the Studio for the year, and how their work supports human flourishing.

Guests then completed challenges tied to each guild to earn “stickman bucks,” which could be spent in a store run by our Entrepreneur Guild. The activities included:

Arte di Giudici (Judges/Lawyers): Overseeing a mock Studio trial where a learner was “caught” breaking our non-negotiable of no gossiping.
Arte di Fissatore (Fixers): Using tools to fix wobbly stools in under a minute.
Arte di Cambio (Bankers): Answering questions on an online quiz platform.
Arte di Culina (Kitchen Workers): Solving riddles about kitchen items.
Arte di Artiste (Artists): Answering questions about art supplies.
Arte di Imprenditore (Entrepreneurs): Selling items for stickman bucks.
Arte di Auditores (Helpers): Playing a round of “Guildmaster Says.”

Special congratulations to Elin, who introduced the Exhibition with an enthusiastic, self-written introduction. Elin also received the “Learning to Live Together” award for her many contributions to the Studio, including creating a library system, organizing Studio maintenance, and establishing a Helper Guild to support peers during Core Skills.

Other News

Social-Emotional Learning: Mr. K led Launches this week focused on culture and conflict resolution.
Reflection Day: On Wednesday, learners spent time reflecting on themselves, each other, parent feedback, and their goals for future Exhibitions.
Civ: Hadrian wrapped up a Launch on Constantine, Charlemagne, and the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire. Learners completed a Story of the World written response to demonstrate their understanding.

Break

We hope everyone enjoys the holiday! Optional activities have been shared for this Friday’s virtual day and can be completed anytime over the week.

Special Note: Calvin will take our geckos, Pixel and Vader, home for the week. We’ll need a different learner to take them during future breaks.

Have a great week and stay awesome!

middle school studio

A Week of Creativity, Competition, and Reflection in Middle School
This week in Middle School was packed with creativity, courage, and collaboration—three things our Heroes know well. From pitching television shows to baking battles and meaningful reflection, each day offered a chance to grow and shine.

Tuesday: Pitching to an Industry Expert

On Tuesday, our Heroes had the rare opportunity to meet with Jeffrey Stepakoff, a celebrated television writer, producer, and educator. In true Hollywood style, Heroes pitched their original television series ideas, showcasing characters, plot twists, and big-picture vision. Jeffrey not only listened with genuine interest but also provided real-world feedback—encouraging Heroes to lean into their unique voices and sharpen their storytelling skills.

It was an empowering moment to see learners take risks, think like creators, and receive professional guidance and inspiration on the spot.

Wednesday: Bake Lab Battle Exhibition

Wednesday brought the sweet smell of innovation to the air during our Bake Lab Battle Exhibition. After weeks of experimenting in the kitchen, Heroes showcased their best gluten-free and dairy-free recipes.

The stakes were high: each team presented their creations to a local cake manager who served as judge and mentor. From creative flavors to presentation style, Heroes impressed with both skill and teamwork. This wasn’t just about baking—it was about tackling real-world challenges like allergen-friendly cooking and learning how science, creativity, and collaboration combine to create something truly delicious.

Thursday: Reflecting on Victories and Challenges

The week ended with a day of reflection. Heroes read through detailed survey results from Exhibition, highlighting where their Quest Teams succeeded and where they faced challenges. Each learner had the chance to reflect not only on their own contributions but also on the shared victories of their team.

By giving one another feedback—honest, thoughtful, and constructive—they took an important step in becoming stronger collaborators and leaders. Reflection is never easy, but it’s where much of the real growth happens.

Looking Ahead

This week reminded us of the power of blending creativity with courage, and reflection with resilience. Whether pitching bold new stories, baking in a time crunch, or looking inward to grow stronger together, our Heroes continue to show us what self-directed learning looks like in action.

We can’t wait to see what they’ll create and share next!

high school studio

Finishing Strong, Building Forward
What an amazing week to wrap up this session! Our Heroes truly finished Quest with a bang—bringing their financial literacy projects to life in ways that were both creative and inspiring. From engaging expert visits to an incredible Exhibition night, they showcased everything they’ve learned and poured so much heart into their work. It was an evening full of energy, curiosity, and pride!

The momentum didn’t stop there. Badges have been flying in left and right as Heroes push themselves to meet goals and demonstrate mastery. Each submission represents hard work and perseverance, and it’s exciting to see so many Heroes taking ownership of their progress.

This week also marked an important step in setting the tone for the year ahead. Every Hero had their initial check-in, laying out personalized plans and big-picture goals. These conversations help guide their journey and ensure each Hero starts strong.

We also came together as a Studio for a Town Hall meeting, beginning the work of shaping our Studio Contract and addressing concerns early. It’s incredible to watch our Heroes lean into honest conversations and take responsibility for building the culture they want to be part of.

What a way to close out the session!
Wishing everyone a restful and joyful break—you’ve earned it. We can’t wait to see what amazing things the next chapter brings!

Session 1: Year 8, WeeK 4 In Review