A week of learning, leadership, and holiday joy across every Studio

spark studio

This week in Spark has been nothing short of extraordinary!
We traveled the world—starting with New York, Ohio, California, Boston, Chicago, and Texas, and then journeying across Colombia, Venezuela, several European countries, South Korea, and regions across Africa. Along the way, learners explored foods, climates, cultures, music, customs, family traditions, languages, and personal experiences that filled our Studio with richness, curiosity, and deep learning.

Delicious foods were shared, and we danced to rhythms from all around the globe. Music, food, and culture remind us how naturally they bring people together; while we may see many differences, we also discover just how much we have in common.

Alongside this cultural journey, learners researched countries across their continent, drew maps, gathered facts, and studied various regions.

Character development remained at the heart of our work.
Care for the environment, self, and others is a core Spark value. While reviewing our Studio budget this week, we realized that replacing broken materials takes a significant portion of our funds. This sparked thoughtful conversations about responsibility, stewardship, and how our actions impact our shared resources. Integrating math into real-life situations not only strengthens financial literacy—it helps learners see the meaningful ways everyday choices affect the world around them.

As we gear up for Exhibition and our final days before winter break, we have a few important announcements:

Spark Exhibition – Thursday, December 18th at 8:30 AM
We will be hosting a Families Without Borders breakfast, and we’d love family participation in providing a variety of delicious treats to share. Please sign up using the link provided: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C45A4A62CAAF49-61207349-families
Spark Gift Exchange
Learners will continue celebrating during the day with a fun and meaningful gift exchange. Please refer to the general exchange guidelines in the link: White Elephant Gift Exchange Rules (with Fun Variations!) — White Elephant Online. For Spark, we ask that you do not purchase anything. Instead, allow your hero to choose something they already own and are willing to part with—a toy, book, object, sweet, or something silly. Learners should wrap the gift themselves and bring it unlabeled on the day of Exhibition.

Thank you to all our amazing families for your continuous support. We cannot wait to break bread, dance, and celebrate together next week!

lower elementary studio

This week in Lower Elementary, we focused on strengthening our community and empowering heroes to lead while kindly holding one another accountable. One morning launch included a privilege line activity that helped heroes learn more about each other and reflect on shared experiences. They enjoyed it so much that they asked to do it again.

During Quest, heroes also explored how paint is made through a hands-on art experience. They mixed colorful powdered pigments into white paint to create new shades and experiment with color blending. It was a joyful, messy, and highly engaging moment for everyone.

Much of the week was also dedicated to preparing for Exhibition on Tuesday at 3:45 PM. Heroes will remain on campus after school to set up and will not need to be picked up at regular carpool.

This Session’s Exhibition centers on the theme Dream Teams. Throughout the week, we have discussed how to thoughtfully choose Dream Team members—people who have the experience, resources, and connections to support their goals, and most importantly, the capacity to show up for them.

During Exhibition, heroes will share highlights from their unique Hero’s Journey, present their Hero’s Journey maps, discuss their Dream Teams, and provide an update on their badge plan progress.

Lower Elementary Holiday Party – Thursday, December 18
A quick reminder that our Learner Led Holiday Party is this Thursday, December 18! Learners have created a sign-up list and volunteered to bring items (please check directly with your learner to see if you have been volunteered to bring something). Learners will also participate in a holiday gift exchange; please bring one wrapped gift suitable for any learner to receive ($10 maximum) in our gift exchange game. Please do not write a name on the gift!

We look forward to seeing you there!

upper elementary studio

Dream Teams, Big Wins, and Bold Creativity

This week was full of momentum as learners continued assembling their Dream Teams for Quest and prepared for their upcoming Exhibition. Everyone finalized their Superpower Cards and began practicing how to facilitate Dream Team discussions—an important skill for presenting confidently and collaborating effectively.

We also introduced “Life Cards,” scenario-based questions representing real-world challenges that Dream Team members might need to help with. Learners took turns responding, practicing how to explain their thinking clearly while supporting others.

Dream Team Scorecard Success
Our new Dream Team scorecard is officially up and running! The goal:

Each learner secures at least one Dream Team member outside their family and friend circle.

And this week brought some huge celebration moments.

Learners made bold outreach attempts—and were rewarded with enthusiastic “yes!” responses from an impressive lineup of mentors, including:

Actors and actresses
A glass engineer
A famous author and NPR podcaster
College basketball players
Designers
A lifeguard
Someone who works with NASA

Many learners were nervous to reach out at first, but the excitement after getting replies has been contagious. Our Studio clapped, cheered, and celebrated every new connection.

Literary Collaboration & Creative Wins
This week, learners also stepped into the role of beta readers for Hadrian’s upcoming book The Boy Who Heard the World. Using our writing group structure—Loves, Big Changes, Small Changes—they offered thoughtful, insightful feedback. Their comments not only helped strengthen the story but also showed they are building their understanding of narrative craft.

Meanwhile, a small creative team has begun developing an original story for a future performance. After auditioning with a piece of dialogic writing, Calvin, Autumn, and Ana won the opportunity to lead the project. Their collaboration is already off to a strong start.

Leadership Comics Near Completion
Learners wrapped up their comic books about leadership qualities this week. We’re exploring options for publishing—digital may be the most cost-effective route, but the work is impressive enough to merit a special showcase.

Analysis Modality
Over the past few days, learners have been focusing on building the skill of analysis. We launched this work by examining graphics and data, practicing how to identify “What I know is true…” based strictly on the information shown. Learners learned to avoid assumptions and instead ground every statement in evidence.

We continued strengthening this skill in Civ by analyzing secondary sources that described what might have happened in South America during the Middle Ages. To evaluate each source, learners used three guiding questions:

Who said it?
How do they know?
What do they want?

These questions helped them uncover author perspectives, potential biases, and whether the writer had access to strong primary sources. Learners then ranked the sources by reliability, justifying their decisions with clear reasoning and evidence.

Overall, learners made impressive progress applying analytical thinking to real historical questions. They practiced grounding conclusions in evidence, recognizing reliable vs. unreliable sources, and articulating clear reasoning. These skills will carry forward into upcoming projects, helping them become thoughtful, critical readers of the world around them.

middle school studio

Purpose, Genius Hour, Exhibitions & Holiday Fun!

This week in Middle School has been full of big questions, deep thinking, and community-building as our heroes continue to explore who they are and who they want to become.

We kicked things off by welcoming two awesome guest experts. One day, an economic gardener joined us to talk about how communities grow when people invest in relationships, networks, and collaboration. Another day, a Chick-fil-A representative shared about purpose, calling, and what it looks like to live out your values in your everyday work. Through both visits, heroes reflected on social capital—who they know, how they show up in those relationships, and how that connects to their future dreams.

We also hosted a special Genius Hour with Dr. Tyler. Instead of typing on laptops, heroes went a little “old school” and wrote in blue books, analyzing information and organizing their thinking by hand. It was a great opportunity to slow down, focus, and practice clear, thoughtful written responses—just like in college seminar-style classes.

Upcoming Exhibition: Off-Campus Dream Team Meetings
Next Wednesday, our Middle School Exhibition will be hosted off campus, and 100% of our heroes will be participating. This Exhibition is a celebration of Dream Teams and Passion Projects, and heroes will be meeting with their Dream Teams to share progress, reflections, and next steps.

Please see the Exhibition email for the exact address and full details about timing and logistics. We’re so excited for families and Dream Team members to see just how much thinking and growth has been happening behind the scenes.

Middle School Holiday Party – Thursday, December 18
A quick reminder that our Middle School Holiday Party is this Thursday, December 18! Heroes have already drawn names for Secret Santa (max $15), and gift assignments were emailed directly to them—wishlists are also available on the Secret Santa site.

If you’d like to contribute food or snacks for the party, you can sign up using the link we shared via email. We’re looking forward to a fun, relaxed celebration to close out the calendar year together.

high school studio

Hero Highlights: Adventures in Civilization, Pirates, and Holiday Fun!

What a week it has been in the Hero Academy! Our heroes have officially wrapped up our exciting exploration of civilizations and set sail into the adventurous world of pirates. From the rise and fall of ancient empires to the swashbuckling stories of high-seas explorers, heroes have been diving into history, asking questions, and connecting these lessons to our world today. The curiosity and creativity in the room have been inspiring—our heroes have not only absorbed facts but also considered the larger impacts of culture, trade, and leadership across time.

But it wasn’t all about history! This week, we dedicated plenty of time to core skills, reinforcing the foundation that helps heroes tackle any challenge. Many heroes engaged in focused practice, applied problem-solving strategies, and strengthened their learning habits. Our check-ins were another highlight, providing heroes with the chance to reflect on their progress, clarify goals, and make actionable plans before the Session ends. It’s incredible to see how each hero is growing in responsibility and self-direction!

Upcoming Adventures & Important Dates:

Math Exam – December 18th, 9:00–10:00 AM:
Heroes, the countdown is on! Make sure to mark your calendars and arrive on time. This is your opportunity to show off all the hard work and dedication you’ve been putting into your math skills. Remember: preparation now means confidence on exam day!
Practicals – Every Wednesday and Friday:
Our hands-on practicals continue as scheduled. These sessions are critical for applying what you’ve learned in real-world or experimental settings. Attendance is key—don’t miss out on these valuable experiences!
Reflection & Holiday Celebration – Next Thursday:
This day promises to be special. We will have a reflection session, giving heroes the chance to think critically about their learning journey, set goals for the next Session, and celebrate the progress they’ve made. But that’s not all—our holiday party will follow! A team of heroic volunteers has taken on the task of organizing this festive event. Expect lots of fun, including team-building games, holiday-themed activities, and a White Elephant gift exchange (remember the $20 limit!). Heroes are encouraged to come in holiday jammies, and don’t forget a coat—it will be chilly outside, but the warmth of camaraderie and celebration will more than make up for it!

This week, our heroes have not only expanded their knowledge but also practiced essential skills: goal-setting, teamwork, and personal responsibility. As we move into reflection and celebration, it’s important to acknowledge the effort, creativity, and growth that each hero brings to our learning community.

Let’s finish the Session strong, heroes! Keep showing up, stay engaged, and get ready to celebrate all your accomplishments—both big and small. There’s a lot to look forward to, and we can’t wait to see everyone thriving, learning, and having fun together!

Session 4: Year 8, WeeK 16 In Review