SPIRE Institute & Academy

Deep-dive and commentary on programming

• Academics

  Academics Summary: [Hide summary]

  • Curriculum: Progressive
    • Mathematics: Traditional Math
    • Science: Equal Balance
    • Literature: Equal Balance
    • Humanities and Social Sciences : Equal Balance
    • Foreign Languages: Equal Balance
    • Fine Arts: Equal Balance
    • Computers and Technology: Medium integration
    • Physical Education:
    • Advanced Placement courses: 1 courses
    • Sex and health education:
  • Curriculum Pace: Standard-enriched
  • Academic Culture: Supportive
  • Developmental priorities: Balanced
  • Special needs support: Indirect Support
  • Gifted learner support: In-class adaptations
  • Language: English
  • Homework Policy:
  • Report Card Policy:

  
  

  • Curriculum Progressive
    [Show definition of Curriculum]

    Central to your child's school experience is the underlying curriculum taught in the classroom. "Curriculum" refers to both what is taught and how it's taught. When considering the different curricula outlined in the next few pages, keep in mind that few schools fall neatly into one category or another. Most schools' curricula comprise a blend of best practices drawn from multiple curriculum types. Having said that, most schools do have a general overall curriculum type. These are identified for each school on OurKids.net.

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    Curriculum approach at Spire Institute & Academy: Progressive

    Spire Institute & Academy has a Progressive approach to Curriculum (as opposed to Traditional, Liberal Arts, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf approach).

    [Show: About Progressive?]

    Progressive (sometimes called "in- quiry-based") curricula attempt to place children's interests and ideas at the heart of the learning experience. Instead of lessons being driven by predetermined pathways, progressive curricula are often "emergent", with learning activities shaped by students' questions about the world. Instead of starting with academic concepts and then tying it to everyday experience, progressive methods begin with everyday experience and work back to an academic lesson. Teachers provide materials, experiences, tools and resources to help students investigate a topic or issue. Students are encouraged to explore, reflect on their findings, and discuss answers or solutions.

    Curriculum at schools on OurKids.net

      Progressive - 17%
      Traditional - 15%
      Liberal arts - 17%
      Montessori - 17%
      Reggio Emilia - 17%
      Waldorf - 17%
    

    What Spire Institute & Academy says: 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.

    Approach:

    Focus
    Sports: Basketball • Lacrosse • Swimming • Track & Field

    Pedagogies and subject courses:

    • Mathematics Traditional Math
      Mathematics approach at Spire Institute & Academy: Traditional Math

      Spire Institute & Academy has a Traditional Math approach to Mathematics (as opposed to Discovery Math , Equal Balance approach).

      [Show: About Traditional Math?]

      Traditional Math typically teaches a method or algorithm FIRST, and THEN teaches the applications for the method. Traditional algorithms are emphasized and practiced regularly: repetition and drills are frequently used to ensure foundational mastery in the underlying mathematical procedures. The traditional approach to math views math education as akin to building a logical edifice: each brick depends on the support of the previously laid ones, which represent mastery over a particular procedure or method. Traditional Math begins by giving students a tool, and then challenges students to practice using that tool an applied way, with progressively challenging problems. In this sense Traditional Math aims to establish procedural understanding before conceptual and applied understanding.

      Mathematics at schools on OurKids.net

        Traditional math - 30%
        Discovery math - 5%
        Equal balance - 65%
      

      What Spire Institute & Academy says: This information is not currently available.

      Textbooks and supplementary materials: This information is not currently available.

      Calculator policy: This information is not currently available.

    • Science Equal Balance
      Science approach at Spire Institute & Academy: Equal Balance

      Spire Institute & Academy has an Equal Balance approach to Science (as opposed to Expository , Inquiry approach).

      [Show: About Equal Balance?]

      Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.

      Science at schools on OurKids.net

        Equal balance - 71%
        Expository - 6%
        Inquiry - 23%
      

      Teaching approach: This information is not currently available.

      Treatment of evolution:

      Subject	offered
      Evolution as consensus theory
      Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
      Evolution is not taught

      Topics covered in curriculum:

      Subject	offered
      Biology
      Chemistry
      Ecology
      Geology
      Meteorology
      Physics
      Physiology
      Zoology

    • Literature Equal Balance
      Literature approach at Spire Institute & Academy: Equal Balance

      Spire Institute & Academy has an Equal Balance approach to Literature (as opposed to Traditional , Social Justice approach).

      [Show: About Equal Balance?]

      These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.

      Literature at schools on OurKids.net

        Equal balance - 77%
        Traditional - 20%
        Social justice - 3%
      

      What Spire Institute & Academy says: This information is not currently available.

    • Humanities and Social Sciences Equal Balance
      Humanities and Social Sciences approach at Spire Institute & Academy: Equal Balance

      Spire Institute & Academy has an Equal Balance approach to Humanities and Social Sciences (as opposed to Perennialism , Pragmatism approach).

      [Show: About Equal Balance?]

      These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.

      Humanities and Social Sciences at schools on OurKids.net

        Equal balance - 82%
        Perennialism - 8%
        Pragmatism - 10%
      

      What Spire Institute & Academy says: This information is not currently available.

    • Foreign Languages Equal Balance
      Foreign Languages approach at Spire Institute & Academy: Equal Balance

      Spire Institute & Academy has an Equal Balance approach to Foreign Languages (as opposed to Audio-Lingual , Communicative approach).

      [Show: About Equal Balance?]

      These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.

      Foreign Languages at schools on OurKids.net

        Equal balance - 66%
        Audio-lingual - 2%
        Communicative - 32%
      

      What Spire Institute & Academy says: This information is not currently available.

    • Fine Arts Equal Balance
      Fine Arts approach at Spire Institute & Academy: Equal Balance

      Spire Institute & Academy has an Equal Balance approach to Fine Arts (as opposed to Receptive , Creative approach).

      [Show: About Equal Balance?]

      These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.

      Fine Arts at schools on OurKids.net

        Equal balance - 61%
        Receptive - 2%
        Creative - 37%
      

      Program offers:

      Subject	offered
      Acting
      Dance
      Drama/Theatre
      Graphic Design
      Music
      Visual Arts

      Visual studio philosophy:

      Expressive
      Disciplined

      What Spire Institute & Academy says: This information is not currently available.

    • Computers and Technology Medium integration
      Computers and Technology approach at Spire Institute & Academy: Medium integration

      Spire Institute & Academy has a Medium integration approach to Computers and Technology (as opposed to Light integration , Heavy integration approach).

      [Show: About Medium integration?]

      Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.

      Computers and Technology at schools on OurKids.net

        Medium integration - 47%
        Light integration - 20%
        Heavy integration - 33%
      

      What Spire Institute & Academy says: This information is not currently available.

      Program covers:

      Subject	offered
      Computer science
      Robotics
      Web design

    • Physical Education

      What Spire Institute & Academy says: This information is not currently available.

    • Advanced Placement courses 1 courses
      AP English Literature and Composition
    • Sex and health education

      What Spire Institute & Academy says: This information is not currently available.

    
    

    Jump to:

    • Mathematics

    • Science

    • Literature

    • Humanities and Social Sciences

    • Foreign Languages

    • Fine Arts

    • Computers and Technology

    • Physical Education

    • Advanced Placement courses

    • Sex and health education
  • Curriculum Pace Standard-enriched
    [Show definition of Curriculum Pace]

    This refers to the rate at which students move through the curriculum (e.g., topics, textbook material, skills, etc.). Curriculum pace is often defined in comparison to provincial standards.

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    Curriculum Pace approach at Spire Institute & Academy: Standard-enriched

    Spire Institute & Academy has a Standard-enriched approach to Curriculum Pace (as opposed to Accelerated, Student-paced approach).

    [Show: About Standard-enriched?]

    Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.

    Curriculum Pace at schools on OurKids.net

      Standard-enriched - 58%
      Accelerated - 18%
      Student-paced - 24%
    

    What Spire Institute & Academy says: This information is not currently available.

    Flexible pacing style

    Flexible pacing style	offered
    Subject-streaming (tracking)
    Multi-age classrooms as standard
    Ability-grouping (in-class) as common
    Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace)
    Regular guided independent study opportunities
    Differentiated assessment

    What Spire Institute & Academy says about flexible pacing: This information is not currently available.

  • Academic Culture Supportive
    [Show definition of Academic Culture]

    Through the collective mindset of teachers, administrators, students, and parents, each school develops and maintains its own academic culture. This generally relates to the norms and expectations created around academic performance. Many parents look to private schools because they want a specific type of culture. Some want a rigorous environment that will elevate their child to new heights. Others want a nurturing environment that will help their child develop a passion for learning.

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    Academic Culture approach at Spire Institute & Academy: Supportive

    Spire Institute & Academy has a Supportive approach to Academic Culture (as opposed to Rigorous approach).

    [Show: About Supportive?]

    A school with a “supportive” academic culture focuses more on process than short-term outcomes: academic performance is a welcomed side-benefit, but not the driving focus. This does not mean the school lacks standards, or has low expectations for its students: a school can have a supportive academic culture and still light the fire of ambition in its students. It does mean, however, the school provides a less intensive culture than schools with a “rigorous” academic classification, and is focused more simply on instilling a love of learning and life-long curiosity.

    Academic Culture at schools on OurKids.net

      Supportive - 50%
      Rigorous - 50%
    

    What Spire Institute & Academy says: This information is not currently available.

  • Developmental priorities Balanced
    [Show definition of Developmental priorities]

    Schools have specific goals regarding how they want their educate and develop their students. This is part of a school's overall philosophy or vision, which is contained in its mission statement. While they tend have several developmental aims, schools tend to priortize certain aims, such as intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional, or physical development.

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    Primary Developmental Priority: Balanced

    "Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation."

    Secondary Developmental Priority: Physical

    The goal is to cultivate "strong, ?exible - bodied and active individuals, in tune with the joys of movement, sport and wellness."

    What Spire Institute & Academy says: The Academy is designed to facilitate knowledge acquisition in academic, personal growth, passion interests and profession interests, which are all of equal value to each student. Its educational delivery model is built on the foundation that with the abundance of knowledge available through technology, the old, unfortunate silo approach to learning…and the essential levels of motivation demonstrated by high school, college and young professionals today…indicate that a major learning re-direct is necessary.

  • Special needs support Indirect Support
    [Show definition of Special needs support]

    Schools offer a wide range of approaches and services to support students with special needs. This may include individualized learning, one-on-one support, small classes, resource rooms, and learning aids. These supports may be provided in a number of different environments such as a dedicated special needs school or class, an integrated class, a withdrawal class, or a regular class with resource support or in-class adaptations.

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    Spire Institute & Academy offers Indirect Support

    Students remain in a regular classroom for the whole day; the teacher receives special training in accommodating special needs and/or learning disabled students.

    What Spire Institute & Academy says about their special need support: Teachers are able to differentiate the lesson plans at SPIRE to meet the learners where they are take them to the what's next due to the small class sizes. We are able to work with students with mild learning differences and discuss options with students as they work through the application process.

    Academic Support:

    Subject Type	offered
    Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation
    Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties

    Mild but clinically diagnosed ADHD:

    Subject Type	offered
    Accommodations
    Modifications
    Extra support

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    A - Forms of Support

    Accommodation:

    Modification:

    Remediation:

    B - Environments

    Indirect Support:

    Resource Assistance:

    Withdrawal Assistance:

    Partial Integration:

    Full-Time Class:

    
    

    Special NeedNeed

    Forms of SupportA

    EnvironmentsB

    ADHD

    • Learning disabilities
      Dyslexia (Language-Based Learning Disability)

      This is a learning disability that can limit a child's ability to read and learn. It can have a variety of traits. A few of the main ones are impaired phonological awareness and decoding, problems with orthographic coding, and auditory short-term memory impairment.

      Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

      This is a sound differentiation disorder involving problems with reading, comprehension, and language.

      Dyscalculia

      This is a kind of specific learning disability in math. Kids with this math disorder have problems with calculation. They may also have problems with math-related concepts such as time and money.

      Dysgraphia

      This is a kind of specific learning disability in writing. It involves problems with handwriting, spelling, and organizing ideas.

      Language Processing Disorder

      This is characterized by having extreme difficulty understanding what is heard and expressing what one wants to say. These disorders affect the area of the brain that controls language processing.

      Nonverbal Learning Disorders (NLD)

      These involve difficulties interpreting non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language. They're usually characterized by a significant discrepancy between higher verbal skills and weaker motor, visual-spatial, and social skills.

      Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit

      A characteristic seen in people with learning disabilities such as Dysgraphia or Non-verbal LD. It can result in missing subtle differences in shapes or printed letters, losing place frequently, struggles with cutting, holding pencil too tightly, or poor eye/hand coordination.
    • Developmental
      Autism

      Refers to a range of conditions that involve challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and speech and nonverbal communication. They also involve unique strengths and differences. For instance, there are persons with both low- and high-functioning autism (some claim the latter is identical to Asperger's syndrome).

      Asperger's Syndrome

      On the autism spectrum, Asperger's is considered quite mild in terms of symptoms. While traits can vary widely, many kids with Asperger's struggle with social skills. They also sometimes fixate on certain subjects and engage in repetitive behaviour.

      Down syndrome

      his is associated with impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics.

      Intellectual disability

      This is a condition characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning (e.g., reasoning, learning, and problem solving). Intellectual disabilities are also known as general learning disabilities (and used to be referred to as a kind of mental retardation).

      Williams syndrome

      This is a rare genetic disorder present at birth. It is characterized by intellectual disabilities or learning problems, unique facial features, and cardiovascular problems.

      Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

      Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy. These may include growth deficits, facial anomalies, and damage to the central nervous system, which can lead to cognitive, behavioural, and other problems.
    • Behavioral and Emotional
      Troubled behaviour / troubled teens

      roubled teens tend to have problems that are intense, persistent, and can lead to quite unpredictable behaviour. This can lead to behavioural and emotional issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, criminal behaviour, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.

      Clinical Depression

      This is a mental health disorder also called "major depression." It involves persistent feelings of sadness, loss, and anger. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms are usually severe enough to cause noticeable problems in relationships with others or in daily activities, such as school, work, or one's social life.

      Clinical anxiety

      This is a mood disorder involving intense, relentless feelings of distress and fear. They can also have excessive and persistent worry about everyday situations, and repeated episodes of intense anxiety or terror.

      Suicidal thoughts

      This involves persistent thoughts about ending one's life.

      Drug and alcohol abuse

      This involves the excessive use of drug and/or alcohol, which interferes with daily functioning.

      Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

      This is a disruptive behavioural disorder which normally involves angry outbursts, often directed at people of authority. This behaviour must last continuously for six months or more and significantly interfere with daily functioning.
    • Physical
      Multiple sclerosis

      This is a condition of the central nervous system. It affects the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Symptoms can include fatigue, loss of motor control, memory loss, depression, and cognitive difficulties.

      Cerebral palsy

      his refers to a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. CP is caused by abnormal development or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture.

      Muscular dystrophy

      Muscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular disorder which weakens the body's muscles. Causes, symptoms, age of onset, and prognosis vary between individuals.

      Spina Bifida

      This is a condition present at birth due to the incomplete formation of the spine and spinal cord. It can lead to a number of physical challenges, including paralysis or weakness in the legs, bowel and bladder incontinence, hydrocephalus (too much fluid in the brain), and deformities of the spine.

      Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder)

      This is a Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Also known as "sensory integration disorder," it affects fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It may also affect speech.

      Blindness

      Visual impairment is a decreased ability or inability to see that can't be fixed in usual ways, such as with glasses. Some people are completely blind, while others have what's called "legal blindness."

      Deafness

      Hearing impairment, also known as "hearing loss," is a partial or total inability to hear. The degree of hearing impairment varies between people. It can range from complete hearing loss (or deafness) to partial hearing loss (meaning the ears can pick up some sounds).

      Cystic Fibrosis

      Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic condition, which affects the body's respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. It affects young children and adults.

      Multiple physical

      Accommodating a wide range of physical conditions and disabilities.

    Read our guide to special needs schools and special education

  • Gifted learner support In-class adaptations
    [Show definition of Gifted learner support]

    Schools support students with gifted or advanced learning abilities in a several ways. Whether they offer a full-time gifted program or part-time support, they normally provide some form of accelerated learning (delivering content at a faster pace) or enrichment (covering content more broadly or deeply). Many schools also offer a wide range of in-class adaptations to support advanced learners, such as guided independent studies, project-based learning, and career exploration.

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    Dedicated gifted programs:

    Program	offered
    Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school)
    Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class)

    Curriculum delivery: Enrichment (The main focus is on enrichment. This means that while students may work at a marginally quicker pace than public school peers, the primary aim is to study subject in broader and deeper ways.)

    In-class adaptations:

    Program	offered
    Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement)
    Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement)
    Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement)
    Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement)
    Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others)
    Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement)
    Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement)
    Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement)
    Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement)

    What Spire Institute & Academy says: This information is not currently available.

  • Language English
    Spire Institute & Academy offers English as the primary language of instruction.

    Language of enrollment include: English
  • Homework Policy
    [Show definition of Homework Policy]

    Homework is work that's assigned to students for completion outside of regular class time. There's a long-standing debate over homework. Should homework be assigned to school-age children? If so, in what grades? And how much homework should be assigned? In selecting the right school for your child, it's important to look closely at a school's homework policy.

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    In grade Gr. 12, Spire Institute & Academy students perform an average of 1.5 hours of homework per night.

    Nightly Homework

    	9	10	11	12
    Spire Institute & Academy	90 mins	90 mins	90 mins	90 mins
    Site Average	69 mins	80 mins	98 mins	107 mins

    What Spire Institute & Academy says about their flipped classroom policy: This information is not currently available.

  • Report Card Policy
    [Show definition of Report Card Policy]

    While all schools measure individual progress and achievement in students, they have different ways of doing this. For instance, many traditional schools gauge progress through report cards, which give students lettered or numbered grades. Other schools, meanwhile, measure progress in other ways, either in addition to or instead of giving grades. For instance, they may offer prose-based feedback (i.e, comments), academic achievement reporting, habits and behaviour reporting, and parent-teacher meetings. In choosing the right school for your child, take a close look at its policy for measuring the individual progress of students.

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    How assessments are delivered across the grades:

    Lettered or numbered grades	Gr. 9 to Gr. 12
    Prose (narrative)-based feedback	Gr. 9 to Gr. 12
    Parent-teacher meetings	Gr. 9 to Gr. 12

• Extracurriculars
  [Show definition of Extracurriculars]

  While academics remain the priority for most private schools, many also place a strong focus on a well-rounded education and encourage participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, arts, or clubs. Involvement in extracurriculars helps stimulate students in their studies, makes them more motivated to learn, and can make school more enjoyable and fulfilling. Extracurricular activities can also provide students with a much-needed break from the stresses of academics, while helping them to develop skills and allowing them to take part in valuable social situations.

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  Sports offered

  Competitive sports: 5
  Recreational sports: N/A

  Legend:     Competitive offered           Recreational offered

  all sports]

  • Archery
  • Curling
  • Badminton
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Canoeing/Kayaking
  • Cricket
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Cycling
  • Downhill skiing
  • Equestrian
  • Fencing
  • Field Hockey
  • Figure Skating
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
  • Ice Hockey
  • Ice Skating
  • Lacrosse
  • Martial Arts
  • Mountain biking
  • Racquet Ball
  • Rowing
  • Rugby
  • Running
  • Sailing
  • Skateboarding
  • Snowboarding
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Squash
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track & Field
  • Volleyball
  • Weightlifting
  • Wrestling

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  Clubs offered

  SPIRE Institute & Academydoes not offer any clubs or extracurricular programs.

• Tuition & Financial Aid
  [Show definition of Tuition & Financial Aid]

  This can depend on a number of factors, including the type of school, living arrangements, what’s included in tuition, school location, resources, and facilities. Many private schools in Canada have tuition that ranges between $6,000 and $12,000 a year. While some schools, such as schools which provide room and board, can be more expensive, many of these schools provide ways to defray the costs of tuition. For instance, they may offer merit-based scholarships or needs-based financial aid (often referred to as “bursaries” or “subsidies”).

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  	9	10	11	12
  Day	US $42,900
  Boarding	US $59,900

  
  

  What Spire Institute & Academy says about their tuition: Tuition covers all academics (books, experiential learning opportunities, and technology), training, housing, and food.

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  Need-based financial aid

  Grade range that need-based aid is offered:	9 to 12
  Percentage of grade-eligible students receiving financial aid	35%
  Average aid package size	$15,000
  Percentage of total enrolment on financial aid	35%
  Total aid available	$400,000

  Application Deadline:

  Rolling deadline

  More information:

  www.spireinstitute.org

  Application Details:

  This school works with School and Student Services (SSS). for processing financial applications
  A complete application includes the SPIRE application, recommendations from the student's English and math teachers and a counselor or coach, and a transcript review. Families who are applying for financial aid must complete the School and Student Services (SSS) application, which can be found at www.sssbynais.com. SPIRE's school code is 200038.

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  Merit based Scholarships

  SPIRE Institute & Academy does not offer merit-based financial awards.
• Enrolment
  [Show definition of enrolment]

  Private schools come in all shapes and sizes. Some larger schools have enrolment numbers in the thousands, while some smaller schools have only a few dozen students. Boarding schools tend to be on the larger side, while alternative schools, such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf, are normally smaller. Besides the overall size of school, there are other important facts you’ll want to know about a school’s enrolment. For instance, here you can learn about a school’s enrolment for separate streams (if they have them), such as day and boarding, its average class size, and its average enrolment per grade.

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  Enrolment Details:

  	Grades	Gender	Living Arrangement	Enrolment
  Group 1	Gr. 9 to Gr. 12	Coed	Boarding	90

  Additional Statistics:

  Total enrolment	90
  Average class size	12 to 17
  % of international students (total enrolment)	25%
  Number of different nationalities within student population	7
  Five-day boarding program offered	Yes
  % in boarding (grade-eligible)	100%

  Student Distribution:

  	9	10	11	12
  Boarding Enrollment	15	20	25	30
  Class Size	15	15	15	15

• Admission
  [Show definition of Admission]

  Private schools in Canada have admissions policies. All schools have some required application materials, though these vary between schools. These may include letters of application, application fees, essays, and exams (such as the SSAT). Many schools also require interviews with prospective students, either with their parents, on their own, or both. Schools also have different standards and priorities when evaluating student applications, different acceptance rates (which may vary between grade levels), and target different kinds of students. To improve your child’s chances of acceptance, you should find out everything you can about a school’s admissions policies and how they assess applicants.

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  Admissions Requirements

  Assessment	Required	Grades
  Interview		9 - 12
  SSAT
  SSAT (out of province)
  Entrance Exam(s)
  Entrance Essay		9 - 12

  Boarding students: Rolling
  Offer mid-year entry: Yes

  Fees:

  Application fee: $50
  Registration fee: N/A
  Deposit: $1,000

  What Spire Institute & Academy says:

  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.

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  Acceptance

  Acceptance Rate: 75%

  This is the percentage of applicants typically accepted into the school. So if 50 students are admitted out of 100 applicants, the school has an overall acceptance rate of 50%.

  
  

  Boarding
  

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  Student Entry Points

  This shows approximately how many openings there are likely to be in each grade in a typical year, as well as the estimated acceptance rate for each grade level.

  
  

  Student Type	9	10	11	12
  Boarding Acceptance (Acceptance rate)	20 - 30 (75%)	15 - 20 (75%)	12 - 15 (75%)	10 - 12 (75%)

  Type of student Spire Institute & Academy is looking for:
  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.
• University Placement
  [Show definition of University Placement]

  Where graduates of a school do their post-secondary studies can be an important factor in choosing a private school. Do you want your child to go to a Canadian university, an Ivy league school in the US, or some other institute? Regardless of your inclinations, take a look at a school’s university placement record, and the services they offer to support university applications and decisions.

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  Key Numbers

  Average graduating class size	40
  Students accepted into post-secondary studies upon graduation	100%

  Percentage of students who attend post-secondary institutions outside of Canada	95%
  Students who attended a Ivy+ school Number of students in the past 5 years that that attended one of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, University of Chicago, Oxford or Cambridge (UK)	N/A

  Post-Secondary Schools Attended

  California Institute of Technology						5%
  Duquesne University						5%
  Florida Institute of Technology						5%
  University of California, Los Angeles						5%
  Wake Forest University						5%

  % of Graduates

  
  

  • United States 17 universities
    • American University
    • Boise State University
    • California Institute of Technology
    • Canisius College
    • Duquesne University
    • Florida Institute of Technology
    • Kansas State University
    • Ohio State University
    • Rutgers University
    • University of California, Los Angeles
    • University of Chicago
    • University of Kentucky
    • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
    • University of Richmond
    • University of Virginia
    • Wake Forest University
    • West Virginia University

  
  

  Areas of Study

  • SPIRE Institute & Academy
  • OurKids.net Site Average

  SPIRE Institute & Academy Graduates’ Post-Secondary Studies:

    30% - Liberal Arts and Sciences
    15% - Engineering and Applied Sciences
    20% - Business/Commerce
    0% - Fine and Performing Arts
    20% - Applied Health Sciences
    15% - Applied Professional Studies (Post-grad certificate / diploma)
    0% - Other
  

  Aggregate of All Schools’ Post-Secondary Studies:

    24% - Liberal Arts and Sciences
    25% - Engineering and Applied Sciences
    24% - Business/Commerce
    4% - Fine and Performing Arts
    14% - Applied Health Sciences
    2% - Applied Professional Studies (Post-grad certificate / diploma)
    6% - Other
  

  
  

  Services Offered to Students

  Career planning
  Internships

  Mentorship Program
  University counseling

• Notable Alumni
  [Show definition of Notable Alumni]

  Many private schools in Canada have numerous graduates who have gone on to great things. Learn about a school’s most influential, important, successful, and famous alumni.

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  Alumnus	Grad Year	Accomplishment
  LaMelo Ball	2020	LaMelo LaFrance Ball (born August 22, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected by the Hornets with th

• Principal's Message
  Dr. Katherine Reedy, Dean of Academics

  SPIRE Academics is built on the concept that we strive to prepare students for college and life. Looking to find ways to link core content to projects with real-world application helps bring relevance to the work students do within the classroom. Each class integrates disciplines and faculty strategically work to create opportunities for students to challenge themselves where they are in their academic growth and find purpose in their learning. We are excited to carry learning from the classroom to the field and back. We believe that learning does not happen in isolation and utilizing passion helps anchor learning. For example students may collect data on the basketball court and bring it back to the classroom to look at statistics, physics and geometry.

   

  We are excited to bring new faculty to SPIRE this coming year to support the academic division. Teachers will be charged with working together and building an academic experience that challenges students, broadens their perspectives and links learning to life.

   

  Additionally, the academic division is working closely with residential life to integrate the boarding curriculum with the academic day. Incorporating opportunities to explore the greater Cleveland area, expand service programming and bringing in career exploration students will have the chance to delve deeply into understanding how their passions can lead to future career opportunities. Athletics, academics and residential life will continue to work closely together to ensure there is a balance between training, learning and down time.

   
• In the News

  June 7, 2021
  “WHAT COVID TOOK AWAY, SPIRE GAVE BACK”

  “WHAT COVID TOOK AWAY, SPIRE GAVE BACK” SAYS OLYMPIC HOPEFUL COREY CRAWFORD
  Read full article

  June 7, 2021
  IT’S NOT TAKING A YEAR OFF. IT’S ADDING A YEAR TO YOUR FUTURE.

  SPIRE welcomes post graduate students to further train for their swimming careers and expand their academic and life skills while exploring
  Read full article

  June 7, 2021
  SPIRE OVERSEAS STUDENT ATHLETES

  FROM SPAIN TO SPIRE—TWO MORE OVERSEAS STUDENTS ADD TO SPIRE’S INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE
  Read full article

  
  

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