We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of Springfield Spots Daycare, set to welcome families in summer 2024!

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It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re taking a moment to amplify our incredible instructional staff!

Teachers join our school with a desire to make a difference in the lives of children in our community. With hearts of gold, teachers create nurturing classroom environments, develop inspiring lesson plans, adapt instruction to meet individual needs, capitalize on real life teaching moments, support the social-emotional development of students & so much more.

Every school year, our teachers push themselves to the limit to reach each student in their care & to make a difference in each life. We are PROUD, APPRECIATIVE, and ADMIRING of our teachers for their meaningful work this school year. Please join us in thanking a teacher this week!

It’s School Board Appreciation Month, and we’re taking a moment to thank the dedicated volunteers who guide our schools and shape the future of our students.

Their tireless work, often behind the scenes, makes a world of difference. Let’s show them some love! #SchoolBoardAppreciationMonth #ThankYouBoardMembers

As we start looking forward to the 24/25 school year, please review the re-enrollment process infographic.

Your early decision and response helps us plan effectively for the upcoming year. Thank you for being a part of our school family! 

HERE’S HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR:

STEP 1 »

STEP 2 »

STEP 3 »

STEP 4 »

STEP 5 »

January	March	July	August	August
Respond to our text message with your Intent to Return	Complete the Re-Enrollment Form & Provide updated Proof of Residency	Connect with us by phone to confirm your re-enrollment & Free School-Branded Shirt Size	Check the mail for our Back to School Welcome Kit & Event Information	Begin the 2024-25 School Year & receive your student’s School-Branded Shirt

Build a strong academic foundation from the start. Begin your education journey with us and save your student’s seat today!

Thanks to Spectrum News 1 Ohio for the spotlight on us! We love being a part of this community!

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New sports academy opens in Springfield

By: ALESE UNDERWOOD

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A new unique school focused on sports and academics just opened in the town of Springfield, just northeast of Dayton.

Helping to launch the public charter school is Springfield native and former Ohio State University standout quarterback Braxton Miller.

“It feels great. It’s a blessing to be able to come home to a prominent location where I grew up in and being able to give back to the kids that want to be successful one day and that’s what we’re here to do. To each one, teach one. I enjoy it, bringing my passion and my love to the city of Springfield, Ohio,” Miller said.

Right now, the school is open for students in grades K-5 and they have about 100 children already added to the roster.

Springfield Sports Academy is a place where athletics, sports and motivation are put in the spotlight.

However, if you look closer and listen, it’s clear that students are learning a lot more than sports.

“It’s different because we learn more and we learn better things and we get more time to get free and play,” said 4th grader Mason Hagans.

“I am a science kid. I love science. I even have science kits at home just waiting to be done. We have team sports, ELA, we even have computer lab which we didn’t have at my old school,” said 5th grade student Ty’Shawn Sparks.

“My favorite subject is math, I love my family very much, and I get straight As,” 4th grader Aaliyah Welch.

Inside the old high school building, quotes from sports greats line the walls while touches of architecture from the past can be seen around every corner.

Students get the standard hours of reading, math, science and social studies.

The school is led by a principal who knows the students and most of their parents by name.

Travonna Hunter was born in Springfield and has come home.

“Once you get culture right you can teach your kids and teach your teachers anything. My goal here is to come, build a really strong culture where we know that we’re a team and we are on our own race,” Hunter said.

It’s a unique learning experience and Springfield Sports Academy is part of a larger network of public charter schools across Ohio.

“I don’t want to give anybody the wrong idea. They’re not half-day sports, half-day academics. This is a full, robust, academic program here. They’re going to receive as much, if not more academic time than any traditional public school. It’s just that we have streamlined it in such a way that we’re able to incorporate their team sport into the school day,” said Superintendent and Executive Vice President of Accel Schools Chad Carr.

Students learn a new sport every week, but also have team practices.

“So they will receive that practice while at school so saving Mom and Dad time from having to run them all over the place after 3:30 in the afternoon. We actually take care of their team sports practice during the school day,” Carr said.

For Hunter, it’s a new experience filled with possibilities.

“We’re going to be respectful and ready, we’re going to be authentic, we’re going to be accountable, we’re going to be committed to excellence and really try to show every day that we’re giving our best effort,” she said.

Next year the goal is to add 6th grade and another grade each year after until 12th grade.

The principal says she has plans to renovate outdoor courtyard spaces so kids can learn gardening and have quiet places for reflection.

Read the full article on Spectrum News »

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Ready to enroll?

By CALEB SPINNER

Miller announced the opening of the Springfield Sports Academy Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with some of the school’s future students.

It’s no secret Ohio State Buckeyes love giving back to the community when their playing days are done.

And former Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller is no different. On Thursday, Miller unveiled the Springfield Sports Academy, a school focused on developing students academically and athletically.

“It’s always been a dream and passion of mine to come home and help the youth,” Miller said. “It’s my hope and expectation that every student succeeds and excels at Springfield Sports Academy.”

Miller and his company, “Charg1ng” have held several football and basketball camps for local kids in Urbana and Springfield. The Wayne High School graduate said is proud of where he grew up, and wants to give kids the opportunity to succeed in sports as he did.

Full Story on FanNation »

Full Link: https://www.si.com/college/ohiostate/news/braxton-miller-springfield-sports-academy-ohio-state-buckeyes-quarterback-charging-nfl-academy

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By Brooke Spurlock

A new sports-centric charter school in Springfield opened its doors and welcomed 60 students to its building for the first time.

The Springfield Sports Academy opened Wednesday for students in grades K-5 and early kindergarten, with plans to add grades each year, at 501 S. Wittenberg Ave., formerly J. Warren Keifer Junior High. It’s owned and operated by ACCEL School Network, a company that operates charter schools across the country, including 78 in Ohio.

Principal Travonna Hunter and Chad Carr, executive vice president of ACCEL School Network, spoke with the Springfield News-Sun on Wednesday about the new school that will offer competitive sports and physical conditioning along with academics.

“We are really excited about partnering with the parents and really giving the community an opportunity for a different experience in education,” Hunter said. “(To) provide the intervention or the enrichment that students need to really prepare them to run their own race and make sure all of our friends hit the finish line strong and ready for the next grade level.”

Hunter said they are under an academic plan called the Blitz model where kids get “maximized academics” as well as the opportunity of team sports, electives, and recess. She said the curriculum and schedule allow students to get an hour of whole group instruction, reading and math, and an hour of small group instruction.

“We’re putting students first, we’re going to train kids so that they can be resilient, respectful, and on the road to continuous improvement. We talk about our data with students, with teachers, and we make sure that we reflect on where we are so that as we move forward, we strive to make greater steps and get better every day,” she said.

Carr said the goal of the academy is to provide kids with the chance to develop themselves academically and athletically without sacrificing all of their afternoons and evenings to practice.

Students get an hour of teams sports, but each grade level is different, Carr said. For example, grades K–2 will have a different sport each week to learn, as well seasonal sports such as soccer in the fall and basketball in the winter.

Full Story on Springfield News-Sun »

Full Link: https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/new-sports-centric-school-opens-in-springfield-with-60-students/IGB5H3UXQVFLZBCONIZIT3AZLA/

Teachers and staff are eager to welcome students to school on August 23 at Springfield Sports Academy, a new public charter school offering competitive sports and college preparatory academics for students in kindergarten through grade 5. New and prospective students and their parents are invited to campus for a Back to School Bash on August 16. Guests can enjoy refreshments and activities, meet school staff, and get help with the school registration process. 

Springfield Sports Academy belongs to the ACCEL School network—a nationwide network of over 70 charter schools committed to providing educational opportunities for all students regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic factors. The new school is located at 501 S. Wittenberg Ave. in the building that was originally J. Warren Keifer Junior High.  

Academics 
Students receive daily instruction in English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Sports. Students additionally participate in Art, Music, Technology, and Social-Emotional Learning. Teachers follow the BLITZ Model which emphasizes mastery of each Ohio Learning Standard. In each subject area, teachers assess each student using scrimmages (every two weeks) and review or accelerate learning material accordingly. Throughout the school year, students, teachers, administrators, and parents track academic performance based on regular assessments, scrimmages, and academic competitions. 

Athletics 
In addition to fitness, intramural practice, and game theory, students play card and board games to learn important aspects of sportsmanship, collaboration, and leadership. By fourth grade, students have the opportunity to participate in competitive intramural and league sports. Middle school students have the opportunity to commit to seasonal or year-round team sports. One of the highlights of the new school is the chance for students to work closely with Braxton Miller, former Ohio State Buckeye starting quarterback and NFL player for the Houston Texans. The school offers competitive sports and physical conditioning integrated into the school day, leaving evenings free for family time and other pursuits.  

Leadership 
Principal of Springfield Sports Academy, Travonna Hunter, is excited about the school year ahead. Before joining the ACCEL Schools team, she held educational leadership positions in Texas and Florida including Assistant Principal, Principal, and Regional Consultant. As a Principal in Residence, she graduated from Relay’s National Principal Fellowship in June 2022. Hunter holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in Sociology. She completed her M. ED in Educational Leadership at Jacksonville University. Principal Hunter is dedicated to building a positive culture of learning at Springfield and looks forward to welcoming students on campus August 23. 

For more information or to RSVP for upcoming events, visit www.springfieldsa.org. 

Travonna Hunter is the proud Principal of the Springfield Sports Academy. She has been in leadership positions from District Assessment & Student Services Coordinator, Reading Specialist, Assistant Principal, Principal and Regional Consultant. She has experience in K-12th grade with a range of subjects including Reading, Math, Social Studies, Science, and PE.

She has taught and led instruction in Florida and Texas. She has a record in Duval County for increasing staff retention to 100% from below 60% and exceeding the Districts 3rd Grade FSA Achievement leading Stonewall Jackson Elementary. As a Principal in Residence, she graduated from Relay’s National Principal Fellowship in June 2022.

Travonna holds a bachelor’s from Florida State University in Sociology. She completed her M. ED in Educational Leadership at Jacksonville University. During year 1 of residency in the Rio Grande Valley as a Principal in Residence; she met all goals and supported her direct reports to do the same! As the school leader she is dedicated to building a positive culture of learning where we are a T-E-A-M who is ready to charge!

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