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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.
Ready to enroll?
