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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Ready to take the next step and join us?

By: Marcus Hartman

Braxton Miller is lending his brand and support to a new sports-centric charter school set to open in Springfield this fall.

The Springfield Sports Academy will serve grades K-5 as well early kindergarten with plans to add grades each year.

The school will be located at 501 S. Wittenberg Ave. in the building that was originally J. Warren Keifer Junior High.

It will be owned and operated by ACCEL Schools, a company that operates charter schools across the country, including 78 in Ohio.

Chad Carr, an ACCEL executive vice president who helped develop the sports-centric model the school will implement, 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.

As described in literature distributed during an open house Wednesday night, the new school will be a “well-rounded college prep program emphasizing competitive sports training” and include teaching of English Language Arts, math, science and social studies as well as physical education with specialized athletic training.

Competitive sports training, conditioning and competitions will be part of the regular school day with the intention for students to get their academic work and athletic practices finished by 4:30 each school day.

“We’re just trying to make it more convenient for families to be families,” Carr said.

“I met Braxton over this past year and he’s from Springfield, and his vision is he wants to give back to the community,” Carr said. “He wants to see kids busy doing sports instead of other things. He just needed a facility, so ACCEL stepped in and found a facility that was available so we partnered with Braxton and we’re gonna open the Springfield Sports Academy ‘charged by Braxton Miller’ because that is his brand.”

Miller grew up on the south side of Springfield before becoming a star quarterback at Wayne High School and then Ohio State.

He spent four years in the NFL before going into the business world and establishing the Charg1ingSports brand that sponsors various team camps and events as well as the Braxton Miller Foundation, which is dedicated to offering opportunities to young people who want to better themselves in life and sports.

“My thing is I do a lot of stuff with sports and kids with camps, leagues and tournaments and stuff like that,” Miller said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to have my own school portfolio. Not just one, not just two but a plethora. I want like 10 plus, so I think the first and foremost way to stamp my name into the academy space is planting a flag where I grew up. I always had a vision of buying something like this and being a part of it and helping kids get to the level I am now.”

Miller previously announced he would be part of a group purchasing the former campus of Urbana University in Champaign County, and that remains in progress but is a separate venture entirely.

The Springfield Sports Academy is open to anyone on a first-come, first-served basis, and Carr said spots have been pledged to all students who previously attended Springfield Christian, the former tenant of the building.

Full Story on Springfield News-Sun »

Full link: https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/sports/braxton-miller-getting-behind-new-elementary-school-set-to-open-in-springfield/ESFPTU7BJ5GMHCR27DUZEQBYNA/

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Ready to join us this fall?

Did you know that less than one-quarter (24%) of children 6 to 17 years of age participate in 60 minutes of physical activity every day? That means most children aren’t getting the exercise they need to prevent serious health issues like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. And they’re missing out on the academic benefits too, since exercise is linked to better focus, memory, and classroom performance.  

The CDC recommends 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise a day for school-aged children. When kids are active at school, they are healthier, happier, and more successful in school. Here are a few of the benefits of sports and physical education in schools: 

• Improved attention 
• Better mood and memory 
• Lower risk of depression 
• More time on task 
• Fewer absences 
• Better behavior 
• Better bone & heart health 
• Healthier weight 

Source: CDC Healthy Schools 

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Our experienced school leaders strongly believe in these benefits and implement them throughout the school day.  

According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, charter schools are independently operated public schools that have the freedom to design classrooms that meet their students’ needs. All charter schools operate under a contract with a charter school authorizer – usually a nonprofit organization, government agency, or university – that holds them accountable to the exacting standards outlined in their “charter.” 

Why Choose Charter? 
The reasons parents choose charter schools for their children are just as unique as the students themselves. Here are a few of the reasons why families choose charter education: 

Teachers 
Charter schools are known for having dedicated administrators and teachers who have a stake in their students’ success. The charter model encourages innovation, thinking “outside the box,” and going the extra mile to help each student be successful. 

School’s Focus 
Charter schools come in many different varieties from sports focused schools like Fairfield Prep to schools that espouse a specific educational methodology, such as Montessori or Waldorf. Parents are often drawn to a charter school for the specific programs it offers. Open Houses and special events on campus are excellent opportunities to get to know what makes each school unique. 

Time for a Change 
Whether your child is struggling in his or her current school, needs extra challenge, or simply is ready for a different educational environment, charter schools offer a fresh approach to learning that many families appreciate. Every child is unique and charter schools offer many different options for meeting your family’s educational needs. 

We are a proud member of ACCEL Schools—a public charter school network serving thousands of PK-12 students throughout the United States. ACCEL was founded in 2012 by the early pioneers of online learning. Our leadership believes that all children, regardless of location or socio-economic background, deserve a quality education that prepares them to succeed in school and become productive global citizens.  

ACCEL Schools Instructional Model provides: 

• Aligned Academics meet or exceed state standards ensuring your child is on track for rigorous college and career opportunities.    
  
• Certified, Licensed Teachers and a student-centered staff are united in executing our mission to make a difference in the life trajectory of each student.    
  
• More Time on Task and double the instructional minutes for ELA and Math maximizes learning in your child’s school day.   
  
• Short Cycle Assessments keep track of how students are progressing in the program, giving teachers ongoing feedback so they can tailor instruction to your student’s needs.    
  
• Individualized Instruction driven by assessment data means we are familiar with the needs of each child and set students up for success in each course of study.    
  
• State Testing Preparation reduces the anxiety often associated with high stakes tests, helping our teachers and students feel confident with the structure and methodology of state exams.    
  
• Academic Support including education technology, interventional specialists, and instructional aides assist students during the school day. After school tutoring, summer school, and Saturday school programs extend support services beyond the traditional school day and year.   
  
• Extracurricular Courses & Activities round out our educational offerings providing students social-emotional learning, athletics, arts, service learning & more.   

Our school is accredited by Cognia™ for meeting the highest standards of education in ongoing, third-party review.

Developed with the ACCEL Schools Academic Team, our Early Kindergarten Program focuses on each child’s physical, social, and cognitive development. Our teaching approach uses meaningful playtime and learning materials that are centered around young children’s natural curiosity and desire to learn.

• Free, full-day program for children ages 4-5
• Full year (August – May) program
• Applicants must turn five years old by January 1st
• A brief Kindergarten assessment is required during the registration process

Our Early Kindergarten Program teacher will be in regular communication with you throughout the year to discuss your child’s progress toward his or her individual learning goals.

We coach sports like we teach academics—with college in mind! Students will have the opportunity to participate in sports beginning in Kindergarten. Team practices and conditioning will be part of PE and specialty classes each afternoon. Most games will also be scheduled during the school day, keeping evenings free for quality family time.

In Grades K-5 we offer an Intramural Sports program that includes year-around sports such as Basketball, Cheer & Dance to all grade levels as opportunities for individual growth, physical development, and team building. Our Soccer Program is offered each Spring and begins with skills camps & overall conditioning for Grades K-3 and progresses to team sport for Grades 4 and up. In the Fall we offer Cross Country & Volleyball for Grades 4 and up.

In Middle School we offer a Competitive Sports program that includes year-around sports such as Basketball, Cheer & Dance. Cross Country & Volleyball are offered in the Fall, and Soccer in the Spring.

Throughout the school year and summer we additionally offer Skills Camps for various sports.

At Springfield Sports Academy, we implement the ACCEL Instructional Model (AIM) which starts with an Ohio Standards-based curriculum taught by properly certified and licensed teachers. We frequently assess students (on a bi-weekly schedule) to know if a student is working ahead, falling behind, or right on track when it comes to mastering the learning standards for their grade level.

We review the data from these regular assessments and tailor instruction to each student’s needs. While many schools formally assess students at the end of the quarter, we believe that assessing students in shorter cycles gives our teachers early and regular insight into student progress.

Our teachers utilize a variety of learning activities and tools each day to individualize instruction in each subject area. Students receive whole class instruction, small group instruction, and one-on-one instruction. Our teachers additionally utilize Education Technology and other adaptive curricular tools to maximize learning in each school day.