SPARK Schools

SPARK Schools was started to provide internationally competitive high-quality academic achievement to South African communities. The original motivation and concept for SPARK Schools was developed at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), where Stacey Brewer, Bailey Thomson and Ryan Harrison are alumni. South Africa is consistently ranked among the worst-performing education systems in the world.

SPARK Schools was built on the belief that quality and affordability are not mutually exclusive when it comes to excellent education. SPARK Schools emerged as a pioneer of blended learning in Africa and implemented the first blended primary school model in Africa.{{cite web|title=Keeping Digital Innovation Alive in Schools|url=http://rebuildingtheroof.com/2013/07/25/keeping-digital-innovation-alive-in-schools/|work=Rebuilding the Roof|accessdate=23 October 2013}}

SPARK Ferndale was launched as the first SPARK school in 2013. SPARK Schools became an ISASA full member and accredited network in 2013.{{cite web|title=ISASA Schools Directory|url=http://www.isasa.org/component/option,com_hotproperty/Itemid,147/|work=Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa|access-date=23 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423041143/http://www.isasa.org/component/option,com_hotproperty/Itemid,147/|archive-date=23 April 2013}}

SPARK is an acronym for the schools' core values:

• Service
• Persistence
• Achievement
• Responsibility
• Kindness{{cite web|title=Core Values|url=http://www.sparkschools.co.za/education-at-spark/core-values/|work=Spark Schools|accessdate=21 May 2013}}

The name of the network also took inspiration from the quotation often misattributed to William B. Yeats:

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire".

While this quotation is often attributed to the Irish poet W.B. Yeats, there is no evidence that he ever wrote or said those words.

The founding team consisted of Stacey Brewer (Executive Director & Founding Principal), Ryan Harrison (Non-executive director), Bailey Thomson (Director of Leadership and Development){{cite web|title=Preparing Young Minds for Innovation|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgS7ggcSN2w|work=TEDx: College of William & Mary| date=21 May 2013 |accessdate=23 May 2013}} and Caitlin Burkholder-Travis (Director of Student Achievement).

SPARK Schools uses a lab rotation blended learning model that combines classroom instruction with adaptive software to accelerate learning and increase student achievement.{{cite web|title=Academic Programme|url=http://www.sparkschools.co.za/education-at-spark/academic-programme/|work=Spark Schools|accessdate=14 May 2013}}{{cite web|title=Bruce Whitfield chats to Stacey Brewer, Founder of eAdvance|url=http://www.gibs.co.za/igibs_1/igibs/videos-and-audio/bruce-whitfield-chats-to-stacey-brewer-founder-of-eadvance.aspx|work=iGIBS|accessdate=10 May 2013}} SPARK Schools uses a lab rotation blended learning model, pioneered by Rocketship Education.

The blended education model allows for a high level of individualised learning as scholars receive instruction in the classroom as well as through adaptive education technology.{{cite news|title=Low-fee schools on the rise|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2012-09-07-low-fee-schools-on-the-rise|accessdate=30 April 2013|newspaper=Mail & Guardian|date=7 September 2012}}{{cite web|title=Individualised Learning|url=http://www.sparkschools.co.za/education-at-spark/blended-learning/|work=Spark Schools|accessdate=14 May 2013}}

SPARK Schools uses a flex model for scholars in Grades 4–7 (intermediate phase). At this level, scholars are placed in ability groups based on their own individual performance in the subjects. This allows for an even more individualised form of education.

In January 2019, SPARK Schools launched their first high school—SPARK Randburg High School. SPARK Randburg High School, is located in Ferndale, Randburg. There are now five high schools in the network. SPARK High Schools focus on academic development that prepare scholars for matriculation and beyond.

Ambitious claims are made for SPARK Schools as a high-performing school network,{{cite web|title=Blended Learning: The Proof and the Promise|url=http://skollworldforum.org/session/blended-learning-the-proof-and-the-promise/|work=Skoll World Forum|accessdate=10 May 2013}} with internationally relevant rigour and benchmark assessment.{{cite web|title=High quality education will ensure that South Africa's "Born Free" generation does not become a lost generation|url=http://www.thenewgame.co.uk/index.php/high-quality-education-will-ensure-that-south-africas-born-free-generation-does-not-become-a-lost-generation/|work=The New Game|accessdate=9 September 2013}}

SPARK Schools has been featured in various media outlets including, the Economist,{{cite news|title=Class action|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21588427-why-poor-parents-increasingly-send-their-children-private-schools-class-action|newspaper=The Economist|accessdate=29 October 2013|date=26 October 2013}}{{cite news|title=Class action: Why poor parents increasingly send their children to private schools|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21588427-why-poor-parents-increasingly-send-their-children-private-schools-class-action|newspaper=The Economist|accessdate=1 June 2016}} the Mail & Guardian, Forbes, the Sunday Times,{{cite news|title=Business Classrooms|newspaper=Sunday Times|date=27 January 2013|author=Tina Weavind|page=1}} the Sowetan,{{cite news|title=Low-cost private education initiative|url=http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2012/03/28/low-cost-private-education-initiative|accessdate=10 May 2013|newspaper=The Sowetan|date=28 March 2012|author=Tebogo Monama}} The Sunday Independent, and Finweek{{cite news|title=Can Cheap Private Schools Save SA?|newspaper=Finweek|date=19 July 2012|author=Buhle Ndweni|pages=8–12}} SPARK Schools has also been covered on various Radio and Television shows including, Talk Radio 702, Classic FM,{{cite web|title=State of Education in South Africa and the Plight of Our Youth|url=http://www.classicfm.co.za/classic-government/programme-podcasts/programme-archive/previous-podcast-12-june-2012-tuesday|work=Classic FM|accessdate=30 April 2013}} iGIBS, and CNBC Africa.

SPARK Schools has also been featured in various academic publications such as Focus (Helen Suzman Foundation){{cite journal|last=Brewer|first=Stacey|author2=Ryan Harrison |title=Blended Learning in South Africa|journal=Focus: Education: Overcoming & Innovation|year=2013|volume=68|pages=62–67|url=http://www.hsf.org.za/resource-centre/focus-chapters/focus-68-chapters/(12)%20S.%20Brewer%20and%20R.%20Harrison.pdf/view|accessdate=21 May 2013}} and Acumen{{cite news|title=Breaking the Education Mould|newspaper=Acumen|author=James van den Heever|pages=31–33|year=2012}} as well as various international blogs, such as Getting Smart,{{cite web|title=Good Schools Worlds Poor|url=http://gettingsmart.com/2012/07/good-schools-worlds-poor/|work=Getting Smart|date=26 July 2012 |accessdate=10 May 2013}} LeadSA,{{cite web|title=Johannesburg graduates set to launch new education scheme|url=http://leadsa.co.za/?p=8705|work=LeadSA|accessdate=10 May 2013}} Daily Maverick{{cite web|title=Can we afford not to privately educate our children?|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2013-08-06-can-we-afford-not-to-privately-educate-our-children/#.UiRy8Tbdcs_|work=Daily Maverick|accessdate=5 September 2013|author=Paul Berkowitz|date=5 August 2013 }} The New Game and EdSurge.{{cite web|title=Blended Learning Sparks In South Africa|url=https://www.edsurge.com/n/2014-01-29-blended-learning-sparks-in-south-africa|website=EdSurge|date=29 January 2014 |accessdate=9 June 2014}}

SPARK Schools has been profiled in various forums and reports by ISASA, the Centre for Development and Enterprise{{cite web|title=Affordable Private Schools in South Africa|url=http://www.cde.org.za/index.php/publications/education-skills-and-markets/79-education/413-the-missing-sector-contract-schools-international-experience-and-south-african-prospects|work=Centre for Development and Enterprise|accessdate=5 September 2013}} and the Clayton Christensen Institute.{{cite web|title=Blended Learning Profile: SPARK Schools|url=http://www.christenseninstitute.org/spark-schools/|website=Christensen Institute|accessdate=9 June 2014}}

The earliest record of SPARK Schools can be found in the Sowetan Newspaper in an article titled: Low Cost Private Education

Initiative.

As at November 2024, there are 26 schools in the SPARK Schools network.

Gauteng, South Africa

• SPARK Alberton Primary
• SPARK Bedfordview Primary
• SPARK Bramley Primary
• SPARK Carlswald Primary
• SPARK Centurion Primary
• SPARK Cresta Primary
• SPARK Ferndale Primary
• SPARK Kempton Park Primary
• SPARK Midrand Primary
• SPARK Midrand High
• SPARK Randburg High School
• SPARK Randpark Ridge
• SPARK Riversands Primary
• SPARK Riversands High
• SPARK Rivonia Primary
• SPARK Rivonia High
• SPARK Rosslyn Hub Primary
• SPARK Rynfield Primary
• SPARK Silver Lakes Primary
• SPARK Soweto Primary
• SPARK Theresa Park Primary
• SPARK Turffontein Primary
• SPARK Weltevreden Park Primary
• SPARK Witpoortjie Primary

Western Cape, South Africa

• SPARK Blue Downs Primary
• SPARK Blue Downs High

SPARK Schools has received funding both from foundations focused on high impact philanthropy and from for-profit impact investors.{{cite news|last1=Hasenfuss|first1=Marc|title=UK's Pearson targets SA's education sector|url=http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/education/2014/05/22/uks-pearson-targets-sas-education-sector|accessdate=9 June 2014|agency=Business Day|publisher=Business Day|date=22 May 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Duma|first1=Philile|title=Chain of low fee schools set to be built|url=http://www.thenewage.co.za/126162-1009-53-Chain_of_low_fee_schools_set_to_be_built|accessdate=9 June 2014|publisher=The New Age|date=22 May 2014}}{{Cite web|last=Articles|first=S. A. T.|date=2021-03-10|title=SPARK Schools Raises Series C Capital as it Aims to Expand its Footprint in South Africa|url=https://southafricatoday.net/lifestyle/education/spark-schools-raises-series-c-capital-as-it-aims-to-expand-its-footprint-in-south-africa/|access-date=2021-08-06|website=South Africa Today|language=en-US}} Funders/investors including [https://www.creadev.com/ CREADEV], [https://www.finnfund.fi/en/ Finnfund], Omidyar Network, Pearson Education (Pearson Affordable Learning Fund),{{cite news|last1=Whitfield|first1=Bruce|title=Low Cost Private School Chain In South Africa|url=https://soundcloud.com/primediabroadcasting/cost-private-school-chain-in-south-africa|accessdate=9 June 2014|agency=702 Talk Radio|publisher=PriMedia Broadcasting|date=27 May 2014}}{{cite news|title=Global Learning Leader Increases Access and Quality of Affordable Education in South Africa and India|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/global-learning-leader-increases-access-080300795.html|accessdate=9 June 2014|agency=Yahoo Finance|publisher=Yahoo Finance|date=20 May 2014}}{{cite web|title=Pearson Invests in Blended Learning in South Africa, India|url=https://www.edsurge.com/n/2014-05-20-pearson-invests-in-blended-learning-in-south-africa-india|website=EdSurge|date=20 May 2014 |accessdate=9 June 2014}} the Good Schools Fund, Imaginable Futures and various high-net-worth individuals.

SPARK Schools was invited to the 2013 Skoll World Forum to present alongside Salman Khan (Khan Academy), Sandy Speicher (IDEO) and Debra Dunn (Stanford University) on the panel, Blended Learning: The Proof and the Promise.{{cite web|title=Blended Learning: The Proof and the Promise - Salman Khan, Sandy Speicher, Stacey Brewer, Debra Dunn|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiPQfUV6k6w&ytsession=pfd2tu4XlncdUfwQRkoF2Tbd_488oLHCgMe7bGqCGJp9trU80e49bxBiYso_ZlQ_TLz2BlOk6_Sq4Yj_lCuf7ETtlIS9GdGPSGB0WzNs19Q0uLrxe5U8NSZwzbKTW9tb0FmhVfZGhp4m5qDRx6VjDELdIWe5NvuoNVBwNcwdc43PbbNmNeH4NzMsemVhRYBguEz56nHiLJpmPGkv9JHQbOoFHdncwHfQZtYRFaEOjgNcaxi6G-BlrLSvZpFMG0ZKGHFgxA8W7mYH42fTjFY_Wys450-s2rXpQU2bD3Ivum0f4fpbmhjLAnQSUAdf15uU_OyL3EYvs3USxA0q6Uspt50RMDJ0m0qcANqEti162RfOydvHbHaSeltJHr2FA-52K8etLC7bJbEMHq2Ldn7E64pMqvVLVTFKNlS3NKu6yyyFuZew5BwCAosCSzihaZHkAguOkIODnP76oOFcRlCxTCfJNQ5vmVqd5Tc3kix0HL8F1v7t5ea_QxZ7KhHWom7_fuRdiRUuu3XyJJyFmwGYMl4iPfBX1HfukcpH87qo93NKQxI3nzKtI9o_8hB2vBGVgeWgw18RI2n-3wtUqjTdiSAo8ieKXo8k|work=Skoll World Forum 2013| date=5 July 2013 |publisher=Skoll Foundation|accessdate=22 July 2013}}

SPARK Schools was recognised by the Accenture Innovation Index Awards as "an innovation that changes the way the world works"{{cite web|title=SA needs redesigned education model|url=http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68085|work=IT Web| date=11 October 2013 |accessdate=23 October 2013}} and placed as a finalist in the 2013 innovation index.

• 2014 Accenture Innovation Index Awards Finalist
• 2014 Mail and Guardian Top 200 South Africans
• 2015 South African Employer of Choice (<1000 employees){{cite web|title=Vodacom, SPARK Schools and Mhlathuze Water are South African Employers of Choice|url=http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/22/133121.html|website=BizCommunity|accessdate=5 November 2015}}
• 2015 FNB Innovation Awards Finalist{{cite web|title=FNB Business Innovator of the Year Revealed|url=http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/categories/27-private-sector-a-business/6854-fnb-business-innovator-of-the-year-revealed.html|website=South Africa The Good News|accessdate=5 November 2015}}
• 2015 Elle Boss Awards{{cite web|title=Meet our 2015 ELLE Boss Winner|url=http://www.elle.co.za/meet-our-2015-elle-boss-winner/|website=ELLE|accessdate=5 November 2015}}
• 2015 Standard Bank Top Women Awards
• 2015 Mandela Washington Fellow
• 2016 EOY Innovator of the Year Award{{cite web|title=Education company named innovator of the year in national entrepreneurial competition|url=http://www.eoy.co.za/posts/education-company-named-innovator-year-national-entrepreneurial-competition-2078/|website=EOY|accessdate=8 September 2016|ref=EOYInn2016}}
• 2016 Acer for Education - Innovative School
• 2016 All Africa Business Leader Award (AABLA) - Innovator of the Year
• 2017 EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women
• 2017 Tutu Fellow
• 2019 Glamour Women of the Year (Business Category)
• 2022 Financial Times - Africa's fastest-growing Education company
• 2023 T4 Education World’s Best School winner
• 2024 Time Magazine’s top 250 EdTech companies worldwide
• 2024 The Charlotte Maxeke Annual Lecture and BHU Awards - Educational Advancement and Empowerment

• Rocketship Education (USA)
• Bridge International Academies (Kenya)
• Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA)
• KIPP (USA)
• Uncommon Schools (USA)

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.omega-schools.com/ Omega Schools] (Ghana)
• [http://www.sparkschools.co.za Official Website]

{{coord missing|South Africa}}

Category:Private schools in Gauteng

Category:2012 establishments in South Africa

Category:Educational institutions established in 2012