From four families to a thriving community

SPARK Hybrid Education Center began in 2015 with a group of four homeschool families who were looking to create something new — combining stimulating classes with a licensed teacher while still allowing the flexibility and parental influence that homeschooling offered. We sat down together and worked out a 3-day-a-week schedule offering the four core classes of math, science, language arts, and social studies, because the students were already involved in their own individual fine arts and sports activities.

It was originally named CrossRoads Learning Center. In 2017, we rebranded to more accurately reflect what we were — people thought we were a church group, and "learning center" gave the impression we were a tutoring service for struggling students. So we asked the students to come up with a new name, and SPARK Hybrid Education Center was chosen. "Spark" means to ignite, trigger, stimulate, or excite; "hybrid" means a thing made by combining two different elements of mixed character. A parent suggested the acronym Students Pursuing Advanced Reasoning & Knowledge, and the SPARK brain logo further reflected our desire to provide stimulating lessons that spark the imagination.

We started offering classes for students ages 10–14, but in 2017 we added a program for ages 5–9 due to parents' requests for younger siblings — the Sparkles program, which continues today. What started with only four students has now grown to over 60, with our first 8th-grade graduates now in college!

SPARK is a hybrid education center providing classes in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies for home-educated students in Naples, Florida. Our teaching practices: students are assessed and grouped according to ability, classes are multi-age, instruction is differentiated for varying abilities and interests, and lessons combine instruction, discussion, and hands-on projects. Our primary requirements are "Be kind and do your work" with an emphasis on a love and joy for learning.

SPARK is registered as an LLC with Darlene Thiele as Director. It is not a school. Parents who register their children at SPARK first register with their county's public school system stating they intend to establish a Home Education Program. Parents are responsible for their children's education; SPARK provides support by teaching the core subjects. Teachers are hired as independent contractors. Students are the clients and parents are the stakeholders.

SPARK has 105 teaching days compared to 180 at public schools; however, by focusing on core subjects and having two days a week at home for academic work, students accomplish a great deal. SPARK provides semester reports and proctors a nationally normed standardized test at year-end, and a Florida-licensed teacher signs off on the Home Education Evaluation Form.