C. Calland-Jones, S. Lee, and A.

Smith Program Development

Dream School Project- Ignite Academy Due: June 8, 2017
Rationale:

Ignite Academy recognizes that gifted students need a supportive environment to learn and grow
to their full potential. We align our ideas based on the research and work of Joyce Van Tassel-
Baska's exemplified in the Integrated Curriculum Model. This model focuses on accelerating
students' thinking through advanced content, issues/themes, and process product. She stated, "the
fusion of these approaches is central to the development of a coherent curriculum that is
responsive to diverse needs of talented students while also providing rich challenges to all for
optimal learning" (Van Tassel-Baska & Brown; 2007). Gifted students reach their maximum potential
when engaging in opportunities that support the characteristics of rigorous learning, while
fostering the areas of creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking that extends beyond
experiences in the traditional classroom. The utmost importance is creating an integrated program
that aligns academic objectives, curriculum, and assessment, while providing instructional methods
to match the various learning styles and needs of our students.

Mission Statement:

Ignite Academy's goal is to develop the individual talents and academic strengths of each
student, while recognizing social and emotional needs, through authentic learning experiences that
engage active learners as they develop into innovative leaders in an ever-changing world. This is
accomplished through implementing the Integrated Curriculum Model, which focuses on
interdisciplinary studies that incorporates students' interests into learning and establishing
connections to the real-world. This mission is realized through building a strong collective
relationship between Ignite Academy, students, families and the community while providing a
challenging curricula that builds self-concept and talents in the pursuit of excellence.

Core Values:
1. Integrity
2. Building partnerships beyond the classroom
3. Empathy
4. Resilience
5. Building lifelong learners and leaders

Innovating for the 21st century

Giving of time and talents
Nurturing giftedness
Integrating curricula
Transcending beyond the classroom
Empowering endeavors
C. Calland-Jones, S. Lee, and A. Smith Program Development
Dream School Project- Ignite Academy Due: June 8, 2017
Descriptors:

Ignite Academy is a greater Atlanta private school that will serve 150 gifted students in grades K-
5. Students will be served in a small classroom environment with a student to teacher ratio of 10:1
to ensure personalization and differentiation of instruction to meet the specific academic, social,
and emotional needs of students.

Due to the growing population and changing demographics of students and communities in the
greater Atlanta area, Ignite Academy will be centrally located in the city of Atlanta. Ignite
Academy will depend on the families, community members, and affiliated businesses, so having a
convenient site will be beneficial for all stakeholders. Additionally, its location will enable Ignite
Academy to build strategic partnerships for financial contributions and outreach of the following
Atlanta based companies and universities:

Georgia Tech: engineering, STEM, and math

Savannah College of Arts and Design: arts, STEAM

Georgia State University: education training, student teachers, research based studies, athletics

Coca-Cola, CNN: global connections, technology, and media

Home Depot: engineering, school garden, agriculture

Grady Hospital, Childrens Hospital of Atlanta, Atlanta Medical Center, and Good Samaritans-
health services, science, and technology

Atlanta Symphony and Orchestra: music

Atlanta Zoo and Atlanta Botanical Gardens: agriculture, STEAM, science,

Georgia Aquarium- science, STEAM

Admission Process for Students:

1. Submit an online application, providing evidence of existing eligibility for gifted services and an
online portfolio for review by the Admissions Committee.

2. The student and family will schedule a visit, tour and interview with the Admissions committee.

3. Student Portfolio: Submit 2-5 examples of student work (in any subject or talent area) that clearly
demonstrates the student's creativity, talents, and enthusiasm for learning. One of these items
must be a student created writing sample. For each sample, please write a brief summary of the
work and how it demonstrates above mentioned characteristics.
-Kindergarten and First grade students will participate in a screening process that will be
used in lieu of the writing sample.

4. Teacher or Community Leader Letter of Recommendation: Your childs teacher or community leader
should submit a brief narrative detailing his or her experiences with your child. The community
C. Calland-Jones, S. Lee, and A. Smith Program Development
Dream School Project- Ignite Academy Due: June 8, 2017
leader could be a coach, religious leader, Girl Scout or Boy Scout leader, or other civic organization
leader. The letter should be mailed directly to Ignite Academy.
The Ignite Academy
1234 Dream School Way
Atlanta, GA 90210

5. Student Records: For students entering grades 1-5, please request that your child's school submit
current student transcripts, as well as any other evaluations and standardized test scores directly
to Ignite Academy.

(Note: above admission criteria was adapted from MIS school in Atlanta.)

-Students not already identified for gifted services will be provided with resources for the testing
process. Eligibility for these resources will be determined on a needs based criteria by the
Admissions Committee.

-Students will keep an electronic portfolio to document and provide evidence of learning throughout
the year, which will be continually reviewed. As part of this portfolio, students will reflect upon
their experiences and projects of interest that extended beyond the walls of the classroom. At
the end of the year, student, teachers and parents will review evidence in the portfolio to evaluate
the student's strengths, areas for development, and next steps for instruction.

Funding Sources:

Being a private school, our primary source of funding will come from the student tuition of $20,000
per year. This tuition will help provide educational resources, student services, project materials,
experiences inside and outside of the classroom, teacher training and resources, and staffing
needs.

Supplemental funding will come from endowments, donations, or grants provided by business
partners (Lowe's, Home Depot, Target, Coca-Cola, CNN, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech,
SCAD, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) or other corporations. These contributions go towards
specific projects or talent areas designated by the contributor.

Ignite Academy will have multiple fundraisers and student showcase opportunities. During these
events students will exhibit their talents, sell produce from our urban gardens, and use student
driven projects or products to help raise money for the school. Students and teachers will have
input and work together organize fundraising events for families and the community.
C. Calland-Jones, S. Lee, and A. Smith Program Development
Dream School Project- Ignite Academy Due: June 8, 2017
Rationale for Physical Plant:

Ignite Academy will repurpose an existing or vacant structure with the parameters of the Midtown
Atlanta area. We will be located within the community of students we serve. Our school is designed
with a flexible and open plan that will encourage collaboration, development of talents, and creation
of projects.

-adaptive reuse of a building/space

-greenhouse / garden space for planting, growing, composting
-buildings with solar panels, natural lighting
-meeting spaces for collaboration for students and teachers
-project area work spaces for students to create (technology, Wi-Fi, projectors, supplies)
-meeting space for community
~ small & large group
-learning commons (media center)
-open classrooms for collaboration, cross-curricular models & projects
-Multipurpose outdoor classrooms- one large amphitheater and smaller classrooms
-Science, STEM and Art labs
-Theater / Stage-amphitheater
-Counselors Suite (Social- Emotional Wellness)
-Athletic facility gymnasium, open-field, multi-purpose courts

Teamwork to Complete Project:

Parents:
In the traditional elementary school setting, gifted students often receive only seven segments a
week, equivalent to one day, of gifted services. At Ignite Academy, gifted students will receive
specialized gifted services every day, tailored to their needs. A smaller learning environment, with
a 10:1 student to teacher ratio, ensures that the varying gifted needs of our students are met, in
addition to devoting time to develop true talents and focusing on bridging academics to the real-
world. Parents who send their children to Ignite Academy will benefit from having students who are
engaged and develop critical thinking and creative problem solving skills based on real-life connects
that will prepare them to be successful and contributing citizens of the 21 st century.

Community Members and Business Partners:

Inviting the community to be an integral part of Ignite Academy enables students, community
members and business partners to create a connection from the classroom to the real-world. In
supporting Ignite Academy, community members and businesses partners will receive tax
deductions for financial contributions, fulfill their community outreach mission, and receive
publicity for their support. By contributing the gift of time, funds, and talents to the students at
Ignite Academy, community members and business partners are directly responsible for helping to
grow future leaders of our world.
C. Calland-Jones, S. Lee, and A. Smith Program Development
Dream School Project- Ignite Academy Due: June 8, 2017
Students:
Students at Ignite Academy will not only be focusing on growing academically, but will nurture their
true talents, while engaging in innovative projects and experiences that bridge school to the world
around them. Ignite Academy focuses on providing safe and challenging learning environments
where students are encouraged to take risks and be innovative in their thinking and creating.

Just as these families, community members, and business partners give to us, Ignite Academy
students give back to the community that enriches their learning through community based
projects, annual fundraiser, outreach programs, or volunteering in an area of interest at one of the
local businesses.

Teachers:
Teachers will have the flexibility to adapt the curriculum, along with having the voice and choice in
how to personalize instruction for their students. Time will be devoted weekly for collaboration
among teachers and staff to build integrated units or projects.

- In order for our students at Ignite Academy to connect beyond the classroom, parents,
community members, and business partners must contribute the gift of experiences, time, and
talents to our students. Families and business partners will be asked to give a minimum of 20 hours
of their time or talents towards building our students' futures.

Education Services and Model:

The Curriculum Committee has decided to implement the Integrated Curriculum Model to best
meet the needs of our gifted population. This model was developed by Joyce Van Tassel-Baska,
from William and Mary School of Education, based off the research findings of PK Humphreys and
J. Nowicki, who emphasized, "There is a strong push to involve students in their learning, to let
them create their own understanding, to encourage critical thinking, and to increase
students responsibility in schooling. Integrated curriculum translates this theory into practice."

Integrated Curriculum Model provides resources for units, but Ignite Academy teachers have the
freedom to develop our own thematic units across the curriculum that meet the needs of
the gifted population we serve. Since this model focuses on integrating curricula throughout
interdisciplinary studies, teachers have the flexibility to scaffold, personalize instruction, and
extend beyond the subject areas. With the development of thematic units, students are engaged in
creative and critical thinking, and problems solving skills, which are integral to building innovative
thinkers and strong leaders.

Students engage in core subjects daily: language arts, math, social and cultural studies, science &
STEM lab, and a special talent area class of interest.
-Specials talent areas classes offered: visual arts, music (band or orchestra), chorus,
drama/theater, dance, physical education, computer coding and programming.
C. Calland-Jones, S. Lee, and A. Smith Program Development
Dream School Project- Ignite Academy Due: June 8, 2017
Once a week, students will participate in foreign language (Mandarin, Spanish & Hindi),
environmental science, critical thinking, social and study skills, computer science, urban farming,
engineering, or community outreach project. Students choose one of these opportunities every nine
weeks.

Parent Involvement and Group Decision Making Process:

Our partnership with the community involves stakeholders (families, business partners, and
community members), which are involved in various decision making opportunities for Ignite
Academy. School committees are established to help streamline decision making within our school.

School Committees

The Board of Trustees, made up of representatives from our business partners and community
leaders, are in charge of all funding and financial decisions.

The Academics Committee, consisting of staff members and content experts who oversee the
hiring of educators and choosing curriculum to best support the needs of our students.

The Admissions Committee is comprised of staff members who oversee acceptance into the Ignite
Academy and the educator selection process.

The Community Engagement Committee brings together our families, business partners and the
surrounding community to create the best environment and educational opportunities to lead our
students on a path that transcends our school walls.

Educator Selection Process:

Core Content Teachers (math, science, language arts, social & cultural studies, and STEM lab)
wanting to apply to the Ignite Academy must:
~ hold a clear renewable Georgia Educator Certificate in the content area for which they teach
~ hold a Gifted & Talented certification and training
~ have a minimum of 3 years previous teaching experience
~ marked Proficient in all 10 TKES categories (if public school educator) or in evaluation system
used by previous school (private school educator)

Experts in the areas of STEM/STEAM, technology and other specialized interests will be utilized
in a co-teaching model based on student interest and project-based needs.
All Educators working with students on and off our campus will complete an interview process
involving stakeholders of the Ignite Academy.

Professional Development
All educators at Ignite Academy will participate in on-going professional development. The goal is
to diversify the personal-knowledge base of student educators, and meet the interests & needs of
talented & gifted and high ability learners with an inquiry-based, cross-curricular idea in mind. The
C. Calland-Jones, S. Lee, and A. Smith Program Development
Dream School Project- Ignite Academy Due: June 8, 2017
training of the educators will have lasting impact on instruction with students and program
development supported by families, business partners and the surrounding community. The end goal
is to have training opportunities that provide a positive impact on the ingenuity and degree of
learning experience we provide for the diverse learners in preparing them to be contributing
citizens on a global level.

Presentation Link: https://sway.com/yrK9dPdTCikbLCHs?ref=Link