Ignite Academy-

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

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

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, it's 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
 Ignite Academy-
C. Calland-Jones, S. Lee, and A. Smith
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 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.
 Ignite Academy-
C. Calland-Jones, S. Lee, and A. Smith
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.

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 21st 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,
 Ignite Academy-
C. Calland-Jones, S. Lee, and A. Smith
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.

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.

Once a week, students will participate in foreign language (Mandarin, Spanish & Hindi), environmental science,
 Ignite Academy-
C. Calland-Jones, S. Lee, and A. Smith
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 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