SPIRE

Career & College Planning

SPIRE Academy | College Planning

At SPIRE, we believe that the college planning and placement process is one of the most important aspects of Academy life—and you can’t start this process too early!

Our college planning process begins Freshman year and only concludes when a student has graduated from college or chosen and achieved their goals on a different path.   Below is a brief outline of some of the services we provide to our students during each of their years at SPIRE, and beyond.

The NCAA has stringent requirements and strict rules, and the college placement process can be difficult to navigate for those who don’t have a solid plan based on clear direction. SPIRE’s experienced college planning and placement staff, together with our coaching team, have a strong network of college coach relationships that can eliminate many of the unknowns, and help identify the right program for you.

Our College Prep Team works hard to ensure that, during your years at the Academy, you are well equipped and eligible for college. And because independence and personal responsibility  play a key role in your eventual success, we encourage you to address each item in the following college checklist to the best of your ability:

  • Keep your grades up all four years of high school. They count!
  • Take the PSAT in your sophomore year, and the SAT and ACT in your junior year.
  • If you are an international student with English as a second language, take the TOEFL in your junior year.
  • Prioritize your college choices based on its sports/esports program, location, academics, size, team and any other factors you consider important.
  • Make as many unofficial college visits as possible to get a feel for the type of school you’d like to attend.
  • Register for the NCAA clearinghouse.
  • Make official visits after you start your senior year.
  • Commit during the signing period!

Whether you aspire to an NCAA Division I, II or III school, an NAIA school, or any other college or university, we believe there’s a path for everyone to attain their goals. At SPIRE, we are committed to helping you find your best possible college fit based on your personal goals, your prowess in your specialty passion and your academic proficiency.

  • Freshmen Year

    • Weekly college counseling seminar
    • At least one individual meeting to discuss higher education, goals beyond high school and possible academic and career interests
    • One phone meeting with parents to discuss hopes and goals for their daughter or son
    • NCAA rules session regarding gifts, campus visits and college coach contact
    • College admission representative visits to SPIRE Academy during the fall semester
  • Sophomore Year

    • Weekly college counseling seminar
    • At least two individual meetings with each student to start narrowing the list of academic and career interests and colleges/universities that might be a good fit
    • At least one parent call with the student to discuss visiting colleges over the summer and parent role in the process
    • Pair with a senior or post-grad to talk about importance of academic achievement and their next steps
    • College admission representative visits to SPIRE Academy during the fall semester
  • Junior Year

    • Weekly college counseling seminar
    • Three or more individual meetings to narrow list of colleges
    • Discussions about setting up campus visits
    • Personal statement written exercises in English class
    • Early decision pros and cons
    • Work to complete over the summer in anticipation of senior year
  • Senior Year

    • Weekly college counseling seminar
    • As many meetings as necessary to have all applications submitted by admission application deadlines
    • Conversations with parents to ensure all are on the same page
    • Help with student anxiety
    • Help with selecting from acceptances which institution is best fit
    • Assistance with getting all college paperwork submitted on time
    • Commitment to help students and families if circumstances change and additional college help is needed beyond SPIRE graduation
  • College Placement List

ACADEMIC TEAM AT SPIRE

Kimberly Smith

Associate Director of College and School Counseling

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DR. ZAC BRUBACK

Mental Skills

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Arin Franklin

Lead Associate Director of College and School Counseling

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ACADEMY PROGRAMS

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Women's Basketball

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Lacrosse

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Soccer

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Swimming

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Track & Field

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Volleyball

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Wrestling

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Academics, Personal Development and Career Exploration

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Athletic

Development

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Campus

Life

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  • Tell me about the educational delivery model.

    SPIRE Academy provides in person inquiry, mastery based learning. Students focus on group projects, presentation and other ways to demonstrate students master the curriculum. 

    SPIRE’s learning environment balances academic and athletic training and development that nurture personal growth and stimulate the desire to challenge oneself.

    Teachers guide and facilitate learning through engaging, hands-on activities, creative and critical thinking skills, and classroom dialogue.

  • Do you offer day programs or is it only boarding options?

    SPIRE Academy offers a day student option for local students who can commute to campus. Day students receive all the same benefits as boarding students but live at home instead of in SPIRE’s Student Village.

  • How good do I have to be in my sport?

    SPIRE accepts athletes of varying ability, but they all have one thing in common.  They come to SPIRE because they have the heart and desire to become better student athletes.  SPIRE student athletes come from various competitive backgrounds and all have different goals they want to achieve while here and beyond, whether it is to continue their sport after high school or beyond.

  • What does a day look like?

    Academy Sample Schedule:

    6:00am-7:00am Breakfast
    7:00am – 8:50am – Block 1
    9:00am – 10:50am Block 2
    10:50am – 11:50am Lunch
    12:00pm -1:50pm Block 3
    2:00pm – 3:50pm Block 4
    4:00pm – 5:50pm Block 5
    6:00pm-7:15pm Dinner

    Depending on the individual coaches periodization, athletes may train once or twice a day. Performance would also be flexible as to where it falls during the day (and how many days per week) as well.

  • Where do student athletes live on campus? Will I have a roommate?

    SPIRE Boarding Students live in the SPIRE SPIRE Village which consists of three styles of dorms. Most of the dorms are like mini homes with single used bathrooms and large family room.

    Yes, most students have two students per room, some students might have up to 3 students in a room. 

  • How much is the tuition?

    Day rates are different than boarding rates please contact us for more information [email protected].

  • How does SPIRE assist with college planning and placement?

    At SPIRE, we believe that the college planning and placement process is one of the most important aspects of Academy life—and you can’t start this process too early! 

    Our college planning process begins freshman year and only concludes when a student has graduated from college or chosen and achieved their goals on a different path.  

    SPIRE works with student athletes to find a university that is a good fit academically, athletically and socially.  Students are taught how to search for colleges and universities with their intended major as well as their desired sport using the guidance of their coaches, teachers and advisors.  This includes how to communicate with schools and coaches, fill out the Common Application and other applications, including filing FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

  • What are the benefits of a Post Grad year?

    Students come for Post Grad year to train and develop at a higher level with aspirations of higher level of recruiting success. The students have a better understanding of what it takes to get to the collegiate level.

  • Racial Nondiscriminatory Policy

    The governing board of SPIRE Academy located at 5201 SPIRE Circle in Geneva, Ohio 44041 has adopted the following racial nondiscriminatory policies.

    SPIRE Academy recruits and admits students of any race, color or ethnic origin to all its rights, privileges, programs and activities. In addition, SPIRE Academy will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

    SPIRE Academy will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or ethnic origin in the hiring of its certified or non-certified personnel.

  • Does SPIRE offer scholarships and financial assistance?

    SPIRE offers a limited amount of financial aid. Recipients are selected based on academics, athletics, character and financial review. For more information, please reference our admissions page.

  • Where can I find additional information about living at SPIRE Academy?

    Click here to find all resources related to living on the SPIRE Campus.

  • Is the Admissions process competitive?

    SPIRE evaluates each student individually to determine if they are a good fit. The admissions process includes submitting an official transcript, letters of recommendation from an English teacher, a math teacher, and a principal or coach; completing an interview with an admissions manager and a sports coach; and submitting a completed application.

    Each applicant is reviewed by the Admissions Committee to determine if they meet SPIRE admissions requirements.

  • Does SPIRE Academy offer scholarships?

    SPIRE offers financial assistance for families who qualify. All families are reviewed on a case by case basis.  Families must complete the Clarity financial aid application. Please access through our admissions department.

  • Do you have any other question or need additional help with admissions?

    Please contact our Admissions Department at [email protected]

  • When is the deadline to apply?

    Application for 2026 – 2027 will open in August of 2025. SPIRE works on rolling admission for the 2025-2026 school year, however, dorm and team roster availability may be limited. 

  • Would participation in a post grad year affect my four-year NCAA eligibility?

    No, a post graduate year does not affect NCAA eligibility.

For more information about

SPIRE Academy, view our resource center

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