SPIRE

SWIMMING


BOARDING SCHOOL

SPIRE’S training program is perfect for serious swimmers looking for an intense training environment to prepare for the next level of competition. It serves high school athletes as well as post graduates looking to train for an additional year as they seek the best possible college scholarship opportunities. It’s also available for elite swimmers who have completed college eligibility and are looking for the ideal residential training opportunity.

Key Features

  • Two Myrtha pools designed with input from USA Swimming
  • 10 lanes of a 50-meter racing course that can be converted to 25-yard or 25-meter courses with pace clocks and scoreboard
  • Underwater video stroke and swim power analysis equipment
  • 25,000 sq. ft. Performance Training Center focusing on physical conditioning, mental skills training, nutrition/hydration training
  • Custom designed seasonal competition, plus year-round league competition
  • College prep academic curriculum; college placement guidance
  • An “olympic village” setting with US and international athletes in multiple sports
  • Esports gaming lab access
  • 750-acre campus; 850,000 sq. ft. of indoor sports facilities; on site residential housing; on site education center, SPIRE Fuel cafeteria and more…

HIGH SCHOOL

SPIRE’s boarding school features a college preparatory academic curriculum, along with unique personal skills development and career preparation features.

The SPIRE Academy 9-12th grade college preparatory, accredited, cross curricular, project- based program is designed with the progressive learner/thinker in mind. By coupling academics and swimming training with a commitment to maximizing personal development and career exploration options, SPIRE is the best place to prepare to excel in school, at work and in life itself.

The swim academy program includes 11 training and analysis sessions each week and approximately 22 to 30 hours of training per week depending on stroke/distance specificity. Training plans are customized to achieve individual goals within a scientific progression.

Resources and services include: unlimited pool and dryland training space; underwater video and power analysis; lactate testing, dryland agility, power and speed training with SPIRE Performance; sports medicine, therapy and rehab support; sports nutrition/hydration guidance; and mental skills training.

Download the admissions guide now to learn more about joining SPIRE’s world-class swim academy.

POST GRAD

Welcome to SPIRE’s Post Graduate Program, the world’s premier destination for high school graduates seeking to optimize athletic, academic and leadership abilities.

SPIRE’s unique PG program delivers customized swim training/competition directed by top coaches. Sometimes referenced as a gap year after high school, PG offers athletes a unique opportunity to enhance their overall academic, athletic and personal standing with top college coaches and programs.

Our aim is to empower student athletes to pursue their goals with confidence, knowing that their unique paths will lead them to success. Here are a few of the key opportunities SPIRE’s Post Grad program offers:

  • Enhance academic standing
  • Sport-specific training
  • Experience college life
  • Athletic and Personal Development
  • Get noticed
  • College Planning and Placement

There’s no better way to impress college coaches and increase leadership opportunities. You don’t have to find the best college coaches. They’ll find you.

  • KEY FEATURES

    • Two Myrtha pools designed with input from USA Swimming
    • 10 lanes of a 50-meter racing course that can be converted to 25-yard or 25-meter courses with pace clocks and scoreboard
    • Underwater video stroke and swim power analysis equipment
      25,000 sq. ft. Performance Training Center focusing on physical conditioning, mental skills training, nutrition/hydration training
      Custom designed seasonal competition, plus year-round league competition
    • College prep academic curriculum; college placement guidance
      An “olympic village” setting with US and international athletes in multiple sports
    • Esports gaming lab access
    • 430-acre campus; 750,000 sq. ft. of indoor sports facilities; on site residential housing; on site education center, SPIRE Fuel cafeteria; and more…
  • NOTABLE SPIRE SWIM GRADUATE’S & ACHIEVEMENTS

    College Commitments

    • Notre Dame College
    • University of Chicago
    • Florida Tech
    • University of Maine
    • University of Georgia
    • Concordia University
    • California Art Institute
    • Wesleyan University
    • Lynn University
    • Maryville University
    • St. Andrews College
    • University of Exeter

    Special Achievements

    • 11 – 2016 Olympians
    • 3 – 2018 Youth Olympians
    • U.S. Paralympic National Team
  • SPIRE SWIM PROGRAMS & EVENTS

    Additional Programs:

    Lake Erie Sliver Dolphins Club Training, Spring Break Camps, Summer Stroke Camps, Summer Elite Training Camps, Winter Training Camps, Weekend Training Sessions, Competition/Team Training

    Events Hosted at SPIRE:

    Atlantic 10 Championships, Big East Championships, USA Swimming Championships, NCAA Div II Championships, Olympic Development Championships, countless YMCA, sectional, zone and divisional meets and more

TEAM SWIM AT SPIRE

THAD
SCHULTZ

Aquatics Director And
Head Swim Coach

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Molly
McCulloch

Assistant Swim Coach

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Joshua Malave

Admissions Manager

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ACADEMY MODEL

SPIRE’s experienced faculty, coaches, performance specialists, college and career counseling staff are dedicated to delivering an atmosphere that produces strong, confident, dedicated student athletes. Our goal is to develop everyone to excel both in & out of the classroom and inside & outside the competitive arena.

Academics

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College & Career

Counseling

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Swimming

Camps

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Campus

Life

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Athletic

Development

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Personal

Development

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ACADEMY FAQ'S

  • 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.

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