“SPIRE students go to Rutgers, UVA and Penn State to name a few,” said Brian Oliver, SPIRE Director of Admissions. “They also go to The Olympic Games, The Final Four and the NBA.”

At SPIRE we believe that the college and career process is one of the most important aspects of Academy life— and the earlier that process is started, the better. Our mission for the College Preparation Program is to find the best possible college fit for every student, based on their individual passion and academic levels. We create independence through training a student athlete to be responsible for their game and their education to be more college ready. We want to ensure that during their years at the Academy, they have been adequately prepared and equipped to be eligible for and accepted into the best college program for them.

We have been fortunate to have had amazing student athletes come through our door year after year. Whether they join our swimming, track and field or basketball programs, they all bring with them the motivation, desire and passion to achieve something beyond their wildest expectations. We have had swimmers attend Division I schools such as University of Chicago, West Virginia University, and St. Bonaventure. A number of our international student-athletes have improved enough at SPIRE to qualify to represent their home countries in the Olympic Games. SPIRE’s athletic programs give these student- athletes the support they need to achieve their goals and the opportunity to excel on national and global platforms.

The college placement process can be intimidating without clear direction and a solid plan, especially for international students who are not familiar with the strict National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requirements and rules. Our qualified and experienced college planning and placement team, together with the coaching team, has a strong network of college coach relationships that can help eliminate many of the unknowns and identify the right program for every student. We will lead and guide you through the intricacies of the process and give every student the best opportunity to make the right decision for them.

SPIRE’s approach to college preparation has proven consistently effective, resulting in a 100% success rate, eventually going on to have successful professional careers as well. Whether students aspire to an NCAA Division I, II or III or an NAIA school, we believe there’s a path for everyone.

SPIRE graduates have gone on to attend schools with prestigious programs such as:

American University | Arizona State University | Boise State University | California Art Institute | California Baptist University | Coastal Carolina University | Columbia University | Concordia University in California | Cornell University | Dartmouth College | East Carolina University | Eastern Michigan University | Fairfield University | Florida Athletic University | Florida Institute of Technology | Frostburg State University | Georgetown University | Gillette College | Indian River State College | Intendenica de Maldonado—Uruguay | James Madison University | Kent State University | Loughborough University (GB) | Lynn University | Maryville University | McKendree University | Miami University (OH) | Michigan State University | Mid-Michigan College | National Basketball League (Australia) | North Carolina State University | Ohio University | Oklahoma Baptist University | Oklahoma State University | Penn State University | Providence College | Rutgers University | Sacred Heart University | San Diego State University | Sienna University | St. Andrews College – South Africa | St. Bonaventure University | The Ohio State University | University Evansville | University of Arkansas | University of Auckland (New Zealand) | University of Buffalo | University of California at Los Angeles | University of California–Riverside | University of Charleston | University of Chicago | University of Colorado | University of Exeter | University of Georgia | University of Hawaii | University of Illinois | University of Illinois Chicago | University of Louisville | University of Maine | University of Massachusetts | University of Minnesota | University of Missouri | University of New Mexico | University of North Carolina–Asheville | University of Oklahoma | University of Oregon | University of Puerto Rico-Carolina | University of Rhode Island | University of South Carolina Upstate | University of Southern California | University of South Pacific | University of Tampa | University of Texas–Arlington | University of Utah | University of Vermont | Utah State University | Washington & Lee University | Washington State University | Wesleyan University | Western Carolina University | West Virginia University | Wichita State University | Xavier University | Youngstown State University

The following SPIRE Academy and After-School High School “Local Elite” Track and Field alumni have matriculated to an equally prestigious group of colleges and universities:

Akron University | Butler University | Carnegie Mellon University | Case Western | Charleston Southern | Columbia University | Cornell University | Eastern Michigan | Hillsdale College | Lake Erie College | Michigan State | Ohio State University | Ohio University | Oklahoma State University | Penn State University | St. Louis University | U.S. Naval Academy | University of Buffalo | University of California at Los Angeles | University of Cincinnati | University of Michigan | University of Mount Union | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pittsburgh | University of Rhode Island | University of Texas | University of Virginia | William & Mary University | Xavier University | Youngstown State

With limited college spots and scholarships available, SPIRE IA gives student-athletes and their families an edge in college planning and placement. It’s not too early to begin exploring your options, and we will be glad to help. Boarding school applications are open for the current academic year as well as post grad programs.

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