Spark ALC is a self-directed learning community for curious, empowered young people. Located in East Bradenton, Spark is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit private school rooted in the Agile Learning Center model. We empower learners to lead their own education through intentional culture creation, personal responsibility, and meaningful choice.
Our environment blends freedom with structure, offering powerful tools for self-organization, collaboration, and reflection. Learners engage deeply with real-world projects and pursue their passions in a setting that values curiosity, respect, and community. Facilitators, peers, and local partners support each learner’s unique journey—because at Spark, learning isn’t something that happens to you. It’s something you design.
“Since we can’t know what knowledge will be the most needed in the future, it is senseless to try to teach it in advance. Instead, we should try to turn out people who love learning so much, and learn so well, that they will be able to learn whatever needs to be learned.” —John Holt
Some things are central to what ALCs are about, while other elements are flexible and may vary between communities. We use a metaphor of a tree to illustrate this aspect of the ALC model more clearly.
The soil we grow from is trust: in children, in each other, in you.
The four assumptions—roots—which ground us are as follows:
We believe that younger children are motivated to learn new skills through observing and interacting with their older peers. Older children experience newfound forms of leadership and the ability to nurture. This creates a healthy collaborative environment in which to learn.
Children are treated with the same respect as adults. We utilize Non-Violent Communication and strive to authentically connect with our community using compassion.
Children and adults mingle freely in the environment and learners can go to any child or adult for help without the fear that they will feel pressured or inadequate.
We are an Agile Learning Community that activates explosive learning by harnessing powerful tools for self-organization and goal creation. All children will have access to one-on-one academic help to meet individualized academic goals.
We trust children to be in charge of their own education. In conventional schools, children are stripped of this responsibility. We do not want to diminish a child’s natural initiative, curiosity, or capability to learn.
Children learn to use the tools of our culture to become capable adults. Learners are encouraged to use real tools in their play and work. You will see children safely and responsibly exploring and experimenting with tools such as computers, books, cooking utensils, woodworking, crafting tools, and sports equipment.
Younger children are developing the ability to set intentions through play, collaborating with others, and learning through correcting mistakes. Older children increasingly begin to plan out their day in more structured ways by using tools for time management, self-selecting intentions, and creating a plan to acquire the skills needed to achieve their learning goals.
Children have endless time to play, explore, and discover. We believe that children learn through play! This freedom allows for deep friendships to form and time for children to pursue their interests.
