SPARC 2020

Purpose and Goals

Modeled after the college January term concept, SPARC is designed to increase learning opportunities and has become an enormously valuable and popular component of a Brook Hill School education. SPARC stands for Spring Potential And Reality Courses and takes place the week before spring break in March. Not only are students given a plethora of classes to choose from each year beyond the normal high school curriculum, they also have the unique opportunity to literally travel around the world through a variety of educational and mission trips. In addition, Brook Hill students have the rare opportunity to experience a profession first-hand before deciding on a major.

SPARC is designed to challenge students to grow their knowledge beyond present experiences and to inspire a love of life-long learning. This is accomplished by groups of students working closely with faculty and staff in various non-traditional, experiential courses. SPARC provides opportunities to fulfill the school’s mission through not only affirming the gifts of each student, but introducing them to unexplored abilities, challenging their potential by providing experiences and situations in a real-world setting, and encouraging Christ-like character in a variety of settings. SPARC allows students exploration in academics, arts, outdoors, missions, leadership, and athletics. Enrichment opportunities are also offered through cultural interactions, community service, and skill acquirement. The goals of SPARC include:

• To expand the student’s worldview and knowledge through exposure to new ideas, new cultures, and/or new skills.
• To deepen relationships among students and faculty by working together in unique groups
• To model a life-long love of learning through faculty involvement with students.
• To eliminate the misconception that learning only occurs in a classroom environment, and thus, developing lifelong learners.
• To reinforce ideas or concepts taught in the classroom in a different environment.

Directions for SPARC 2020 Registration

Students may register any time after the SPARC expo if they have not already done so. Students who have already registered for a course and the course is currently on the student’s schedule, do NOT need to register again. Any student who fails to comply before registration closes will be placed in the local community service course.

This year, some sign ups have already started due to the nature of the course requiring airfare. Look for changes in policy and procedure for registration and sign ups for SPARC 2021. For those students not currently signed up for a course

Step by step registration instructions

1. Make your SPARC course selection
2. Once you have made your SPARC selection, you need to register for the course in CANVAS.
3. Do this by clicking on the sign up link next to the SPARC course.
4. Follow the instructions after you click on the link
5. Once the student has been registered and the course placed on their schedule in Ren Web, the business office will apply the charge for the course in the student’s FACTS account under “incidental expenses.” Parents can make payments as applicable to the payment schedule for the course or pay the whole amount at one time.
6. If you have any complications, see Mrs. Mize in Lauderdale 101 or email her at jmize@brookhill.org

Important Dates

• October, 11^th- SPARC expo and Canvas registration begins
• October 27^th- SPARC registration closes. All students not signed up will be placed on the local community service project for SPARC week.
• December 13^th- Last day to switch courses before a $100 switch fee will be applied to the student’s account

What if the course you want is full?

If the course you choose as your first choice is full, please see Mrs. Mize in Lauderdale 101 or email her at jmize@brookhill.org, and she will place you on the waitlist

Waitlist information

1. In the event a course you are interested in is full, you will not be able to register for the course.
2. If you would like to be placed on the waitlist, then speak with Mrs. Mize
3. You must register for another course. Follow the directions above to register and pay the deposit, where applicable. Being on a waitlist is not considered registered for a course.
4. If you are moved into your waitlisted course, any money paid will transfer.

What if I sign up for a course that doesn’t make?

There are times when a course does not have enough students sign up for the course to make. In those cases, we work to place you in a course of your choosing; however, you are responsible for communicating your choices. If you do not let Mrs. Mize know your second choice if your first choice does not make, then you will be placed on the local community service course.

Rules and regulations

All students in grades 6-12 must participate in a SPARC course. Any student who has not already registered for a course will register for a SPARC course in October.

• FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS- SPARC courses are designed by grade level. Students in grades 6-8 will either choose their class trip or the local course offering(s) for middle school students.
• Some upper school local courses allow 8^th grade students to participate.
• Middle school students may only travel on an upper school trip with the approval of the middle school principal and they must be accompanied by a parent.
• The dates official dates of SPARC are March 2^nd through March 6^th, 2020. SPARC days are considered academic days in our school calendar. The Brook Hill attendance policy applies during SPARC; this includes the policy for parent request and college visit days. Each unexcused absence from a SPARC program will count toward the yearly allowance.
• Once a student has been placed in a course, changes may not be made after December 13^th, 2019. Therefore, it is imperative that the student and parent discuss cost options for SPARC courses. Please do not register for a course if all course requirements, including costs, cannot be met.
• Individual SPARC courses will not be allowed; such courses do not meet the goal of small group interaction. All students should choose a SPARC course from the courses provided. A student choosing an alternative program will have to use his/her parent request days (limited to three days per year).
• If, due to extenuating circumstances, a student must be taken out of a course, The Brook Hill School will do everything we can to reimburse any money paid toward the course. However, there are times when we cannot guarantee a refund if certain items such as plane tickets, hotel reservations, etc. have already been purchased.

Contact information

SPARC Coordinator- Jessica Mize

Phone: 903-894-5000 ext. 1101

Email: jmize@brookhill.org