SPARC Resources
Student Personalized Academic Resource Coordination (SPARC) is a program designed to serve students with special and gifted needs.
The SPARC Program
The SPARC program serves a broad spectrum of learners with special and gifted needs in an inclusive academic setting that enables students to reach their full potential. A commitment to differentiated instruction allows us to meet students’ needs as we recognize each individual student as an independent learner, building on strengths while ensuring mastery of the grade-level curriculum and beyond. Students who qualify for accommodations under the American Disabilities Act (ADA) can access a 504 plan at Chestnut Hill Academy. Students who have demonstrated academic support or gifted needs will be considered for SPARC resources. SPARC resources are accessed in the classroom through the coordination and monitoring of a support plan for eligible students.
SPARC Resources
The SPARC program serves a broad spectrum of learners with special and gifted needs in an inclusive academic setting that enables students to reach their full potential. A commitment to differentiated instruction allows us to meet students’ needs as we recognize each individual student as an independent learner, building on strengths while ensuring mastery of the grade-level curriculum and beyond. Students who qualify for accommodations under the American Disabilities Act (ADA) can access a 504 plan at Chestnut Hill Academy. Students who have demonstrated academic support or gifted needs will be considered for SPARC resources. SPARC resources are accessed in the classroom through the coordination and monitoring of a support plan for eligible students.
SPARC Resources FAQ's
- Who is eligible?
- What is the legal framework behind SPARC resources?
- Is SPARC Resources a pull-out program?
- Will my student be paired with other SPARC students during instruction?
- What is the difference between a SPARC and a non-SPARC student?
- Does SPARC offer a social-emotional component?
- Can you share which students are part of the SPARC Resources program so we can connect?
- What if the classroom teacher is not able to meet the needs of my child?
- What types of accommodations can Chestnut Hill Academy support if my child is eligible?
- How do you meet the needs of identified gifted students at Chestnut Hill?
- Where can I find more resources on neurodivergence?
Who is eligible?
The Student Personalized Academic Resource Coordination (SPARC) program was developed to serve students with special and gifted needs. Students with current test results conducted by a licensed Educational Psychologists will be eligible for consultation with the SPARC program administrator to determine if interventions are appropriate.
What is the legal framework behind SPARC resources?
The American Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against individuals based on disability and requires access to reasonable accommodations in all public places, including independent schools. Reasonable accommodations are defined as those which do not fundamentally alter the nature of the school’s program or create an undue burden on the school. To learn more about the American Disabilities Act, please visit www.ada.gov.
Is SPARC Resources a pull-out program?
The goal of our SPARC Resources program is to meet the needs of each student within the context of providing instruction in an inclusive classroom environment, and as such is not a pull-out program. To accomplish these goals, our teachers have access to several tools, including but not limited to differentiated curriculum both at and above grade-level, lesson extensions and enrichment opportunities, modification of intensity and rigor, and the modification of expectations. Pull-out programs are often designed to place the student in a small class setting, which already exists at CHA.
Will my student be paired with other SPARC students during instruction?
Students at CHA are paired based on capability, work habits, and maturity, regardless of their SPARC status. As a result, some instructional peers may be part of SPARC, while others will not. This is to create an inclusive environment. Each classroom teacher endeavors to meet the needs of all students, so while some families have elected to not pursue testing, their child, based on demonstrated abilities, will be provided with instruction consistent with their aptitude and needs.
What is the difference between a SPARC and a non-SPARC student?
SPARC students have undergone Psychoeducational Assessments to identify needs unique to that student. For students with learning differences, SPARC helps to create and implement a 504 Plan that helps identify and guide classroom accommodations to ensure academic and social success. For students with highly capable evaluations, the Cognitive Assessment and report will guide the instructional staff in developing accommodations to ensure that the student continues to be challenged academically within the classroom.
Does SPARC offer a social-emotional component?
Students do not need to be part of the SPARC program to receive social-emotional support. All CHA students practice social-emotional skills throughout the day as part of our school’s mission to create an environment where children become educated global-leaders, problem solvers, and life-long learners. All CHA students begin building social-emotional skills in kindergarten with our Superhero Social Thinking and Second Step Curriculum.
Can you share which students are part of the SPARC Resources program so we can connect?
Your participation in SPARC and details about your student are considered confidential information and are shared internally with faculty and staff to the extent necessary to provide instruction and meet the needs of the student. If you are seeking resources to build relationships and community with families with similar interests and questions, CHA can share recommendations for online resources and peer groups matched to your family’s needs.
What if the classroom teacher is not able to meet the needs of my child?
With access to a wealth of resources, it is uncommon for us to be unable to meet the academic and social needs of students within the classroom environment. However, if teacher input, assessments, or formal and informal observations indicate that a student’s needs cannot be met in the classroom, we will schedule a meeting to discuss alternative options. These include, but are not limited to, working with an instructional assistant, tutoring, or recommending an outside specialist for Occupational, Vision, Speech, or other therapy.
What types of accommodations can Chestnut Hill Academy support if my child is eligible?
Chestnut Hill Academy uses the recommended accommodations from an Educational Psychologist as the basis for a support plan. We can support accommodations such as:
- Extended testing time
- Preferential seating
- More frequent breaks
We cannot support on-site related services, such as occupational therapy, speech language therapy or mental health counseling. We are also unable to provide toileting assistance. If you have questions on the scope of support Chestnut Hill Academy can provide, please email Chelsea Roberts.
How do you meet the needs of identified gifted students at Chestnut Hill?
CHA offers accelerated curriculum for math (K-5th) and ELA (1st-5th) and continued teacher training on implementing best practices for gifted education. Our approach to gifted education is guided by the National Association of Gifted Children’s Gifted Programming Standards, which are considered best practices in gifted education.
With our approach to curriculum and instruction, most gifted students can have their needs met in the general education classroom. In some cases, a student may not be significantly challenged by the subject curriculum in their classroom. Students who have demonstrated the need for gifted support that extends beyond what is available in the general education classroom may be eligible for a support plan to provide more individualized gifted intervention upon the review of classwork, assessment data and other factors.
Where can I find more resources on neurodivergence?
SPARC Testing
SPARC Testing FAQs
- Will CHA screen the student body as a whole?
- Why do I need to submit a full testing report as part of the application process?
- What specific tests are required?
- Can I submit a different intelligence or achievement test in place of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale test?
- Do the tests expire? How often should we have our child retested?
- Is there a list of CHA approved Educational Psychologists?
- My child has been tested by a licensed Educational Psychologist. Where should I submit the results?
- I submitted my child’s evaluation report and test results. What comes next?
Will CHA screen the student body as a whole?
No. Testing is tailored to the needs of the individual student based on the judgment of an Educational Psychologist. Families who have recent test results or are considering testing would independently provide those results to the SPARC program. A complete report summary should be included as part of any assessment submission.
To be considered for SPARC resources, testing must have been completed in the last two years. If a child has already completed full battery testing prior to enrolling at Chestnut Hill Academy, the family may submit the evaluation to be considered for a support plan. To best meet the needs of students during a time of rapid childhood development, Chestnut Hill Academy reserves the right to require updated full battery testing should a submitted test evaluation be from more than two years prior.
Why do I need to submit a full testing report as part of the application process?
The full testing report offers valuable insights that inform our review of the testing results. These often include a narrative of how the child presented on the day of testing, the perceived effort and attention that was given to the tests, and any additional professional observations to understand the validity and rigor of the testing. The full report also generally gives us valuable insights into each child’s learning profile and relevant academic and/or developmental history which help to guide our team in recommending the most effective instruction.
What specific tests are required?
A neuropsychologist will design the battery of tests based on the specific concerns raised by the family and on their medical evaluation. The specific subtests and individual evaluation can vary based on the age of the student and desired objectives for learning. Additionally, most neuropsychologists provide examinations for neurocognitive mediators and a variety of other factors that can moderate abilities. Any tests conducted and recommended by a neuropsychologist are considered relevant for SPARC evaluation.
Can I submit a different intelligence or achievement test in place of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale test?
Do the tests expire? How often should we have our child retested?
Is there a list of CHA approved Educational Psychologists?
Currently, we are accepting test results from any licensed Educational Psychologist. This will provide families with the flexibility to choose the specialist that best fits their needs. Please refer to the following list of local licensed psychologists should you need a recommendation:
Eastside Psychological Associates - Dr. Reilly, 8226 Bracken Place SE Ste 200, Snoqualmie, WA 98065, (425) 427-2474
Cadence Therapy - Milani Smith, 5210 Carillon Point Kirkland, WA 98033 (425) 658-3200
Cindy Dupuy - 9725 SE 36th St., Ste. 206. Mercer Island, 98040, (425) 378-7634
Kinderminds - Liz Smith, 800 Bellevue Way NE Bellevue, WA 98004 (425) 301-1816
Eastside Neuropsychology PLLC - Jessica Horsfall, Ph.D.1215 120th Avenue NE, Suite 104 Bellevue, WA 98005, phone (425) 761-8928, fax (208) 439-7406 web jessicahorsfall.wix.com/phd
Dr. Connie K. Craig - Clinical Psychologist, 7464 W. Mercer Way, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Sandbox Therapy Group - 102 E Main St, Suite #7, Monroe, WA 98272, (425) 558-0558
My child has been tested by a licensed Educational Psychologist. Where should I submit the results?
Test results and evaluation reports should be submitted to sparc@chestnuthillacademy.com