The inspiration to start Spark came from the experiences that co-founders Chris Balme and Melia Dicker had as students themselves. They were eager for learning opportunities outside the classroom, and wished that school were more relevant to their interests. They watched many of their peers disengage from school, and others graduate college without knowing how to make their dreams happen—or even understanding what those dreams were.

Later, as teachers, tutors, and after-school leaders, Chris and Melia began to study learning programs that empower students to discover and pursue their passions. They visited schools around the country and around the world, researching these student-centered, community-based approaches to education. Finally, in 2004 they founded Spark. Spark is built around one-on-one apprenticeships, with a mission of inspiring middle-school youth to pursue their interests, create bonds with their communities, and develop a lifelong passion for learning.

In 2005, Spark’s pilot summer session in Redwood City, CA, graduated 11 students, who each completed an apprenticeship in a field of interest, from aviation to medicine to interior design. The results of the pilot program showed that Spark participants gained in self-confidence and self-awareness, and felt more able to pursue the learning opportunities that most interested them. Graduates significantly increased their awareness of the resources available to them--community resources such as libraries, and human resources such as their own personal connections – and were more confident in drawing on these resources to enrich their learning.

Building on this success, and with the encouragement of local families, schools, foundations and other supporters, Spark has grown significantly, adding an after-school component in 2006, a second Redwood City site in 2007, and two additional Redwood City sites in Spring 2008. While continuing to grow in Redwood City, Spark also began two programs for San Francisco youth in Fall 2008. Throughout this growth, Spark’s core approach remains the same: to enable students to develop as leaders and learners as they pursue a personal learning interest through a hands-on apprenticeship.

 

Jessica's Spark Story

During her summer apprenticeship, Jessica learned the arts of cooking and pastry-making with her Apprentice Teacher.