Innovation in Action News

Ignite students working at flexible furniture

Ignite, a new program at Spring Lake Park High School that started at the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year for 130 ninth grade students, focuses on personalized learning for each student in the program and building authentic relationships between students and teachers.

Ignite, a new program at Spring Lake Park High School that started at the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year for 130 ninth grade students, focuses on personalized learning for each student in the program and building authentic relationships between students and teachers.

Ignite is taught by the same four teachers all year long: Shannah Anderson, language arts; Jennifer Craft, math; Sally Holmgren, science; and Scott Wicklund, social studies. Students were randomly selected for this program and represent all ability levels. Students in this program have the same core courses and learning objectives as other ninth grade students, but they are given more freedom in when and how they learn.

This research-based program was created to think differently about how to more effectively engage students and to personalize learning for each student.

This unique program allows for flexible learning and gives students the freedom and independence to have a choice of when and where they learn, while also allowing them to go to any of the four teachers for one-on-one help if they need it. Having independence teaches the students responsibility to become a self-directed learner and empowers them to reach their personal and academic potential.

Throughout the first year of the program, the Ignite teachers have been making changes and improvements in the program to ensure all students succeed no matter where they are academically.

“When our students go to a university or trade school, this program gives them the opportunity to be successful and thrive right off the bat, and it’s all because they will have gained those independent skills,” said Ignite social studies teacher Scott Wicklund.

Click here to watch how the Ignite program is using research-based teaching and creative scheduling to place a greater emphasis on personalized learning for each student.

  • Personalized Learning
  • Spring Lake Park High School