Enrichment Program

SPARC – Scholars Pursuing Academics, Responsibility, and Creativity

Ascension’s NEW enrichment program launching Fall of 2026.

Students will qualify for SPARC through a multi-assessment process where students must meet or exceed the qualifying score in 3 out of 4 criteria. 

• Area 1: General Mental Ability (CogAT)
• Area 2: Academic Ability (Reading and Math using iReady and/or NWEA)
• Area 3: Creativity, Reasoning, & Problem Solving Ability
  (Kingore Observation Inventory Activities)
• Area 4: Rating Scales of Cognitive Ability, Creative/Artistic Ability, and Social-Emotional Skills (GRS 2)

Student Screening: 

• Annually, after both the winter and spring iReady and NWEA benchmark assessments, scores will be reviewed for all students in grades 1-7.
• Annually, all 3rd grade students will be administered the CogAT during the spring semester. 
• Annually, all 1st grade students will be given 4 Kingore Activities during the spring semester. 
• Students who meet the criteria in these areas will then move on to be assessed in the remaining areas. 
• Qualifying students will enter the program during August and January. 

Kindergarten and First Grade: Enrichment will be provided to all students during quarterly push-in lessons. 

Second-Fifth Grade: Enrichment will be provided to qualifying students through two split classrooms of 2nd/3rd and 4th/5th. Students will attend SPARC on one set letter day of the week. 

• Students will attend special area classes with their homerooms. 
• Students will attend lunch and recess with their grade-level/homeroom. 
• Students will be exempt from making up classwork/homework missed while attending SPARC.

Sixth-Eighth Grade: Enrichment will be provided to qualifying students during one study hall each week.  

*Students who currently attend Rockwood CCL or Parkway Mosaics will attend the public school program OR the SPARC Program.