Eastern Cape - Spark Schools TEDx
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A new concept is taking South Africa by storm… quality private education that costs less than an average government school.

 

The children of South Africa deserve an education that best serves their needs without any compromise! And now there’s a school that offers everything that a private institution offers, for less than what a South African would pay for an average government school tuition.

SPARK Schools is a network of private primary schools that provide high-quality education at an affordable cost.

“We believe that every child should have the opportunity to succeed academically and to develop holistically. We are united in one mission: Every SPARK scholar should have the opportunity to go to university and to enter a career of their choice.”

“Our combination of traditional classroom teaching and technology-based learning in our Learning Labs allows our scholars to achieve globally competitive academic results.”

“Our scholars perform well above national average for their grades. Data from each child’s technology-based learning is fed back to the teacher, allowing them to cater to the child’s individual needs.”

Government school costs vary between R5 000 to R30 000 per year depending on the area and the school. While current private schools start anywhere from R50 000 and can escalate to over R150 000 per year.

Business Tech reported that an average tuition at a South African Government School costs around R19 500  per year without all the “extra stationery, sporting and curricular activities”.

But SPARK Schools only cost R19 100 for a school year, all inclusive, for a private education!

“At SPARK Schools, we provide high quality education at an affordable cost. Beyond monthly tuition, we aim to limit the amount of extra costs to SPARK scholars and their families. Monthly tuition is the total cost for your child to attend SPARK Schools, including daily sport, computer-based practice, and enrichment activities during the extended school day (08h00 to 16h00).”

The state of South African education is stark, with South Africa consistently ranked among the worst performing education systems in the world. While pursuing an MBA at Gordon Institute of Business Science, SPARK Schools co-founders Stacey Brewer and Ryan Harrison decided that, instead of waiting for others to create the change in education, it was up to them to do so.

Ryan and Stacey wanted to create schools where they would be proud and confident enough to send their own children.

Although Ryan and Stacey did not have experience in the education sector, they believed that their fresh approach to education combined with their business acumen would offer a sustainable, high quality solution to the education crisis in South Africa.

SPARK Schools was born, with a mission to provide access to high quality education for all South Africans through the accessibility of affordable education.

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SPARK Schools is a network of primary schools dedicated to delivering accessible, high quality education. SPARK Ferndale, the first school in the SPARK Schools network, opened in 2013, and achieved tremendous academic results in its first year of operation.

Following on this success, the SPARK team opened SPARK Cresta in 2014, SPARK Maboneng and SPARK Bramley in 2015, and SPARK Midrand, SPARK Lynedoch (Stellenbosch), SPARK Rynfield and SPARK Centurion in 2016.

In January 2017 the network will grow to eleven schools with SPARK Randpark Ridge, SPARK Silver Lakes and SPARK Carlswald.

“Our vision at SPARK Schools is to open new schools each year throughout South Africa.”

South African parents deserve better educational opportunities for their children. So, we’re not stopping in Johannesburg– SPARK is spreading to cities and communities across South Africa to ensure that all South African children have access to a world-leading education.

And the parents of scholars cannot stop expressing their love for the new South African schools.

“I love SPARK, what they stand for, and that they follow through on their ideals, philosophies, and promises to the children and to the parents. They are not just a school, but a place of happiness and growth to invest in.” – Cheryl Clacher, SPARK Ferndale Parent

“The teachers are focused on the learners, and they go above and beyond what is expected of them. The experience has been absolute amazing from the beginning. We have been welcomed with open arms and truly feel part of the SPARK family.” Desiree Raggo, – SPARK Cresta Parent

“As a parent, SPARK treats you with respect and as part of the family, not just a “number” in the school system. SPARK operates with an “open door” policy. “ – Jeannette Saayman, SPARK Ferndale Parent

All SPARK schools across the country are having an open day on the 14 January 2017 which will allow you to see the schools and find out if they have availability for your child. To see the full list of schools, click here.


Sources: Spark Schools | Business Tech
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Brent Lindeque is the founder and editor in charge at Good Things Guy.

Recognised as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s as well as a Primedia LeadSA Hero, Brent is a change maker, thought leader, radio host, foodie, vlogger, writer and all round good guy.

71 comments

    1. Good Morning– We are not currently in the Somerset West area. Please visit our website (www.sparkschools.co.za) for a list of all our schools in Gauteng and the Western Cape. We plan to open 4 schools per year across the country and encourage you to follow our Facebook page to stay up-to-date on our newest locations. Thank you for your support!

    1. Good Morning– Please visit our website (www.sparkschools.co.za) for a list of all our schools in Gauteng and the Western Cape. We plan to open 4 schools per year across the country and encourage you to follow our Facebook page to stay up-to-date on our newest locations. Thank you for your support!

      1. I am Canadian, born in South Africa. Many teaching contracts in various countries. I am very interested in SPARK Schools. Please send me your requirements.

        Many thanks,

        Darrel Stuart-Walker.

        1. Do you sell franchises of Spark Schools? I’m an ex government teacher who wants to start a private school in Lichtenburg,North West.

    1. Good Morning– Please visit our website (www.sparkschools.co.za) for a list of all our schools in Gauteng and the Western Cape. We plan to open 4 schools per year across the country and encourage you to follow our Facebook page to stay up-to-date on our newest locations. Our closest schools to Roodepoort currently are SPARK Cresta and SPARK Randpark Ridge. Thank you for your support!

  1. When would a school such as this be opening in Cape Town? Specifically Tableview area? Looks very promising and what we need in this area.

    1. Good Morning– Please visit our website (www.sparkschools.co.za) for a list of all our schools in Gauteng and the Western Cape. We plan to open 4 schools per year across the country and encourage you to follow our Facebook page to stay up-to-date on our newest locations. Thank you for your support!

    1. Good Morning– SPARK Rynfield (Benoni) is closest to Edenvale. Please visit our website (www.sparkschools.co.za) for a list of all our schools in Gauteng and the Western Cape. We plan to open 4 schools per year across the country and encourage you to follow our Facebook page to stay up-to-date on our newest locations. Thank you for your support!

    1. Good Morning– SPARK Rynfield (Benoni) is closest to Germiston. Please visit our website (www.sparkschools.co.za) for a list of all our schools in Gauteng and the Western Cape. We plan to open 4 schools per year across the country and encourage you to follow our Facebook page to stay up-to-date on our newest locations. Thank you for your support!

  2. Excellent idea, an hearty well done! We look forward to your opening in the Blouberg community, we too are in desperate need of additional schools.

    1. Good Morning– Please visit our website (www.sparkschools.co.za) for a list of all our schools in Gauteng and the Western Cape. We plan to open 4 schools per year across the country and encourage you to follow our Facebook page to stay up-to-date on our newest locations. Thank you for your support!

    1. Hello Ubenesha, we currently have one school in the Western Cape in Lynedoch outside of Stellenbosch. Our vision is to open new schools each year throughout South Africa. Please keep following us for updates on our future locations.

  3. Well done Spark Schools-wishing you super success and a national rollout.
    For schools struggling with underperformance due to lack of school managemen, leadership and skills get onto the billionchild.org national parent training programmes-great results

  4. How do you cater for asynchronous learners (intellectually gifted and talented / giftedness) in your school?
    CPT Southern Suburbs could benefit

  5. Both my boys attend Sparks and I can honestly vouch that they are fantastic. The level of education is amazing and the love and care they show is unbelievable. I would recommend Sparks anytime.Well done Team and thank you for the past two years looking forward to this year as my boy are excited to start school so am I. Imogan Beukes (proud Sparks School parent)

  6. Lovely concept clearly by the request for additional schools and what I’ve seen on your informative website. Are there any plans to bring your school offering to the South of Johannesburg area i.e. Mondeor, Ridgeway, Bassonia, Ormonde, Meredale areas soon?

  7. Hello, am currently looking for a school for my son next year. He wil be doing grade one. Am looking for a good school yet not expensive. Am staying in Pretoria West, where in Centurion are u based.

  8. When will a spark school be opened in the south of Johannesburg.. ?? (Ormonde, naturena, mondeor?

    1. When will a spark school be opened in the south of Johannesburg (Ormonde, naturena, mondeo or maybe suggest the nearest Spark School nearby

  9. Hallo good People. Consider bringing Spark school in Pretoria North. There is ample space and it is relatively quiet. Elementary Schools are not enough in this area and lots of children travel far for schooling. Assomblief tog!

    1. Hi Ntlaletseng

      They opening one in Theresa Park in 2018 if you interested . Cater for grade R to 3 applications opened .

  10. When are you opening a Spark school in Secunda, Mpumalanga? We do not have enough private schools (only 3) …. there’s a great need for affordable, quality, education.

  11. I see all your schools are currently primary schools only. Do you have plans to expand into secondary schooling arena in the future?

  12. I’m in a process of transferring to Gauteng, I’m not sure if I’ll buy in Pta or Jhb & that will affect the location of my kids school. In the meantime please email me your schools in Jhb & pta

  13. I really loved and enjoyed last year’s of my daughter at spark school. Unfortunately we had to move down to Cape town and couldn’t find any school like spark. It would be great if we can have Spark school in Blouberg/Table view as Stellenbosch is too far. the curriculum is the best.my daughter is the only one who can read in her class and way too advance with what they’re learni g now and to top it off shell be assessed for Grade 2 as she’s done most of the things last year in grade R…thanks once again to Spark ackools

  14. I’m excited about Spark schools. My son started grade 4 at Spark from a Catholic school. His maths mark was 36% now he is at 90+%. I love your teaching methong and professionalism of your teachers! You did the best for me and would be your marketing rep. Thank you for the schoold and please grow with them to grade 12. I love Spark…

  15. Iam looking for the school for my child and iam a single mother of 3kidz,can u please help me he is in government primary school.7 yearsold .iam earning 8000 per month pls i need a brighter futher for my son pls help and God bless u

  16. Hi I’m looking for a school for my child we are relocating so I’m looking for a school around durban central she is going for trade 7 class. Please help me

  17. Hi iam Mpai nale I would like to know are going to open your school in Rusternburg when we are also intrested in your school if you opened please imform me on this number 0832100755. Rusternburg its a big place we want better education for our children

  18. Hi any spark school in cape town around cumulative area interested to enrol my two boys grade 2 & grade 5. Is there a high school for my daughter for 2018 in cape town.

  19. I think we need it in Port Elizabeth. I am willing to take on that challenge. Please !! I have brilliant teachers that I can bring with me.

  20. Hi guys please bring Spark branch in Sinoville, Pretoria. I Desperately need a quality primary education for my grade 4 daughter. this is a sentiment shared by a number of parents as the area has only one over-crowded English primary school surrounded by only laerskools.

  21. When are you gonna open spark school in emalahleni as we speak now am struggling to get admission for my child for grade r yet i applied early last year so frustrated

  22. Are there any teaching vacancies? I would like to be part of your esteemed academic institutions. To be able to tutor, mentor and nurture children into the best they can be.

  23. Is there a future plan for Edenvale having a Sparks school that teaches for grades higher than Grade 3 ??

  24. Hello, I would like to apply for a teaching vacancy in your Spark School. Please can you send me a form or the requirements and or an e-mail address where I can attach my CV. I am a well experienced Primary School Teacher.

  25. I’m looking for a cheap boarding school for my daughter in Johannesburg or Pretoria she’s going for grade 7

  26. When are you opening one in KZN(Durban).My sister’s kids do go to the one in Rynfield.Love the results but i cant relocate.

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