News

Geneva, Ohio – February 7, 2012: SPIRE Institute is pleased to announce a new partnership that will advance the organization’s mission to integrate sports and education, training and learning, performance and competition like no where else. SPIRE’s plan to offer a 9-12^th grade sports academy is a reality due to the newly formed affiliation with Andrews Osborne Academy—a premier, academic institution.  Andrews Osborne Academy is a college prep, co-educational day and boarding school located in nearby Willoughby, Ohio. 

SPIRE, which is launching a post-graduate (PG) sports training academy in Fall 2012, initially planned to launch its own integrated high school and sports training program in the Fall 2013. However, due to the Andrews Osborne Academy (AOA) commitment to form this unique collaboration, SPIRE has accelerated its plans and will be able to immediately begin enrolling high school students for the 2012-13 school year.

SPIRE Academy provides Michael Johnson Performance athletic development, alongside sports specific training with world-class coaches in swimming, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and track & field. This is the first time a sports academy has ever offered this combination of sports training programs.

“While the 750,000 sq. ft. of indoor athletic facilities at SPIRE are the best I have ever seen,” said Ted Meekma, SPIRE Management Team, “the key to our success lies with the people we have hired, and the programs we have created. I’m pleased that the experienced professionals at AOA understood our vision and wanted to partner with us in offering a world-class sports training and education experience. We are very fortunate to have the educational leadership of Chuck Roman, their head of school, and exceptional faculty and staff join us.”

Founded over 100 years ago, Andrews Osborne Academy is recognized nationally, as well as around the globe, as a premier college prep, day and boarding academy. The school educates nearly 400 students annually from 47 Ohio cities, 10 states and 19 countries. The beautiful campus includes over 300 acres.  As the academic partner for SPIRE Institute, AOA will offer rigorous yet flexible prep school courses, allowing young high school athletes the opportunity to attend intensive training programs at SPIRE, travel and compete at the highest levels.

AOA’s Head of School, Charles Roman states, “In everything we do, we are committed to excellence and to the growth and development of our students. We share SPIRE’s vision to provide a supportive environment that encourages students to achieve both on and off the field. Together, SPIRE and AOA will build the leadership skills, enrich the depth of character, and prepare young athletes to compete at elite universities and playing fields around the world.”

Lastly, being an international boarding academy, AOA will be able to process the I-20 form to allow international students to receive an F1 Student Visa to attend SPIRE. This qualification allows SPIRE Institute to attract both national and international student athletes. All high school boarding students will live at AOA in one of the school’s seven dormitories among the academy’s nearly 100 boarding students.

Ron Clutter, Founder/CEO of SPIRE commented, “One of the goals of SPIRE is to spearhead growth and development throughout Northeast Ohio. The fact that two outstanding regional organizations like SPIRE Institute and Andrews Osborne Academy can come together to create a new program with national and international reach is truly phenomenal.”