SPIRE

Esports

SPIRE Academy | Esports

SPIRE Academy’s esports division offers a high school program featuring a variety of esports titles. This ground-breaking Academy program is designed to provide each student with the experience, knowledge and skillset to pursue collegiate esports or a career in a variety of related fields. SPIRE provides a full academy style learning program, in-depth, in-game training, comprehensive industry information, hands on curriculum, personal coaching and skill development and world class health/wellness training/support with the student earning a high school degree.

At SPIRE, students receive a complete support structure every step of the way, resulting in a healthier gamer with better student outcomes and complete administrative support as they begin exploring their collegiate and career options. SPIRE Academy esports is grounded in the belief that young players require the best possible support. Career burn out, long term injuries and health problems can be rooted in the many hours gamers put in without formal structure around their training early in their careers. As such, players need support in their health, diet and mental health before they make it to college or the professional leagues. The high school (and postgraduate) program prepares students for admission into a college program or direct placement into the workforce upon graduation.

SPIRE esports emphasizes extreme ownership, a proactive and curious mindset, and equips students with the tools to succeed both in and out of game. Non-traditional learners benefit from hands-on and individualized study regimens and a different engagement approach through gaming, technology and esports.

Each year of instruction serves as a standalone session to ensure that enrollment is open to all high school age students with a curriculum that evolves with the industry and incorporates lessons and feedback from education and industry partners. Esports is a rapidly changing business, and a growth mindset is important not only for students but for SPIRE as an institution.

All incoming students complete coursework in the core components of esports. Business, sports management, in game strategy, economics, branding, marketing, online behavior, analytics and more are woven into a comprehensive curriculum. Even if only attending for a single year, each student will gain direct experience in both theory and practice within these forward-thinking industries. For post grads there will be a special bootcamp session designed explicitly for college preparedness, resume building and networking with collegiate coaches and experts.

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Download The Admissions Guide
  • Esports, Robotics, Drone Racing & VR/Mixed Reality Electives

    Esports

    • Activities are focused on competitions, training students in specific gameplay, and additional instruction to bolster their career track.

    Robotics

    • Program offers extensive shop time, providing the hands-on experience and resources to develop skills in building, programming and operating robots.

    Drone Racing

    • Opportunities include extensive FPV racing and training, national league events on campus and throughout Ohio, as well as drone design, fabrication and engineering.

    VR Esports & Mixed Reality

    • Offering all students a program focused on fitness-based esports, as well as a mixed-reality educational toolkit for technology and academic studies.

  • Esports Industry Professional Program

    This is recommended for players with experience in League of Legends, Overwatch, Valorant and Counter Strike. The esports program emphasizes college and professional career preparation, including how to best manage social media and mental health. One-on-one coaching complements each student’s experience. SPIRE’s staff are working with colleges interested in the esports and gaming space to develop coursework and class offerings that align with the anticipated growth of esports within the collegiate environment.

  • Evening & Weekend Activities

    Evening and weekend activities include local and regional competitions, solo and group projects as well as deep dives across subjects and disciplines. These activities will captivate students through innovative technologies, providing a compelling means to advanced learning. The focus is on “doing” rather than coursework.

  • SPIRE's Unique Training Facilities

    • Fabrication Lab/Workshop
    • Esports Arena and Production Space
    • Indoor/Outdoor Drone Racing Arena
    • Drone Racing Sim Lab
    • VR/Mixed-Reality Lab

TEAM ESPORTS AT SPIRE

ROBERT SKINNION

Esports

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Academics, Personal Development and Career Exploration

Academics

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College & Career

Counseling

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Esports

Camps

Learn More

Campus

Life

Learn More

Athletic

Development

Learn More

Personal

Development

Learn More

  • Tell me about the educational delivery model.

    SPIRE Academy provides in person inquiry, mastery based learning. Students focus on group projects, presentation and other ways to demonstrate students master the curriculum. 

    SPIRE’s learning environment balances academic and athletic training and development that nurture personal growth and stimulate the desire to challenge oneself.

    Teachers guide and facilitate learning through engaging, hands-on activities, creative and critical thinking skills, and classroom dialogue.

  • Do you offer day programs or is it only boarding options?

    SPIRE Academy offers a day student option for local students who can commute to campus. Day students receive all the same benefits as boarding students but live at home instead of in SPIRE’s Student Village.

  • How good do I have to be in my sport?

    SPIRE accepts athletes of varying ability, but they all have one thing in common.  They come to SPIRE because they have the heart and desire to become better student athletes.  SPIRE student athletes come from various competitive backgrounds and all have different goals they want to achieve while here and beyond, whether it is to continue their sport after high school or beyond.

  • What does a day look like?

    Academy Sample Schedule:

    6:00am-7:00am Breakfast
    7:00am – 8:50am – Block 1
    9:00am – 10:50am Block 2
    10:50am – 11:50am Lunch
    12:00pm -1:50pm Block 3
    2:00pm – 3:50pm Block 4
    4:00pm – 5:50pm Block 5
    6:00pm-7:15pm Dinner

    Depending on the individual coaches periodization, athletes may train once or twice a day. Performance would also be flexible as to where it falls during the day (and how many days per week) as well.

  • Where do student athletes live on campus? Will I have a roommate?

    SPIRE Boarding Students live in the SPIRE SPIRE Village which consists of three styles of dorms. Most of the dorms are like mini homes with single used bathrooms and large family room.

    Yes, most students have two students per room, some students might have up to 3 students in a room. 

  • How much is the tuition?

    Day rates are different than boarding rates please contact us for more information [email protected].

  • How does SPIRE assist with college planning and placement?

    At SPIRE, we believe that the college planning and placement process is one of the most important aspects of Academy life—and you can’t start this process too early! 

    Our college planning process begins freshman year and only concludes when a student has graduated from college or chosen and achieved their goals on a different path.  

    SPIRE works with student athletes to find a university that is a good fit academically, athletically and socially.  Students are taught how to search for colleges and universities with their intended major as well as their desired sport using the guidance of their coaches, teachers and advisors.  This includes how to communicate with schools and coaches, fill out the Common Application and other applications, including filing FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

  • What are the benefits of a Post Grad year?

    Students come for Post Grad year to train and develop at a higher level with aspirations of higher level of recruiting success. The students have a better understanding of what it takes to get to the collegiate level.

  • Racial Nondiscriminatory Policy

    The governing board of SPIRE Academy located at 5201 SPIRE Circle in Geneva, Ohio 44041 has adopted the following racial nondiscriminatory policies.

    SPIRE Academy recruits and admits students of any race, color or ethnic origin to all its rights, privileges, programs and activities. In addition, SPIRE Academy will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

    SPIRE Academy will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or ethnic origin in the hiring of its certified or non-certified personnel.

  • Does SPIRE offer scholarships and financial assistance?

    SPIRE offers a limited amount of financial aid. Recipients are selected based on academics, athletics, character and financial review. For more information, please reference our admissions page.

  • Where can I find additional information about living at SPIRE Academy?

    Click here to find all resources related to living on the SPIRE Campus.

  • Is the Admissions process competitive?

    SPIRE evaluates each student individually to determine if they are a good fit. The admissions process includes submitting an official transcript, letters of recommendation from an English teacher, a math teacher, and a principal or coach; completing an interview with an admissions manager and a sports coach; and submitting a completed application.

    Each applicant is reviewed by the Admissions Committee to determine if they meet SPIRE admissions requirements.

  • Does SPIRE Academy offer scholarships?

    SPIRE offers financial assistance for families who qualify. All families are reviewed on a case by case basis.  Families must complete the Clarity financial aid application. Please access through our admissions department.

  • Do you have any other question or need additional help with admissions?

    Please contact our Admissions Department at [email protected]

  • When is the deadline to apply?

    Application for 2026 – 2027 will open in August of 2025. SPIRE works on rolling admission for the 2025-2026 school year, however, dorm and team roster availability may be limited. 

  • Would participation in a post grad year affect my four-year NCAA eligibility?

    No, a post graduate year does not affect NCAA eligibility.

For more information about

SPIRE Academy, view our resource center

SPIRE

ESPORTS


BOARDING SCHOOL

SPIRE Academy’s esports offers a high school and post grad program featuring a variety of esports titles. This ground-breaking esports program is designed to provide each student with the experience, knowledge and skillset to pursue collegiate esports or a career in a variety of related fields.

SPIRE provides a full academy style learning program, in-depth, in-game training, comprehensive industry information, hands on curriculum, personal coaching and skill development and world class health/wellness training/support with the student earning a high school degree.

At SPIRE, students receive a complete support structure every step of the way, resulting in a healthier gamer with better student outcomes and complete administrative support as they begin exploring their collegiate and career options.

SPIRE Academy Esports is grounded in the belief that young players require the best possible support. Career burn out, long term injuries and health problems can be rooted in the many hours gamers put in without formal structure around their training early in their careers. As such, players need support in their health, diet and mental health before they make it to college or the professional leagues. The high school (and postgrad) program prepares students for admission into a college program or direct placement into the workforce upon graduation.

SPIRE Esports emphasizes extreme ownership, a proactive and curious mindset, and equips students with the tools to succeed both in and out of game. Non-traditional learners benefit from hands-on and individualized study regimens and a different engagement approach through gaming, technology and esports.

Each year of instruction serves as a standalone session to ensure that enrollment is open to all high school age students with a curriculum that evolves with the industry and incorporates lessons and feedback from education and industry partners. Esports is a rapidly changing business, and a growth mindset is important not only for students but for SPIRE as an institution.

All incoming students complete coursework in the core components of esports to achieve comprehensive curriculum:

  • Business
  • Sports management
  • In-game strategy
  • Economics
  • Branding
  • Marketing
  • Online behavior
  • Analytics and more

Even if only attending for a single year, each student will gain direct experience in both theory and practice within these forward-thinking industries. For post grads there will be a special bootcamp session designed explicitly for college preparedness, resume building and networking with collegiate coaches and experts.

KEY FEATURES

  • Esports, Robotics, Drone Racing & VR/Mixed Reality Electives

    Esports

    • Activities are focused on competitions, training students in specific gameplay, and additional instruction to bolster their career track.

    Robotics

    • Program offers extensive shop time, providing the hands-on experience and resources to develop skills in building, programming and operating robots.

    Drone Racing

    • Opportunities include extensive FPV racing and training, national league events on campus and throughout Ohio, as well as drone design, fabrication and engineering.

    VR Esports & Mixed Reality

    • Offering all students a program focused on fitness-based esports, as well as a mixed-reality educational toolkit for technology and academic studies.

  • Esports Industry Professional Program

    This is recommended for players with experience in League of Legends, Overwatch, Valorant and Counter Strike. The esports program emphasizes college and professional career preparation, including how to best manage social media and mental health. One-on-one coaching complements each student’s experience. SPIRE’s staff are working with colleges interested in the esports and gaming space to develop coursework and class offerings that align with the anticipated growth of esports within the collegiate environment.

  • Evening & Weekend Activities

    Evening and weekend activities include local and regional competitions, solo and group projects as well as deep dives across subjects and disciplines. These activities will captivate students through innovative technologies, providing a compelling means to advanced learning. The focus is on “doing” rather than coursework.

  • SPIRE's Unique Training Facilities

    • Fabrication Lab/Workshop
    • Esports Arena and Production Space
    • Indoor/Outdoor Drone Racing Arena
    • Drone Racing Sim Lab
    • VR/Mixed-Reality Lab

TEAM ESPORTS

ROBERT SKINNION

Esports

Learn More

ACADEMY MODEL

SPIRE’s experienced faculty, coaches, performance specialists, college and career counseling staff are dedicated to delivering an atmosphere that produces strong, confident, dedicated student athletes. Our goal is to develop everyone to excel both in & out of the classroom and inside & outside the competitive arena.

ACADEMICS

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COLLEGE & CAREER COUNSELING

LEARN MORE

ESPORTS

Camps

LEARN MORE

CAMPUS LIFE

LEARN MORE

ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT

LEARN MORE

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

LEARN MORE

ACADEMY FAQ'S

  • Tell me about the educational delivery model.

    SPIRE Academy provides in person inquiry, mastery based learning. Students focus on group projects, presentation and other ways to demonstrate students master the curriculum. 

    SPIRE’s learning environment balances academic and athletic training and development that nurture personal growth and stimulate the desire to challenge oneself.

    Teachers guide and facilitate learning through engaging, hands-on activities, creative and critical thinking skills, and classroom dialogue.

  • Do you offer day programs or is it only boarding options?

    SPIRE Academy offers a day student option for local students who can commute to campus. Day students receive all the same benefits as boarding students but live at home instead of in SPIRE’s Student Village.

  • How good do I have to be in my sport?

    SPIRE accepts athletes of varying ability, but they all have one thing in common.  They come to SPIRE because they have the heart and desire to become better student athletes.  SPIRE student athletes come from various competitive backgrounds and all have different goals they want to achieve while here and beyond, whether it is to continue their sport after high school or beyond.

  • What does a day look like?

    Academy Sample Schedule:

    6:00am-7:00am Breakfast
    7:00am – 8:50am – Block 1
    9:00am – 10:50am Block 2
    10:50am – 11:50am Lunch
    12:00pm -1:50pm Block 3
    2:00pm – 3:50pm Block 4
    4:00pm – 5:50pm Block 5
    6:00pm-7:15pm Dinner

    Depending on the individual coaches periodization, athletes may train once or twice a day. Performance would also be flexible as to where it falls during the day (and how many days per week) as well.

  • Where do student athletes live on campus? Will I have a roommate?

    SPIRE Boarding Students live in the SPIRE SPIRE Village which consists of three styles of dorms. Most of the dorms are like mini homes with single used bathrooms and large family room.

    Yes, most students have two students per room, some students might have up to 3 students in a room. 

  • How much is the tuition?

    Day rates are different than boarding rates please contact us for more information [email protected].

  • How does SPIRE assist with college planning and placement?

    At SPIRE, we believe that the college planning and placement process is one of the most important aspects of Academy life—and you can’t start this process too early! 

    Our college planning process begins freshman year and only concludes when a student has graduated from college or chosen and achieved their goals on a different path.  

    SPIRE works with student athletes to find a university that is a good fit academically, athletically and socially.  Students are taught how to search for colleges and universities with their intended major as well as their desired sport using the guidance of their coaches, teachers and advisors.  This includes how to communicate with schools and coaches, fill out the Common Application and other applications, including filing FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

  • What are the benefits of a Post Grad year?

    Students come for Post Grad year to train and develop at a higher level with aspirations of higher level of recruiting success. The students have a better understanding of what it takes to get to the collegiate level.

  • Racial Nondiscriminatory Policy

    The governing board of SPIRE Academy located at 5201 SPIRE Circle in Geneva, Ohio 44041 has adopted the following racial nondiscriminatory policies.

    SPIRE Academy recruits and admits students of any race, color or ethnic origin to all its rights, privileges, programs and activities. In addition, SPIRE Academy will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

    SPIRE Academy will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or ethnic origin in the hiring of its certified or non-certified personnel.

  • Does SPIRE offer scholarships and financial assistance?

    SPIRE offers a limited amount of financial aid. Recipients are selected based on academics, athletics, character and financial review. For more information, please reference our admissions page.

  • Where can I find additional information about living at SPIRE Academy?

    Click here to find all resources related to living on the SPIRE Campus.

  • Is the Admissions process competitive?

    SPIRE evaluates each student individually to determine if they are a good fit. The admissions process includes submitting an official transcript, letters of recommendation from an English teacher, a math teacher, and a principal or coach; completing an interview with an admissions manager and a sports coach; and submitting a completed application.

    Each applicant is reviewed by the Admissions Committee to determine if they meet SPIRE admissions requirements.

  • Does SPIRE Academy offer scholarships?

    SPIRE offers financial assistance for families who qualify. All families are reviewed on a case by case basis.  Families must complete the Clarity financial aid application. Please access through our admissions department.

  • Do you have any other question or need additional help with admissions?

    Please contact our Admissions Department at [email protected]

  • When is the deadline to apply?

    Application for 2026 – 2027 will open in August of 2025. SPIRE works on rolling admission for the 2025-2026 school year, however, dorm and team roster availability may be limited. 

  • Would participation in a post grad year affect my four-year NCAA eligibility?

    No, a post graduate year does not affect NCAA eligibility.

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