SPIRE continues to grow

Yahoo

31-05-2025

HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP — The growth of SPIRE Academy continues in a variety of ways as more students are coming to the area and more businesses continue to open in the area.
SPIRE Academy Chief Executive Officer Steve Sanders said enrollment for the recently completed school year was around 200 students and is projected to be 250-265 next year.
He said the day-school program also is growing, with 15 students planning to come to the academy daily next fall.
The construction of dormitories the last several years will be put on hold for a year, Sanders said.
'This will probably be the only year [dormitories aren't built],' Sanders said.
He said the academy's credentialing process will likely be finalized in the next month, as well.
A new traffic light at the northern entrance to SPIRE on Route 534 is in the final stages of approval from the Ohio Department of Transportation, Sanders said. He said the timing of the placement of the light is still being finalized.
Several new businesses are on the horizon as well, Sanders said. He said a new Chipotle is planned for the area most recently occupied by Popp-a-razzi, which has moved to downtown Geneva.
The building will be demolished and the construction of the restaurant will begin, Sanders said.
A piece of property south of the Farmer Butcher Chef restaurant will likely become a Sheetz gas station and convenience store, Sanders said.
The former Motel 6 on the west side of Route 534 is scheduled to be renovated into a Wyndham property in three to four months, Sanders said.
The SPIRE Academy summer camp season is about to get started as well.
'This will be our biggest,' Sanders said.
He said there were 1,850 campers last year, in many different sports, and will likely be around 2,000 this year.
The SPIRE Academy basketball team recruiting class is growing as well, Sanders said.
'We are projecting a national-class team in year one,' he said.
Sanders said there are already five Division I, potential NBA players, committed with several more likely to follow.
The academy's running program is also moving ahead. Sanders said numerous athletes had national success this year, and many have signed with college programs.
The academy is expanding into cross country, and creating a new course. He said land east of the present track and field building is being cleared for a new cross country course.