History

Sparhawk Academy was founded by a group of parents and educators with a shared vision for the intellectual, moral, physical, and spiritual education of boys. With the purchase of a 58-acre campus in December of 2017, Sparhawk Academy secured a permanent home in Millis, Massachusetts, and received its name from the Sparhawk Brook that runs across the property. The first Head of School, Robert Sylvain, and founding faculty began the work of bringing the vision of Sparhawk Academy to life.

Sparhawk began with a shared vision for the intellectual, moral, physical, and spiritual education of boys.

September 2018

The school opened with 36 boys in grades 3 through 8. Classes were held in the farm house, now called the School House, which was originally built in 1931. The School House was remodeled to include a reception area, classrooms, locker rooms, a small library, a teacher’s lounge, and administrative offices.

Sparhawk Academy first classrooms
Sparhawk Academy first classrooms

September 2018

The school opened with 36 boys in grades 3 through 8. Classes were held in the farm house, now called the School House, which was originally built in 1931. The School House was remodeled to include a reception area, classrooms, locker rooms, a small library, a teacher’s lounge, and administrative offices.

Inside Sparhawk garage remodel

Fall of 2019

A three-car garage on the property was remodeled into a beautiful space that currently serves as the Grade 9 homeroom. This 800-square-foot space also includes a handicapped access bathroom and storage space.

Spring of 2020

Plans were submitted to the Town of Millis in order to construct an 11,500-square-foot building. These plans included designs for a new road, parking, stormwater runoff remediation, and landscaping. After receiving the appropriate approvals, the summer of 2021 marked the beginning of construction. The new building opened for classes in the fall of 2022. Housing five classrooms, a large chapel, and a large gathering space, most classes take place in this new facility.

Construction of inside building at Sparhawk Academy
Construction of inside building at Sparhawk Academy

Spring of 2020

Plans were submitted to the Town of Millis in order to construct an 11,500-square-foot building. These plans included designs for a new road, parking, stormwater runoff remediation, and landscaping. After receiving the appropriate approvals, the summer of 2021 marked the beginning of construction. The new building opened for classes in the fall of 2022. Housing five classrooms, a large chapel, and a large gathering space, most classes take place in this new facility.

Mike Schell, Sparhawk headmaster

July 2023

Michael Schell, both a Sparhawk parent and a leader in education, assumed the role of Head of School. Mr. Schell and the Sparhawk faculty introduced a distinctive Entrepreneurship program and ancillary summer programs that will extend Sparhawk’s reach to help both enrolled families and many others.

Summer of 2024

A Workshop was added to the property to enhance Craftsmanship programming. In addition, a sports field was leveled and prepared to support the Athletics Department.

Sparhawk Academy building class
Sparhawk Academy building class

Summer of 2024

A Workshop was added to the property to enhance Craftsmanship programming. In addition, a sports field was leveled and prepared to support the Athletics Department.

Sparhawk grade 9 students walking in field

Fall of 2024

The Sparhawk Academy Board of Trustees voted unanimously to add a Grade 9 offering beginning in the fall of 2025. Sparhawk will add grades 10–12 over the following three years. To support Sparhawk’s continuing growth, a campus planning committee was formed to ensure that the building expansion plan maintains the beauty of the landscape, respects and enhances the neighborhood and the town, and meets Sparhawk’s pedagogical needs.

Summer of 2025

Sparhawk Academy was awarded Cognia® Accredited status across grades 3 through 12, conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission. Cognia is a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.

Sparhawk Academy building class
Sparhawk Academy building class

Summer of 2025

Sparhawk Academy was awarded Cognia® Accredited status across grades 3 through 12, conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission. Cognia is a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.