Colleen Hroncich
When Amy Sparks and her husband opened School of Hope in Fayetteville, NC, they were doing more than establishing a school—they were preserving the legacy of their son Jarred, who had autism and passed away unexpectedly. “I had talked about this over 20 some years ago, and it came to fruition in 2017. And it was because we didn’t want Jarred’s memory or his legacy to die,” explains Amy. “We knew that this was the right thing to do.”
What started with just five students has blossomed into a thriving school serving more than 70 students with a waiting list. And School of Hope is continuing to grow—a new 7,200-square-foot elementary wing with eight additional classrooms is in the works. The facility will include sensory rooms and calm-down areas specifically designed for their students’ needs. They’ve already invested over $50,000 in playground equipment, creating outdoor spaces where kids can just be kids.
School of Hope doesn’t use a conventional classroom setup. The classrooms are flexible, often blending ages, so that kids can learn where they are, not where their grade level says they should be. On any given morning, you might find a K–2 class learning math through Unifix cubes, tackling graphing projects, or diving into hands-on science experiments.
“We really believe in project-based learning,” Amy says. Last year, her high school class created an entire Egyptian museum, completely student-led, that drew visitors from across the community. The kids organized it, created the projects that were displayed, and guided visitors through the exhibit. “It was all student-led. Very much project-based learning. And they’ll never forget that,” Amy says. “Other classes that saw the Egyptian Museum said to their teacher, ‘We want to learn about Egypt this year.’ So that was great.”
The school also partners with a variety of therapy providers who support students throughout the day. This year, they launched a pilot program transporting their highest-performing students to a nearby neurotypical high school for classes, working toward the school’s first traditional high school graduation. Up to now, students have graduated with a certificate instead of a diploma due to their learning differences.
School of Hope’s impact goes beyond academics. “I really try to teach children acceptance,” Amy says as she shares the story of a high school boy who took a younger, lower-functioning girl under his wing at recess. “He would sit outside and kick the ball to her at recess because she liked to do that,” she says. “Nobody told him to do that—to make sure that he made her smile and laugh. He’s just a good kid.”
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of the school is how it transforms families who are at their wits’ end. “They’re broken because they’ve been told what a terrible kid they have. And their kid will never amount to anything. And their kid can’t do this, and they can’t do that,” Amy explains. “And finally they come to a school where they understand and they give the words of hope to these families.”
Amy can relate to these dispirited parents. “I needed to hear those things when my child was growing up,” she recalls. “One day, I remember saying to somebody, ‘Does Jarred do anything right?’ It was just always negative, negative, negative.” She emphasizes this to her teachers—the parents need to hear something positive about their kids, even though they may have made mistakes.
The supportive environment makes a big difference for the students, many of whom experience a turnaround at the School of Hope. “I’ve had parents who have cried because their child was able to go on a field trip for the first time,” Amy says. She and her husband have comforted parents who thought no one could understand what they’re going through and what their child needs. “We are not giving up on your child,” she tells them. In some cases, Amy and her staff must also educate the parents, so they can understand the best way to support their children.
Thanks to the state’s Opportunity Scholarship and Education Student Accounts (ESA+) programs, families who couldn’t otherwise afford private school tuition can now access this specialized education. “We’re blessed in the state of North Carolina. We have had a lot of people go to bat, people who believe in our children, people who believe in parents and giving parents their rights as, first and foremost, the teachers—they’re the first teachers of their kids,” Amy notes. “The School of Hope would not exist without these scholarships because our parents can’t afford to pay the tuition out of pocket.”
For Amy, leading this school is more than a job—it’s a calling. With 39 years of teaching experience, she still loves being in the classroom even while serving as principal. “I’m very passionate about what I do. Because if I’m not passionate about it as a leader of this school, how can I expect my staff to be passionate about it?” she asks.
She’s honest about the challenges as well: some children’s needs are too severe, safety sometimes takes priority, and resources can be limited. But through it all, Amy’s focus never wavers. “I know that I’m not going to help every person. And I tell parents all the time, the School of Hope is not for everyone. But if I can just help one child, then I’ve done my job.”
Ultimately, what sets the School of Hope apart is that it was born from a mother’s love for her son and her refusal to let his story end with his tragic death. “When I’m having a rough day, I look at my son’s picture and I’m like, ‘Jarred.’ And I know what he’s saying. He’s like, ‘Mom, don’t give up. You have to do this. You have to help them. They need you just like I needed you,’” Amy shares. “And now he’s healed. He’s with our Heavenly Father.”