When a school sets out to build a high school program grounded in peace, sustainability, and deep respect for individual growth, it knows one thing for sure: it can't do it alone.

That’s the story of Maya School—a bilingual, progressive school nestled in the mountains of Thach That, Vietnam. At Maya, education isn’t just about academics. It’s about growing up whole. That’s why Spark Prep was honored to walk alongside Maya over the past school year, supporting their vision with care, intention, and strategic partnership.

From a strong foundation to a new frontier

Maya is built on the Montessori philosophy, with a core belief that education is preparation for life—not just school. Students here learn through real-world projects, rooted in nature, community, and creativity. They build robots, design playgrounds for children in remote areas, and explore traditional crafts to preserve local heritage.

But as Maya expanded into the high school years, a new question emerged: how can these rich, hands-on experiences be leveraged to help students prepare for their future?

Students were thriving in their projects—but needed guidance in making meaning of them. How do they reflect on a community project and articulate its value in a college application? What skills should they sharpen to achieve your long-term goals? How do they find an unique voice and present it with confidence?

Maya saw this gap early on. To bridge it, they needed more than workshops or guest lectures. They needed a partner who could connect the dots—between experience and reflection, between learning and direction, between a vibrant present and an intentional future.

Meeting Spark Prep: Strategic partnership from shared values

That’s where Spark Prep came in.

When we first met Maya’s leadership team, the conversation didn’t start with college rankings or admissions requirements. It started with a question:

"What are students learning from the world they’re immersed in every day?" 

Our partnership was rooted not in content delivery, but in a shared mindset: we don’t impose. We don’t dictate. We listen, observe, and build from what’s already thriving.

For us, college isn't the end goal—it’s one pathway among many. We want students to understand themselves deeply, so they can pursue higher education as an expression of purpose, not pressure.

Together with Maya, we created a year-long support program that grew organically from this vision—a partnership that reached students, families, teachers, counselors, and the broader school leadership.

A year of growing together

1. Student workshops: A journey of self-discovery

We designed workshops not around checklists, but around questions:

• What excites you most right now?
• How has Maya shaped your personal growth?
• What does leadership mean to you?
• How do you want to show up in the world—as a student, a friend, a community member?

In these sessions, students moved from quiet curiosity to rich, authentic storytelling. They began to connect their experiences with larger goals, and to speak about themselves not from a place of performance, but from clarity and self-awareness.

2. College 101: Empowering Maya's educators

Maya’s faculty knows their students better than anyone. That’s why we developed our College 101 program specifically for them.

Beyond introducing the mechanics of international admissions, this training explored how teachers can support students in building autonomy, navigating uncertainty, and identifying next steps that are meaningful to them.

Many teachers shared how the experience helped them see their students in a new light—especially those who were talented but unsure. It also helped shift classroom conversations toward deeper reflection and future planning.

3. Systemic strategy: Building sustainable frameworks

We also partnered with Maya’s leadership team to align systems with their long-term vision:

• School profile development: Crafting a narrative that authentically represents Maya’s values and student identity to international universities.
• Student development tracking: Co-designing systems that monitor not just academic progress, but growth in mindset, skill, and direction.
• Learning management integration: Helping select and adapt tools that preserve each student’s journey—as a record of growth that continues beyond high school.

These changes didn’t happen all at once. They evolved over time, through ongoing dialogue and reflection.

The impact of shared intention

As the school year came to a close, there was no flashy finale—just the steady presence of growth. Students didn’t walk away as "perfect college applicants," but as individuals more aware of who they are and what they care about.

Teachers and parents began to see students through new lenses—not for what they’ve achieved, but for how they think, feel, and dream.

And for both Maya and Spark Prep, this year has been one of mutual learning. Our partnership has been less about fixing and more about fertilizing—helping the roots grow deeper, so that what is already meaningful can continue to flourish.

Our work together isn’t over. What we’ve planted is still unfolding—in the questions students ask themselves, in the choices they make, and in the steady, thoughtful path Maya continues to walk.

Not all schools follow the same journey. And there is no single formula for a great high school experience. But at Spark Prep, we believe that when values are clear and growth is intentional, good things will always take root.

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