Management company for Ignite Schools:Including Ignite Learning Academy and Ignite Achievement Academy

Ignite Achievement Academy is a private school serving students with special needs and learning differences. There are two campuses in the Charlotte-metro area.

Ignite Learning Academy is the leading online private school serving students in the United States and abroad. The school offers individualized learning to all students as well as specialized programs for gifted learners and students with special needs.

Kelly Van Sande, Ed.D., Founder and CEO of Ignite Learning Academy, has been invited to join Phoenix Business Journal Leadership Trust, an exclusive community for influential business leaders, executives and entrepreneurs in Greater Phoenix.Kelly was chosen for membership by the Phoenix Business Journal Leadership Trust Selection Committee due to her experience, leadership and influence in the local business landscape and beyond. Kelly is transforming education for students in Arizona and across the country on a daily basis as she brings personalized education into the home through the school’s online K-12 programs.

Arizona Virtual Academy & Insight Academy of ArizonaSenior education executive for group of K12 Arizona charter schools: Arizona Virtual Academy and Insight Academy of Arizona, serving 9,000 students and overseeing a large staff, with 15 direct reports. •Developed and implemented a strategic plan with input from a variety of stakeholders;•Developed, defined, and adopted a set of core values within the schools;•Managed $65 MM budget and worked closely with finance executives;•Was responsible for all financial and operational audits;•Managed federal and state financial resources;•Engaged with the schools' board; developed policies and engaged in finance discussions with the board;•Demonstrated commitment and execution toward closing the achievement gap;•Increased student growth, as measured by yearly state assessments and observed growth exceeding 15% in tested areas;•Launched career technical education (CTE) program for high school students;•Worked closely with legal team, human resources, marketing, professional relations, product development, finance, public affairs, and governmental affairs;•Developed highly effective staff members through an ongoing evaluation process and personalized professional development;•Oversaw full adoption of a comprehensive data-driven instruction and decision-making plan which now drives all decision making within the schools;•Significantly increased teacher retention and transformed staff morale;•Implemented relevant professional development aligned to the individual needs of all teachers, staff, and administrators;•Served as public relations liaison between the schools, community, Arizona Department of Education, and the State’s Charter Board;•Presented to state senate committees and legislators on topics relating to education, and funding; and•Was interviewed by local and national media outlets.*Other positions held at K12 include Deputy Head of School/Dean of Academics and High School Principal.

Teacher at:Peoria Unified School DistrictDestiny Community School