diff --git a/src/jupyterhub_config/custom_spawner.py b/src/jupyterhub_config/custom_spawner.py
index 0ba1e02..24e08ec 100644
--- a/src/jupyterhub_config/custom_spawner.py
+++ b/src/jupyterhub_config/custom_spawner.py
@@ -123,6 +123,11 @@ def _ensure_user_directory(self, user_dir: Path, username: str):
             # Set directory permissions to 750: Owner (rwx), Group (r-x), Others (---)
             os.chmod(user_dir, 0o750)
 
+            # Grand spark_user read/write access to the user's home directory
+            self.log.info(f'Granting read/write access to spark_user for {username}')
+            subprocess.run(['sudo', 'setfacl', '-m', f'u:spark_user:rwX', user_dir], check=True)
+            subprocess.run(['sudo', 'setfacl', '-m', f'u:root:rwX', user_dir], check=True)
+
         else:
             self.log.info(f'Reusing user directory for {username}')