2023 CSGF Seed Cohort

Inspired by the best practices of high-performing charter schools, Jade Rivera, Albuquerque Collegiate Charter School (Albuquerque Collegiate) founder, sought to create a school with a focus on  structured and ambitious school community, high-quality instruction, and intensive academic supports. Since launching, Albuquerque Collegiate’s scholars produced the top early literacy results in the state of New Mexico, leading the school to be designated a “Spotlight School” for ranking among the top ten percent of all New Mexico public schools in reading proficiency, reading proficiency growth, and family satisfaction. Rivera says, “At Albuquerque Collegiate, we are inspired to create a proof-point school, showing through high expectations and high supports, our scholars, families, and community can achieve tremendous, life trajectory changing success.” Albuquerque Collegiate plans to add Pre-K as well as expand into a middle school in the Fall of 2024.

Located in Houston, Texas, Amigos Por Vida – Friends For Life Charter School (Amigos) is led by Superintendent Freddy Delgado and currently serves kindergarten through eighth grade students. By building deep community roots and strong connection to students, Amigos has established a track record of success over the past 20+ years for closing the achievement gap for Latinx students with a rigorous and joyful education. When asked why he leads, Delgado said, “When you love what you do it inspires others to go the extra mile for the betterment of the organization. A leader takes action, leads by example, and encourages teachers, staff, and students to do their best. It is crucial to have the passion and love for your work to motivate others to be change agents.” The school has received state-wide and national recognition and is expanding enrollment across all grade levels, PK through 8th grade, to serve additional students in the Gulfton neighborhood.

Capital College and Career Academy (CCCA) plans to open a high school in the Fall of 2023 in Sacramento, California. CCCA is grounded on the premise that students should not have to choose college at the expense of a career, but rather, students should have the opportunity to have a robust exploration of interest and passions, culminating in graduates being both college-ready and career-prepared. The founder, Kevin Dobson expresses “CCCA was developed as a grassroots movement bringing together industry and community based nonprofits for the betterment of our community. We wanted to create a model where students feel empowered to participate in real world hands-on learning that makes school both relevant and engaging.”

Honor Preparatory Charter School (Honor Prep) will open in the Fall of 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina as an English/Spanish dual-language elementary school. With an unwavering commitment to see students lead a life grounded in choice, opportunity, and equity, the Honor Prep founding team hopes to build a school that prepares every student to use their voice to self-advocate, fluently read and write in two languages, and be academically prepared to successfully tackle middle school and beyond. Honor Prep founder and North Carolina Native, Paul Barnhardt, emphasizes “Equity and access drive the work that we are doing at Honor Prep. Our future scholars and families are at the center of what we are doing and they are the reason I lead!”

Slated to open its doors in Fall 2024, Independence Preparatory Academy (iPrep) believes all students deserve access to a quality education that prepares them for college and their careers. The school is dedicated to offering student-centered and student-driven learning. Calandra Sales, the founder, firmly believes in this mission and hopes to “create a school that disrupts the inequitable practices that continue to isolate and disadvantage children of color and communities experiencing poverty by developing children’s character and exposing them to equitable opportunities and rigorous instruction. Because our students will be affirmed, celebrated, and challenged, they will become change agents who are equipped to continue to improve their communities.”

Integration Charter Schools (ICS) is dedicated to providing pathways to college for all students and for success in college and life. The founder envisioned a school where students living with emotional challenges and learning disabilities learned alongside their neurotypical peers. Across their four schools, this vision is realized, and each school has a distinct approach to educating their students and engaging their community. When asked of his inspiration to join the ICS team last year, ICS President Sean Harrell, said its “being able to see the joy on the faces of our scholars and families and the care poured into our faculty” that inspires him to lead. ICS’ Richmond Prep campus will expand to high school in Fall 2024.

Kindle Education is launching in Fall 2023 in Jersey City, New Jersey. The vision for Kindle stems from the co-founders’ personal stories combined with over two decades of experience in education, research and learnings from innovative schools, and engagement with Jersey City community members. Co-founders, Katie Hahn and DJ Hartigan, both believe that the demands of the 21st century call for schools to support students in developing durable skills, such as critical thinking, metacognition, collaboration, and creativity. They are inspired by “the genuine belief that every student deserves an equitable education that not only prepares them to navigate the world, but to transform it. We are excited to create a vibrant learning community that nurtures individuality, fosters a sense of purpose, and celebrates diverse perspectives while supporting students to develop knowledge, skills, and mindsets that will help them truly flourish.”

Over the last seven years, Libertas School of Memphis (Libertas) has become one of the highest achieving charter schools in Memphis. Libertas’ academic programming is grounded in their adaptation of the Montessori model paired with cultural literacy and charter development, and the school hopes to share their methods across the country through the creation of the nation’s first dual-certification Montessori teacher training program for urban schools. When asked about his motivation for Libertas, founder, Bob Nardo says, “Just as Aristotle looked at an acorn and saw an oak tree, Maria Montessori looked at the child of 3 years ago and called him ‘a man, a giant!’ – seeing not what is now but the potential to be fulfilled. I love Libertas because we are a village of human flourishing, showing what is possible for some of the most vulnerable children in our state when we give the best to the smallest.” Libertas will expand to middle school in Fall 2024 as well as increase their enrollment at all grade levels.

Located in Powder Springs, Georgia, Miles Ahead Charter School (MACS) is set to open in Fall 2023 and grow to be a K-8 school. Focused on student growth and academic achievement through a whole child approach to education, MACS’s mission is to provide all students with the social and academic skills necessary to help them realize their potential for local impact and global change. MACS is committed to advancing a balanced educational approach focused on 21st century academics and skills, character development, habits of success, and service to the local and global community. Founder, Kolt Bloxson, says her inspiration for the school comes from “my love for children, education, and my community. I am committed to supporting our students in being whole, healthy, and happy people.”

Renaissance Arts and Education, Inc. (REA) strives to provide a safe and engaging learning environment for children in Palmetto, Florida. Founder, Dr. Bill Jones, believes “creating educational opportunities for young people is buying insurance for a better world.” REA’s first school, Manatee School for the Arts, was founded in 1998 to serve middle and high school students. In Fall 2023, REA will be expanding to grades K-5th with the opening of ¡HOLA! Elementary, which prioritizes a Spanish-immersed, arts-infused curriculum and focuses on student engagement. 

Since its opening in 2015, RISE Prep Mayoral Academy (RISE Prep) has been determined to provide a transformative education for all scholars and change the narrative of Woonsocket, RI. Leader, Rosalind DaCruz, expresses “I am inspired by the unwavering belief that demographics and zip code should never, and do not, determine a child’s destiny. Our school inspires me each day and year because RISE Prep provides an intentionally diverse, high-quality public school option for scholars in Rhode Island by coupling rigorous academics with character development to ensure that all scholars are given an excellent education and the opportunities to access the future of their dreams.” RISE currently serves grades K-8 and is set to expand to high school in the Fall of 2024.

The mission of REACH Academy Charter School (REACH) is to ensure the achievement of high academic standards for City of Buffalo students through a hands-on authentic learning environment. Founder, Linda Marszalek, was inspired to create a school where academics would come alive to engage students with the goal of fully supporting students to think critically and reflectively towards achievement on the state’s high academic standards regardless of socioeconomic background. Marszalek says “I am inspired by a deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of education and a passion for empowering our Scholars from disadvantaged backgrounds to overcome challenges, succeed academically, and create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.” In Fall 2023, REACH will expand their elementary cohorts and continue to grow out their middle school grades.

In the Fall of 2023, Sankofa Montessori will open its doors as the second public Montessori school in the state of Georgia. Sankofa hopes to create access to school choice within the Atlanta metropolitan area and provide children with a rigorous education that values the development of the whole child. Founder, Sarah Harvey, has set out to “ensure that all the children who walk through their doors have access to a culturally responsive, child and family-centered Montessori education. In order for them to be able to develop the knowledge, skills, and agency to have a life of purpose.” 

Sea Island Heritage Academy (Heritage Academy) plans to open in Fall 2024. Alana Jenkins, Heritage Academy founder, finds her heritage in Gullah, an indigenous African American culture. In Gullah, the proverb “mus tek cyear a de root fa heal de tree,” roughly translates to “you must take care of the root in order to heal the tree.” Heritage Academy was born from the 200-year old historic roots that exist in Beaufort County, South Carolina with a commitment to being a space where safety is prioritized so that scholars can be vulnerable enough to recognize the fullness of their identity and determine, pursue, and succeed in the future of their choice. Heritage Academy hopes to create equitable student achievement and leverage cultural connection to the land to create exposure and expand opportunities for students that reflect Gullah Geechee legacy.

Segue Institute for Learning (Segue) is a community school with wrap-around services in a safe and nurturing environment which promotes diversity, encourages individual growth and allows scholars to view themselves as citizens of change in their homes and community. When asked about his motivation, Executive Director Angelo Garcia says, “Knowing that the work I am doing has made and will continue to make positive ripples in the lives of our scholars and families is my motivator. We are planting seeds now for future generations to grow and flourish.” Segue will launch their high school in Fall 2024 with the dual purpose of providing a college/career-ready program and developing the next generation of educators who have the knowledge, skills, talents, and abilities to be effective classroom facilitators and champions of positive change.

STEP Charter School (STEP) currently operates two K-8 campuses in Houston, Texas. STEP’s mission is to provide a safe and positive space for students to grow mentally, emotionally, and physically through smaller class sizes and continuous small-group instruction. William Clark, STEP’s founder and Superintendent, believes “Parents should not have to settle for a lesser quality of education simply because of the zip codes they reside in. I lead STEP Charter because all parents in our community deserve a safe, quality school for their children.” STEP will be opening an additional K-8 campus in Fall 2024.

Tapestry Public Charter School (Tapestry) was founded by a group of parents, autism service providers, and educators in Doraville, GA to create an inclusion school that supports autistic students alongside their neurotypical peers. Tapestry’s full inclusion model means all members of the school community are equally valued and respected, and they believe there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to teaching. Tapestry created a framework for differentiating instruction and providing curriculum access for all students to thrive, create, and learn at their own pace. Matthew Tyson, Principal and CEO, deeply believes in their mission and states “Growing up with three neurodivergent brothers and as the parent of a neurodivergent child, I[have seen and lived through]the challenges families face when seeking equitable educational opportunities.[This]has further amplified my passion for creating a more inclusive educational environment where all students can thrive.” In 2024, Tapestry seeks to provide the same opportunity for the Atlanta community at its second campus. 

Tennessee Nature Academy (TNA) is the product of a decade-long community-based, outdoor program developed by Roy “Jay” Renfro, TNA’s founder and Executive Director. As the program’s popularity grew, the idea for TNA was born, and Renfro began to develop his vision for a diverse-by-design charter school, designed to celebrate nature-based learning and the cultures of the community where the school would exist. Renfro is inspired to lead through a belief that “there is a need for a school model that recognizes that a child only goes through childhood once, and so that childhood should be filled with wonder, nurturing relations, worthwhile challenges, and lots of nature.”

The Anchor School (TAS) will open its doors in the Fall of 2023 in Decatur, GA. The TAS model will support students in exploring who they are, with whom they are connected, and their connection to the places in which they live. TAS students will develop internal and external points of connection (anchors) as they navigate the adolescence transition into adulthood, and TAS graduates will leave with the identity, confidence, self-awareness, and community they need to thrive in life beyond the classroom. When asked why he leads Dr. Pinto Taylor says, “I am inspired by the stories, dreams, and visions of our young people and their families. Our school will partner with our scholars towards their highest aspirations.”