Charter Moms Chats

Eleanor Kolitz Hebrew Language Academy, known as EKHLA , is a public charter school that prepares confident students through high academic and behavioral standards, who are grounded in Hebrew language and Israeli culture. Members of the leadership team at EKHLA, including Principal/Superintendent Kathryn Cohen, Vice Principal Tracy Smith, and District Coordinator/Athletics Director Gabriela Tawil,...

Pre-K 4 SA provides full-day prekindergarten to thousands of three- and four-year-old children in San Antonio at centers across the city. On February 1, they will begin enrolling students for the 2024–25 school year. Dr. Sarah Baray, CEO of Pre-K 4 SA, joins us to talk about the importance of high quality early childhood education and how Pre-K 4 SA and its partners are lifting up the economy and...

TriPoint Academy is designed to help students by connecting their learning to a variety of experiences through art, service learning, and connection to nature. This tuition-free, public microschool opened in August 2023 and is expanding to grades K–8 for the 2024–25 school year. Megan Correia, Founder–Director of TriPoint Academy, joins us to discuss TriPoint Academy's first semester and share how...

Young Men's Leadership Academy at Wheatley (YMLA) in San Antonio ISD is an SAISD Choice School designed for male learners in grades 6–12. Jessica Avalos-Alvarez joins us to share her perspective about YMLA as a teacher of English and writing courses, sponsor of clubs like the National Honors Society, cross country coach, and parent of a sixth grade student.

International Baccalaureate (IB) aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who will help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. San Antonio ISD has a partnership with the Texas Council for International Studies to offer IB at seven SAISD Choice Schools, including Jefferson and Burbank High Schools, Fenwick and Woodlawn Academ...

"Coach T" is the name the student call Tamarya Guess, their PE Coach at Compass Rose Dream. The teachers at Compass Rose Dream work diligently to create a welcoming environment for students from many cultures. Coach T joins us to share her Teacher Tales perspective about guiding her students as a coach and mentor.

Democracy Prep at the Stewart Campus , in partnership with San Antonio ISD, is a community school located southeast of downtown that also welcomes students from across San Antonio. Michelle Herrera, Director of Operations of Democracy Prep at the Stewart Campus, and Summer Ahmed, Assistant Principal at Democracy Prep at the Stewart Campus, join us to discuss how DPSC offers a well-rounded college...

The Winston School of San Antonio offers a college preparatory education to students with high potential and identified learning differences. Kelly Shy-Maranca, the mother of two students at the Winston School, shares her sons' education journey from struggling with dyslexia and ADHD to developing confidence and experiencing success at the Winston School. Kristin Ashley, Dean of Studies at the Win...

The Circle School is a unique learning environment where teachers have the flexibility to encourage students to follow their passions. Blanca Luna, Operations Administrator, Jason Gossard, Kindergarten Teacher, and Niko del Valle, 6th grade student, join us to share their experiences with The Circle School and offer advice about enrollment.

San Antonio ISD has a wide range of choice schools offering diverse education models such as dual language, project-based learning, Montessori, International Baccalaureate, dual credit, and career-focused programs. These schools serve students from PK-3 through 12th grade, and are tuition-free and open to students inside and outside SAISD. Karen Galván, Special Projects Coordinator, and Diane Fern...

The Rise School San Antonio is an early childhood program that will open in August 2024 to help children with developmental delays succeed in a school setting. Carter English and his wife Taylor are motivated to bring the Rise School model to San Antonio to serve children like their daughter Isabelle, who has Down syndrome. Carter English and Vanessa Lacoss Hurd, founders of the Rise School San An...

The Haven is a co-learning center that offers students a range of services, including facilitated courses of study, to help students and their families stay on track with their academic goals. The team from Pathways Home Education, including Maricela Luna, Executive Director, and Marilyn Danae, President, joins us to describe the learning spaces at The Haven, including a podcast studio, a maker sp...

Celebrate Dyslexia Schools is an open enrollment charter school designed to provide a transformative educational experience for learners with dyslexia. The school will open in August 2024 serving students in second grade in a temporary location at The DoSeum. Flor Gutierrez, Superintendent of Celebrate Dyslexia Schools, and Jasmin Dean, Board Chair, join us to share about design elements including...

The Foundation School for Autism—San Antonio is an open enrollment charter school that serves students from ages 3 to 7 who are on the autism spectrum. They receive expert care, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and applied behavior analysis, from teachers and specialists who help them build communication skills and prepare for learning in a general education setting. Peggy Derby, Ca...

Are there any new conversations to be had about school safety ? Mary Field, a board member at the International School of San Antonio and a thoughtful commentator about parenting and education, joins us to discuss her research into tough subjects like gun violence and bullying. She tries to evaluate which safety strategies actually work and offers hope for parents who are trying to keep our childr...

Founders Classical Academy of Schertz offers students a classical, liberal arts education with a grounding in United States history, character education, and fine arts. Founders Schertz is located on the Northeast Side of the San Antonio metro area, and is part of a larger network of classical education charter schools. Kelly Hunt, Headmaster at Founders Classical Academy of Schertz, and Dawn Will...

Promesa Academy nurtures its students' love of learning and provides them with rich experiences. Located on the West Side of San Antonio, Promesa has indoor and outdoor learning spaces and a culture of caring for their students. Isaac Williams, Interim Superintendent of Promesa Academy, Ana Aguilera, Principal, and Julie Rothlauf, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, join us to share about how...

Harmony Public Schools offers STEM education and project-based learning for students who want a rigorous education that will prepare them for college and careers. We will speak with a team from Harmony Public Schools South Texas, including Guadalupe Ruiz, Student Recruitment and Retention Specialist at Harmony Science Academy—San Antonio, Megan Parrish, District Director of Communications and Mark...

Compass Rose Public Schools is a network of charter schools where academic achievement coupled with personal growth is their “True North.” Join us for a discussion with Ryane Burke, Chief Schools Officer at Compass Rose Public Schools, Melissa Sanchez, Vice President of Student Support Services at Compass Rose Public Schools, and Myeisha Haywood, Principal of Compass Rose Journey Elementary. They...

Over the past decade, BASIS Texas Charter Schools have established themselves as the #1 district in Texas by offering students a world-class, liberal arts education. Ken Tyrrell, Vice President of School Operations at BASIS Ed Texas, and David King, Associate Vice President of Academics for BASIS Ed Texas, join us to discuss the strengths of the BASIS Charter Schools model—offered at five campuses...

Legacy Traditional Schools—Texas offers well-rounded, PK–12th grade options in the greater San Antonio area. The Legacy Traditional Schools curriculum emphasizes all areas of academic study, including the arts, physical education, and extensive athletics and extracurricular activities. Dr. Mechiel Rozas, Superintendent at Legacy Traditional Schools—Texas, joins us to share updates about their camp...

Great Hearts Online—Texas offers classical education as a free, public, full-time online school. Roger LaMarca, Senior Vice President of Business Operations for Great Hearts Online, joins us to describe what students and families can expect from a Great Hearts education in a virtual setting and the possibilities for flexible scheduling and building community. He will also offer tips for how famili...

Jubilee Academies is a network of charter schools across South Texas that helps students grow their minds and bodies. Erlinda Valderas, Ph. D., Principal at Jubilee Westwood, and Grace Muniz, Associate Superintendent at Jubilee Academies, join us to talk about their San Antonio campuses, their school culture—including athletics and extracurriculars—and how they are getting students ready for colle...

Great Hearts Texas offers a classical education at tuition-free, public charter schools. Monet Lessner, Executive Director of Special Student Services at Great Hearts Texas, and April Hufty, Senior Director of Enrollment and Engagement at Great Hearts Texas, will join us to talk about how students benefit from the Great Hearts curriculum and a school culture grounded in a traditional set of virtue...

East Central ISD Schools of Choice offer unique learning opportunities to prepare students to thrive in a dynamic economy. Amanda Holman, Ed. D., Director of College, Career, and Military Readiness at East Central ISD, joins us to discuss the specialized learning models at ECISD Schools of Choice and offer advice to families about how to apply for enrollment.