Charter Moms Chats

Somerset Academy of Texas is a network of charter schools in San Antonio that share a vision of lifting students up to be global learners. Join us for a discussion with a panel of Somerset Academy school leaders: Cory Oliver, Deputy Superintendent at Somerset Academy of Texas, Lily Collins, Principal at Somerset Academy Lone Star, Bonnie Salas, Principal at Somerset Academy Brooks, and TaLisa Wils...

KIPP Texas—San Antonio is a network of charter schools dedicated to championing equity and chasing excellence. Guadalupe Diaz, Regional Superintendent at KIPP Texas—San Antonio, joins us to talk about growth—including at the new KIPP Somos campus on Callaghan—and offer tips for families to enroll their students at KIPP Texas—San Antonio.

Acton Academy North San Antonio is a microschool that opened in September on the Northwest San Antonio. At Acton Academy, children become curious and independent learners. Stephen and Ashley Foster are the parents of Robert, an eight-year-old student at Acton Academy North San Antonio, and they will join us to share their perspectives about how their son is experiencing freedom and joy in his lear...

The School of Science and Technology (SST) is a network of public charter schools with a focus on STEM education and support for character development. Maksat Altiyev, Regional Executive Director for San Antonio and Corpus Christi, and Elizabeth James, Chief Academic Officer, join us to share about SST's academic programs, career pathways, and enrichment programs, and to help families understand h...

What are the benefits of private schools ? Why are there so many persistent myths about private schools? Join us online for a panel discussion of the pros and cons of private schools, including the opportunity to get your questions answered by our experts. Andrea Banks is the Director of Enrollment Management at Keystone School. Kristin Ashley is the Dean of Studies at The Winston School of San An...

CAST Schools is a network of five innovative high schools and one PK–12 academy in partnership with four school districts across San Antonio. Each campus has a set of industry and university partners that help students get ready for in-demand careers. Charter Moms Chats will go on site at CAST Med with Principal Dr. Anthony Khosravi, teacher Cameron Stanley, and students Paulina Garcia, Jaylin Roj...

Prelude Preparatory School is a charter school on the Southside of San Antonio that gives its students a foundation to succeed in school, live purposeful lives, and become leaders in their communities. Lauren Lewis, Founder and Superintendent, and Laura Rangel, Head of School, join us to cast a vision of what students experience in the classrooms and playgrounds at Prelude Prep. They will also sha...

Anne Frank Inspire Academy is a place where students can belong, find joy, and be great. Expert facilitators guide students on an inquiry-based learning process that makes their educational experience relevant, fun, and challenging. Justin Johnston, Assistant Superintendent at Anne Frank Inspire Academy, and Stephanie Bryant, Principal at Anne Frank Inspire Academy—NW Military, join us to explain...

New Frontiers Public Schools offers early college programs to high school students who want to earn college credits through Alamo Colleges. Jeff Flores, Principal at Imelda Davis Early College High School, and Kathy Rodriguez, Vice President of the board of New Frontiers Public Schools, join us to discuss the benefits of early college high school programs and how families can get their students en...

Royal Public Schools offers an innovative education model for students in grades K–6 on the Southside of San Antonio. Soner Tarim, Ph. D., CEO of Royal Public Schools, and Gabby Patton, Principal, join us to share about the how the school is supporting students with rigorous curriculum and instruction, as well as social and emotional learning. They will also share tips for parents and caregivers a...

Across the San Antonio region, there are schools of choice that offer many different learning models . Inga Cotton, Founder and Executive Director of San Antonio Charter Moms, compares these learning models: child-centered learning, classical education, college and career readiness, functional needs schools, credit recovery schools, culturally responsive schools, dual language education, single-ge...

Valor Education is a Texas-based network of schools that nourish the human desire for wisdom, virtue, friendship, and community. Valor San Antonio opened in August 2023 as a tuition-free, public charter school on the Northwest Side of San Antonio. Dr. Mark Discher, Headmaster of Valor San Antonio, Stephen Gordon, Superintendent of Valor Education, and Erin Fonner, Director of Marketing and Communi...

IDEA Public Schools is a network of tuition-free, public charter schools with 15 campuses across San Antonio, and more schools in regions across Texas and the U.S. Their mission is to prepare all students for college. Ernesto Cantu, Chief Schools Officer for IDEA Public Schools, joins us for a discussion of how IDEA Public Schools ensures that nearly 100 percent of its graduates attend college and...

TriPoint Academy is designed to serve students with different needs by involving them in projects and helping them experience the interconnectedness of the world. This tuition-free, public microschool opened this month and is still enrolling students in grades 3–8 for the 2023–24 school year. Megan Correia, Director of Academics at School Innovation Collaborative, joins us to discuss her design pr...

Mater Academy San Antonio is a proposed charter school with a student-focused culture, preparing students for college and career pathways. Bonnie Salas, Board Chair of Mater Academy San Antonio, as well as Shannine Sadesky, Daniel Diaz, and Courtney Oliver, who are part of the Mater Academy San Antonio application team, join us to share about successful Mater Academy schools in Florida, Nevada, an...

What is the right timeline for doing a school search ? How early can you start, and what can you do if you get a late start? Inga Cotton, Founder and Executive Director of San Antonio Charter Moms, breaks it down in stages, explaining what steps to do in the year leading up to your child's first day at their new school. Our goal is to help you know what to expect in the school search process and s...

Founders Classical Academy Online is a tuition-free, full-time, online school serving students in grades K–8 in Texas and Arkansas. Program Director/Headmaster Jaeil “Jay” Kim joins us to share about how the program offers innovative virtual education while staying true to the commitments of classical education. Also joining the conversation: Linnea Johnstone, Dean of Academics and Fourth Grade Te...

Montessori Kids Universe Stone Oak is a new early childhood education program that will offer child-centered learning and dual language education for children between the ages of eight weeks to six years. Pamela Hernandez, Owner/Director of Montessori Kids Universe Stone Oak, and Leoni Wallace, Curriculum Director, join us to talk about the benefits of child-centered learning and share their excit...

Gabby Patton is the new K–8 Principal at Royal Public Schools , a charter school that offers an innovative education model for students in grades K–6 on the Southside of San Antonio. She joins us to talk about her career in education and leadership and what she hopes to accomplish this year with the teachers, students, and families of Royal Public Schools.

When families decide to start homeschooling, they often feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start. Pathways Home Education provides comprehensive support so that students can succeed in a homeschool environment. Maricela Luna, Executive Director of Pathways Home Education, and her colleagues Marilyn Danae, President, and Chelsea Polanco, Community Outreach, join us to discuss how the emotiona...

TriPoint Academy is designed to serve students with different needs by involving them in projects and helping them experience the interconnectedness of the world. Megan Correia, Director of Academics at School Innovation Collaborative, joins us to discuss how she designed TriPoint Academy based on her observations as a parent of three unique learners and as a teacher who finds creative solutions t...

University Presbyterian Children's Center (UPCC) has two outdoor classrooms where children are taught academic concepts through nature exploration while developing emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Cindi Catlin-Gaskins, Director of UPCC, and Sandy Stout, Assistant Director, join us discuss how they offer developmentally appropriate, nature-based learning for young children.

Coker Early Learning Center is dedicated to children's physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth while encouraging independence and the development of each child's individual talents and abilities. Sharon Aguilar, Director of Coker Early Learning Center, joins us to share about their traditions and sense of community, as well as programs like Gift of Time for young students w...

The Discovery School of San Antonio is an early childhood program that fosters a love of learning in children by letting them do what they do best: play. Mary Stanchak, Director of the Discovery School, joins us to share about how their experienced teachers provide students with individualized attention, creating a community of celebration.

The artists at the Magik Theatre use the power of theatre and storytelling for children that activates imagination, grows young minds, and inspires creativity. We visited Artistic Director Anthony Runfola in his office for a conversation about their current production, Schoolhouse Rock Live (through June 5) that helps raise awareness of civics in a fun, retro way. Anthony also shared about their s...