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, join us to share about the school's rich culture and to offer advice about applying during open enrollment in the month of February.

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 workforce in San Antonio.

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 families can learn more about the school and enroll their students.

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 Academies, Harris Middle School, and Briscoe and Woodlawn Hills Elementary Schools. Yareli Melendez, Diploma Programme Coordinator at Thomas Jefferson High School, joins us to discuss the IB curriculum at her school and share how it is helping her students become more active, compassionate learners.

"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 preparatory program that helps scholars reach their full potential.

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 Winston School, also joins to discuss the school's programs, including outreach events like the Learning Symposium.

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 Fernandez, Executive Director, both at the Office of Access and Enrollment Services in SAISD, join us to talk about SAISD Choice Schools, including the impact of SAISD's Rightsizing plan, and offer advice about the enrollment process.