Promesa Academy, located in San Antonio, is a place rooted in love, equity, and innovation. At the core of Promesa is building strong relationships with every student and supporting them with love. Coupled with this, Promesa designs rich learning experiences for their students that are both engaging and relevant. On November 1, 2023, Promesa Academy began accepting applications for enrollment for the 2024–25 school year. Open enrollment continues through February 9, 2024, and the lottery will be on February 16, 2024. You can still apply for enrollment. We have put together a guide to help you learn more about Promesa Academy in San Antonio and take steps to enroll your child for the next school year.
About Promesa Academy
Promesa Academy opened in August 2020 to serve elementary students with a school model that invites children to love learning. “There are no boundaries to what kids can do,” said founder Ambika Dani. In the 2024–25 school year, Promesa will serve students in kindergarten through fifth grade. They have plans to expand into middle school in the future.
One of the unique features about Promesa Academy is that students learn from subject matter expert teachers, even as young as kindergarten. So, the math teachers are people who love math and problem solving, and they get to spend their time teaching math to multiple groups of students. The teachers who focus on literacy, art, and music are themselves authors, artists, and musicians, respectively. When young children are taught by subject matter expert teachers, it builds a strong foundation in those areas and the teachers’ passion and knowledge helps to inspire their youngest learners.
Building strong relationships with every child is a core element of the school culture at Promesa. The process of building relationships starts at the very beginning. “It’s in how we greet students at the door, when we open the car door,” said Dani. “We learn that a student likes Baby Yoda, and that’s the beginning of a bond.” Once students feel loved and safe, then they are capable of learning, but without that foundation of love and safety, no one can expect students to be ready to learn.
Through partnerships, Promesa Academy is able to introduce their students to authentic learning experiences. As Promesa grows, they continue to have field trips and bring experts into the classroom to continue to help their students make connections between what they are learning in the classroom and what is happening in the world around them. In 2023, Promesa Academy was awarded a SPARK! Grant from Charter School Growth Fund to reimagine how community partnerships could be maximized as part of the weekly schedule. The school recently launched Project SPARK! Fridays where students engage in projects of their choice with support from community partners including Gardopia, Wonder Theatre Academy, Gemini Ink, and more. Students are also offered the opportunity to learn through off-campus field trips as part of their projects. This new program capitalizes on the many learning available in the San Antonio community and brings rich learning experiences to all Promesa students.
To learn more about Promesa Academy in the news, we recommend that you click on the articles linked at the bottom of this post. Also, we invite you to join the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group on Facebook and ask questions; the group includes current Promesa Academy families who can comment with answers based on their own experiences.
Promesa Academy in San Antonio
Promesa Academy has one campus on San Antonio’s West Side, serving grades K–5 in 2024–25. The address is 603 Merida St., San Antonio, TX 78207 (map), and the main phone number is 210-942-1700. As seen on the 2023–24 calendar, the school follows a traditional academic calendar. In 2022, the school received their first district report card and school report card.
Download the free San Antonio Charter Schools app for an interactive map that includes Promesa Academy. You can also find campus information about Promesa Academy (and many other schools of choice) in our Guide to Charter Schools in San Antonio.
Enroll at Promesa Academy
Families can apply online to enroll their children at Promesa Academy in San Antonio. Enrollment for the current school year is ongoing. Open enrollment for the 2024–25 school year began on November 1, 2023 and will continue through February 9, 2024. The lottery will be on February 16, 2024. Students who are selected will receive a notice inviting them to register; the remaining students will be placed on waiting lists, and will be notified if a spot becomes available.
During application season, there will be opportunities for families to learn more about Promesa Academy. School tours are available upon request. Families can get more information, or ask for help with their applications, by calling 210-942-1700, reaching out through the website, or sending a message through social media. We recommend that you follow these Promesa Academy social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.
In addition, please join the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group on Facebook to post questions and get feedback from current Promesa Academy families.
Facts About Promesa Academy
In addition to time spent on core subjects, students at Promesa Academy take electives such as coding, community beautification, creative writing, dance, fitness club, gardening, STEAM, Spanish stories, and yoga.
The campus has four buildings, containing classrooms and a cafeteria, that are located surrounding a courtyard area for outdoor learning. Promesa Academy has eight acres of land, so there is room for community-designed play spaces and gardens as the school grows. A turf field in the recess area is coming soon. With support from an Eco-Scholars Grant and Gardopia, a new urban garden is under construction. By the completion of the 2023–24 school year, the Promesa campus will have multiple raised garden beds, a rainwater collection system, a composter, and a chicken coop. This new space opens up so many possibilities for hands-on learning about our world. Additionally, a turf field is being added to the playground, greatly expanding their play area.
Promesa Academy has an active Parent Teacher Organization. The members work in service to the school community and have a voice in school decisions that affect families. The school works to be responsive to the needs of its families by offering services such as free transportation for students and distributions of food, books, and holiday gifts.
Initially, founder Ambika Dani made a conscious decision to locate Promesa Academy in the 78207 zip code, a historically underserved area of San Antonio. For years before Promesa Academy opened its doors to students, Dani and her team built relationships with nonprofits that work with families on the West Side of San Antonio. Because of those contacts, the Promesa Academy team is able to call on those nonprofits and businesses to provide aid for students and their families. The school serves a racially and socioeconomically diverse group of students.
Promesa Academy is a partner of Choose to Succeed, a nonprofit organization working to attract the nation’s best public charter schools to San Antonio and help successful schools to grow.
If you like what you have learned so far about Promesa Academy in San Antonio, we recommend that you apply for enrollment now. You are also welcome to join the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group to learn more and interact with current Promesa Academy families.
Charter Moms Chats
Watch Isaac Williams, Interim Superintendent of Promesa Academy, Ana Aguilera, Principal, and Julie Rothlauf, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, speak with Inga Cotton on Charter Moms Chats on November 16, 2023 at 4:00 PM Central live on Facebook and YouTube.
Isaac Williams is an exceptional educational leader whose remarkable journey has been guided by a profound commitment to student success, equity, and excellence in education. As the newly appointed Interim Superintendent of Promesa Academy Charter School, Mr. Williams brings a wealth of experience, unwavering dedication, and a personal understanding of the challenges students face.
Born in the vibrant city of El Paso, Texas, Isaac’s early years were shaped by his upbringing in Mexico before he relocated to the United States at a young age. As an emergent bilingual student, he faced the unique challenges of adapting to a new language and cultural experiences that would profoundly influence his educational philosophy. Isaac’s formative years were marked by the invaluable lessons learned from his grandmother, who lovingly raised him while his mother tirelessly worked three jobs to provide for their family. These early life experiences instilled in him the core values of resilience, determination, and the intrinsic worth of hard work.
His journey in education began as an AVID tutor, a role that ignited his passion for teaching and supporting students. He embarked on his teaching career as an English I instructor at a small credit-recovery charter high school, where he made a significant impact on students striving to overcome educational hurdles. Recognized for his dedication and effectiveness, he transitioned to a comprehensive 6A high school within the Socorro Independent School District, where he continued to excel as an educator. Isaac’s career trajectory led him to the role of Assistant Principal at a middle school in the El Paso Independent School District, where he honed his leadership skills and further deepened his commitment to fostering educational success.
His leadership journey reached new heights as he assumed the position of Principal for an elementary within IDEA Public Schools, a role where he continued to champion excellence and innovation in education. Isaac’s relentless pursuit of educational excellence did not go unnoticed, culminating in his most recent role as the Executive Director of Schools for the ResponsiveEd charter network, overseeing ten campuses throughout the State of Texas.
Isaac Williams is a certified teacher and principal in the state of Texas, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies, this is coupled by having a Master’s Degrees in Leadership Studies and a Master’s Degrees in Educational Administration and Leadership. His dedication to professional growth and development is further evidenced by his participation as a presenter at esteemed events such as the Texas STEM Conference in 2020 and the University Council
for Educational Administration in 2017.
As the newly appointed Interim Superintendent of Promesa Academy Charter School, Isaac Williams is poised to lead with unwavering dedication, vision, and a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the educational landscape. His commitment to educational excellence, equity, and student success will undoubtedly inspire and empower the entire Promesa Academy Charter School community. Together, we look forward to a future of limitless
possibilities in education under his guidance and leadership.
Ana Aguilera is the Principal at Promesa Academy Charter School. She brings with her over 20 years of experience as an elementary educator and administrator in various charter networks. After 15 years in the classroom, Ms. Aguilera shifted her focus to administration with a mission to support teachers who strive to effect positive change in their students. Recognizing that teachers serve as the foundation of any school community, she believes in equipping them with tools and fostering a culture of appreciation, and ensuring the welfare of students and their families through positive educational impact. Ms. Aguilera comprehends the importance of establishing connections for academic achievement among all students. She is committed to prioritizing social-emotional well-being and support for staff and students, ensuring a safe and joyous environment. She pledges to lead by example, immersing herself in the campus and community, and consistently seeking personal and professional growth.
Julie Rothlauf is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Promesa Academy Charter School.
Read More About Promesa Academy
- “Charter Moms Chats — Promesa Academy, With Ambika Dani,” YouTube, October 25, 2022
- “Local elementary school welcomes back students and staff with therapy dogs,” News 4 San Antonio, September 5, 2022
- “Charter Moms Chats — Promesa Academy Charter School, With Ambika Dani,” YouTube, October 28, 2021
- “Virtual learning opportunity creates real enrollment spike at San Antonio charter school,” Lauren Kendrick, Spectrum News 1, September 3, 2021
- “Charter Moms Chats — Promesa Academy, With Ambika Dani,” YouTube, December 14, 2020
- “Masked up and Zoomed in: Sights and sounds of a virtual first week of school,” Emily Donaldson and Jackie Wang, San Antonio Report, August 19, 2020
- “Discover Math All Around Us,” Ambika Dani, San Antonio Charter Moms, June 10, 2020
- “Brand new charter school surprises families with puppy parade,” Danielle Moody, News 4 San Antonio, May 22, 2020
- “3 New San Antonio Charter Schools Plan to Open in Fall 2020,” Emily Donaldson, San Antonio Report, April 27, 2020
- “Kids learn coding to thank those working during COVID-19,” Alicia Barrera, KSAT 12, April 16, 2020
- “Seven new San Antonio-area charter schools planned to open by 2020,” Ryan Salchert, San Antonio Business Journal, June 12, 2019
- “Two Applicants Look to Open New Charter Schools in San Antonio,” Emily Donaldson, San Antonio Report, May 1, 2019
- “State Board of Education Approves New San Antonio Charter for Fall 2019,” Emily Donaldson, San Antonio Report, June 15, 2018
- “‘It Should Be a Challenge’: How Charter Schools Get Approved in Texas,” Emily Donaldson, San Antonio Report, June 15, 2018
- “An Introduction to Promesa Academy at the First Information Meeting,” San Antonio Charter Moms, November 9, 2017
