How do families learn more about school options? One way is to visit a school fair. On March 3, 2018, Families Empowered staged a South Side School Choice Fair on the campus of Compass Rose Academy at Brooks. In case you couldn’t make it to the fair, here is a recap to highlight the schools that participated. Let’s hope this south side event—featuring mariachi music, a food truck, and more—becomes an annual tradition.
Families Empowered is a nonprofit that helps parents research school options. Their school search tool is especially helpful for locating schools near your home or work. Quincy Boyd, on the left, is the San Antonio Regional Director for Families Empowered. On the right is Ray Tijerina, Director of Special Projects for Compass Rose Academy.
Commenting on the School Choice Fair, Tijerina said, “It was great to see public ISDs and public charters coming together to benefit the families of the Southside. This collaboration was the first of an annual tradition moving forward, so that all families can make informed decisions when it comes to their children’s needs.”
The host school, Compass Rose Academy, currently serves grades 6–7 and is enrolling for grades 6–8 for 2018–19. The school opened in August 2017; read more about their program in this earlier post.
Many more schools and organizations gathered at the South Side School Choice Fair to meet with families.
Brooks Academy is now enrolling for grades K–12 at Brooks Academy of Science and Engineering (BASE), grades PK–5 at Brooks Oaks Academy, grades K–5 at Brooks Lone Star Academy, and grades K–12 at Brooks Collegiate Academy.
Jubilee Academies is now enrolling grades PK–8 at Jubilee Highland Hills, grades PK–8 at Jubilee Highland Park, grades PK–12 at Jubilee Lake View University Prep, and grades K–12 at Jubilee San Antonio.
KIPP San Antonio Public Schools is now enrolling for grades 5–8 at KIPP Aspire, grades 5–8 at KIPP Camino, grades K–4 at KIPP Esperanza Dual Language Academy, grades 5–8 at KIPP Poder, grades K–4 at KIPP Un Mundo Dual Language Academy, and grades 9–12 KIPP University Prep.
LEEP Dual Language Academies was represented by Dr. Verenice Gutiérrez, Chief Academic Officer. Learn more about this new school opening August 2018 in this earlier post. Open enrollment will begin Monday, March 19.
New Frontiers Public Schools is now enrolling for grades K–8 at Frank L. Madla Accelerated College Academy and grades 9–12 at Frank L. Madla Early College High School at Palo Alto College. In this picture, Elizabeth Gonzalez and Principal Jeffrey D. Flores are talking with Beth Hawkins, contributor at The74.
Pre-K 4 SA is now enrolling preschool students who will be four years old in 2018–19. Learn more about the program by reading this earlier post about the Pre-K 4 SA South education center.
Promesa Academy is in the charter application phase; the team is preparing for the next stage, an interview with the State Board of Education. If approved, Promesa Academy would open in August 2019, with a goal of serving grades K–5. This earlier post about a Promesa Academy information session tells you more about their goals and school model.
San Antonio Can High School, currently enrolling grades 9–12, gives students a second chance to earn a high school diploma, and provides the support they need to overcome obstacles.
San Antonio ISD is now enrolling for a variety of choice schools and programs.
The School of Science and Technology (SST) is now enrolling grades 6–12 at SST San Antonio, grades K–8 at SST Alamo, and grades K–8 at SST Discovery.
Single Seed School is a proposed PK–12 public charter school that plans to open in Converse in August 2019. In the meantime, Single Seed offers free tutoring for students in grades 2–6. This earlier post about a public forum for Single Seed School has more information about their school model, including competency-based learning.
South San Antonio ISD students performed mariachi music. South San offers in-district school choice among its middle schools: a STEM magnet at Dwight Middle School, a fine arts magnet at Shepherd Middle School, and health science magnet at Zamora Middle School.
Southwest Preparatory School is now enrolling at its campuses. Regional Development Director José Macias, on the left, is holding the Knights mascot.
The South Side School Choice Fair, organized by Families Empowered and hosted by Compass Rose Academy, was a great opportunity for families to learn about a variety of school options. With a fun atmosphere and a focus on the south side, this event has the makings of an annual tradition.
Read more:
- Guide to Charter Schools in San Antonio at San Antonio Charter Moms
- Guide to San Antonio Area Schools at Alamo City Moms Blog
