Blueprint

Expanding educational opportunities for students in under-resourced communities

PCSD

TCSD Presents at 2024 TPCSA Conference

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TCSD is presenting at the 2024 TPCSA Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

Education Session:

Facility Solutions for Charter School Operators
October 21, 2024 | 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm

School leaders cite facilities’ challenges as a primary barrier to the success of a school. The process is often lengthy, risky, and emotional, which drains capacity and can lead to high turnover. Operators often have limited access to the support and guidance that they need. Hear from a school, a financial expert, and a developer about lessons learned from the field. This session will focus on what facilities solutions are available, what steps an operator should take, and how they can partner with the right team.  We will use a case study from a charter school to walk through the process.

At the end of the session, participants will have a clearer understanding of the following:

  1. Exploring Diverse Facilities Solutions: Discover a range of solutions tailored to address your school’s unique needs and circumstances.
  2. Demystifying Financing and Affordability: Gain clarity on financing options and strategies to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
  3. Embracing Flexibility and Problem-Solving: Cultivate adaptable problem-solving skills, recognizing the importance of exploring multiple options for success.

Presenters:

  • Eric Kot, Executive Director, Texas
  • Ivan Zapata, Project Director, Texas
  • Anna Johnson, Director of Finance
  • Memry Bender, Dean of Operations, Elevate Collegiate Charter School

Read here to learn more about the TPCSA Conference.

PCSD Receives $3M Grant from Houston Endowment to Expand Charter School Facility Development in Houston

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At PCSD/TCSD, we believe that access to high-quality education begins with providing students and teachers the spaces they need to learn, grow, and succeed. We’re thrilled to announce that PCSD/TCSD has been awarded a $3M grant from Houston Endowment to further this mission by supporting charter school facility development in the Greater Houston area. This is the second grant the Houston Endowment has awarded PCSD, reinforcing their commitment to expanding educational opportunities across the city.

This significant investment is part of the Texas Charter School Development Facilities Fund and will enable us to continue our work with new and existing charter schools, ensuring they have the resources and spaces required to meet their growing needs. Houston is home to a dynamic and rapidly expanding charter school sector, and this grant comes at a pivotal moment as demand for charter schools continues to rise.

Supporting Under-resourced Communities

The Houston Endowment grant will directly impact under-resourced communities by making it possible for more students to access high-quality, mission-driven learning environments. With this support, we can work alongside charter schools to develop affordable, sustainable, and scalable facilities that reflect each school’s unique vision and needs. These new projects will not only meet current demand but also lay the foundation for long-term growth and success in the years to come.

Why Facilities Matter

We know that a well-designed school facility isn’t just about providing a building—it’s about creating an environment that fosters educational equity. A school’s physical space plays a crucial role in student achievement, teacher retention, and overall community engagement. This grant empowers us to expand our impact in Houston and ensure that every student, no matter their zip code, has access to the quality learning spaces they deserve.

Looking Ahead

As we embark on this next phase of development in Houston and beyond, we’re excited to partner with more charter schools to make a meaningful difference. Whether it’s building new campuses, expanding existing ones, or converting spaces into innovative learning hubs, we’re committed to providing solutions that enable schools to focus on what matters most—educating the next generation.

A huge thank you to the Houston Endowment for their belief in our work and their dedication to advancing educational equity. This grant represents a major step forward for both PCSD/TCSD and the students, families, and communities we serve in Houston.

Stay tuned for updates as we begin rolling out new projects and watch our vision for Houston’s charter school landscape continue to grow!

PCSD Presents at 2024 CSDC Conference

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PCSD is presenting at the 2024 CSDC Conference in Sacramento alongside Artik Art & Architecture, Lighthouse Community Public Schools, and UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation.

Education Session:

Enhancing Charter School Facilities for Climate Resiliency
November 18, 2024 | 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm

This session brings together educators, architects, policymakers, developers, and sustainability experts to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing charter schools today: climate resiliency.

Charter schools play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education, and their facilities must be equipped to withstand the increasing challenges posed by climate change.

This session provides a platform for stakeholders to explore sustainable building practices, resilience strategies, and policy frameworks tailored to charter school environments.

Participants will engage in insightful discussions on a range of topics, including:

  • Designing Climate-Adaptive Schools: Integrating renewable energy sources, sustainable materials, and innovative architectural designs to enhance resilience against extreme weather events.
  • Policy and Funding Initiatives: Examining governmental policies and funding mechanisms that support climate-resilient infrastructure in charter schools.
  • Educational Impacts: Understanding how resilient school facilities contribute to a safe and conducive learning environment, fostering student well-being and academic success.

Participants will gain practical insights and actionable strategies to transform charter school facilities into resilient, sustainable assets. Whether you’re an educator looking to enhance your school’s environmental footprint or a partner shaping future development plans, this session offers invaluable opportunities to network, learn, and drive meaningful change in charter school infrastructure.

Join us in advancing the future of education through resilient and sustainable charter school facilities. Together, we can build a more secure and sustainable environment for generations to come.

Presenters:

  • Bill Gould, President, Artik Art & Architecture
  • Rich Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, Lighthouse Community Public Schools
  • Jennifer Afdahl Rice, Executive Director, Northern California, Pacific Charter School Development
  • Lana Zimmerman, Associate Project Manager, ULCA Luskin Center for Innovation

Read here to learn more about this session.

PCSD Hosts CIWI Interns for Fourth Year

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For the fourth consecutive year, Pacific Charter School Development’s Northern California team proudly sponsored a group of interns through the Construction Industry Workforce Initiative (CIWI).

On July 25th, we welcomed ten talented CIWI interns, all currently enrolled in universities and colleges across California. These students are diving into various fields within the construction industry, from civil engineering to construction management, development, and architecture.

The day kicked off with introductions to our team and a site tour at each site with the general contractor (Overaa) at Education for Change’s Achieve Academy and BayTech in Oakland. The interns observed a project nearing completion of three years of work at Achieve Academy and an opportunity to experience the mid stages of renovation and transition of the 100 year old Palace Theater at BayTech.

During the visit, we provided an overview of the entitlement, funding, design, and construction process for each project, highlighting the challenges that come with them and how our teams tackle these obstacles effectively. The interns gained valuable insights into the paths that can lead to successful careers in the construction industry.

We’re excited to see how these future industry leaders will shape the world of construction and contribute to creating better educational environments. Here’s to many more years of fostering talent, building strong foundations, and partnering with CIWI!

Monte Wilson, CIWI Project Director, reflecting on the event, enthusiastically stated, “Touring the two PCSD sites in Fruitvale was incredible. Seeing the transformation at Achieve Academy, which we visited last year, was truly inspiring, and the BayTech site left us all in awe. But what stood out just as much was Mary Grace Houlihan’s emphasis on the wraparound resources for students and families that will be available on-site. Truly stellar work!”

Meeting More of the PCSD Team

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Who did you meet with today?

Today, I had the opportunity to meet with Stephanie Guerrero, a project manager, Jennifer Afdahl Rice, an executive director, Mary Grace Houlihan, a project director, Anna Johnson, a director of finance, and Akil Manley, a regional director.

Where do they work? What does the company do?

Everyone previously mentioned works at PCSD, which is a non-profit organization that helps charter schools find and develop facilities. PCSD is really unique because they are one of the few organizations that recycle their money. They help schools with low interest loans to which schools eventually pay PCSD back over time. 

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

Today I got to learn about the background of some of the PCSD employees and their journey of how they got here. Anna had a law degree and had always worked within charter schools which led her to becoming a project manager, but after some time, she switched to become a finance director. On the other hand, Jennifer always knew that she liked math and wanted to help the community so she did so a couple years traveling in Africa where she worked on many loans for a while and she eventually found PCSD, which incorporated her desire for helping the community. Next, Mary Grace used to work in the public sector, transit to be specific, and now she is a Project Director which is less stressful than her previous job. In fact, she mentioned that this would be her retirement job because of how great it is. Next is Akil, and he actually graduated with a political science degree and told us his story about working with charter schools for 10 years. Then he taught us about the factors that PCSD looks at before deciding on a location for a school. 

Some highlights of the day included the advice that the PCSD team gave us. For example, Anna said, “people find their path in a lot of different ways”; which means that everyone’s path isn’t just one straight line and people have to manage their way through obstacles that get in their way. Similar to Anna, Akil said when “you’re not ok, it’s not over “ and “it’s your grind.” This means that it’s all about the work that you decide to put in. These specific quotes resonated with me because it goes to show that it doesn’t matter where you got your degree from or where you are from because both Anna and Akil studied something different from what they are currently working in, which goes to show that they are still growing and learning. 

What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development?

One of the key insights I gained was understanding what Akil takes into account when trying to find a new building for a school. For example, if it is convenient for both teachers and students, which involves looking at traffic and public transportation. That was only an example but there are many more factors that Akil and the PCSD team take into account.

Did you become more interested in the field after today?

After today’s experience, I found myself more interested and motivated in pursuing real estate after high school because of the exposure from today and the encouraging words that the team shared.