Aspire Arts & Sciences Academy | TK–5 Charter School in Stockton

Welcome to the Aspire family! I am excited to have you join our newest elementary school. Aspire Arts and Sciences Academy will have a comprehensive academic program like all Aspire schools, yet what will set us apart is dedicated time for visual arts, science, and innovative performance tasks called ‘Celebrations of Learning.’ 

We focused on visual arts in years one and two, science and art in years three and four, and will maintain both art and science in year five. As our school grows into the fifth year, adding fourth grade, we will deepen instruction with a continued emphasis on science &  art for grades TK- second, swapping music for visual art, specifically ukulele in grades third and fourth. As we look to year six, we hope to have visual art, science, and music available at all grade levels. 

As we grow and cultivate our scholars’ learning, we’ll have several key initiatives that require parent participation, such as Saturday school, three Celebrations of Learning, Student Conferences,  community engagement meetings such as ELAC & Community Meetings (SSC), and, of course, support within the classroom. 

Aspire Public Schools’ new motto, “ Empowering Minds, Transforming Futures,” guides our instructional work. We strive to be equity-driven, data-informed, student-focused, and joyful daily.

I have a long history with Aspire Public Schools. I have served as an ELA Coach, senior content Specialist, Induction Director, and Coach Manager, and have led other training and initiatives. I love thinking about and implementing different and exciting ways to engage students in learning.

I come from a large family and have deep roots in Stockton. I attended UC Berkeley and graduated with a degree in fine arts. I began teaching youth art classes after college. After trying a few other career options, I realized I missed working with students. I substituted in a Migrant Ed classroom and, after a week, became a full-time teacher. I continued teaching at the same school site but moved into a first-grade classroom. After a few years, I moved to the Bay Area to teach at the first charter school in CA, San Carlos Charter Learning Center. At SCCLC, I met wonderful mentors who were both founding members of Aspire Public Schools. My work with Aspire Public Schools has always focused on bringing access to first-generation college students like myself. Our revised motto of Empowering Minds, Transforming Futures, will focus on allowing scholars to choose from trade school, college, service, or entrepreneurship. We want our scholars to be prepared for many options. I believe each student, especially Latinx and African–American students, should have the same education one finds in an upper-middle-class neighborhood. Our students deserve the same educational experiences and opportunities! One of the ways to enrich our school and the lives of our students is with an art and science focus. 

I look forward to meeting each of you very soon! 

Thank you, 

Ms. DeSantiago