Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Charter Schools topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rhodes Academy charter petition draws broad community support in Pomona public hearing
Summary
At a statutorily required public hearing Dec. 10, founders and community members presented Rhodes Academy, a proposed charter emphasizing business, financial literacy and AI. Dozens of speakers, including students and local business owners, urged the board to approve the petition at a future action meeting.
The Pomona Unified School District held the first of two statutorily required public hearings on Dec. 10 for the Rhodes Academy School of Business and Financial Literacy charter petition. Dr. Angelica Merrill, speaking for the petitioners, described the proposal as “rooted in Pomona and built with the community in mind” and framed the school around three core pillars: business and entrepreneurship, financial literacy and AI literacy.
"Our mission is to empower tomorrow's leaders through innovative education, financial literacy, and experiential learning," Dr. Merrill said during the presentation. She said the school’s instructional model — the Rhodes Empowerment Learning Model (REALM) — is designed to support multilingual students, students with IEPs and 504 plans, and accelerated learners through personalized goals and embedded supports.
Community speakers who support the petition included founders and organizers, local business owners, educators and students. Willie Merrill, director of business operations for Rhodes Academy, told the board: "A vote in favor of Rhodes is a vote in favor of opportunity." An eighth‑grade student named Atticus said he hopes the school’s internships and small class sizes will prepare him for entrepreneurship and college.
Other supporters — including Rosa Casillas, a retired district employee and longtime Pomona resident, and business owner Monica Flores — emphasized local roots and the academy’s focus on practical skills. Walter Rodriguez, a disabled veteran, said the curriculum could provide financial tools he lacked earlier in life and urged the board to view the petition as a partnership opportunity.
The public hearing was informational only; the board did not take action on the charter at the meeting. Board members and staff may consider additional materials before a future vote.
