Large turnout backs Excelsior Charter School at San Bernardino County Board public hearing

Excelsior Charter School sought a five-year renewal during a public hearing before the San Bernardino County Board of Education on Jan. 12, 2026. School leaders detailed academic results, special‑education compliance, career-technical pathways and financial projections while dozens of students, alumni, staff and parents spoke in support.

The petitioners described statewide and local performance measures, saying Excelsior earned a “green” graduation rate of 90.9% and demonstrated notable gains for English learners. Director Lindsey Lee and other administrators outlined a hybrid model of in-person and independent study, quarterly data reviews, common curriculum housed in Canvas, and interventions such as STAR and Freckle. Leaders also emphasized supports for students experiencing homelessness and a partnership with the county’s precision analytics tool to monitor progress at each site.

Excelsior’s chief financial officer provided a conservative budget outlook showing a projected $730,000 planned excess of expenditures but an estimated fund balance of about $44.78 million as of June 30, 2026, the school said. Administrators said the school mitigated lower-than-expected first-year enrollment (189 students versus a planned 250) through grant deferrals, a charter-school growth fund award and anticipated SB-740 funding tied to demographics.

Speakers from the Excelsior community highlighted career technical education opportunities, including the new Academy of Beauty cosmetology program, which the cosmetology director said allows students to earn the 1,000 hours needed for California licensure at no cost to families. Student and alumni speakers described improved engagement, academic remediation, and pathways to college and careers. The California Charter Schools Association’s Inland Empire representative also urged the board to grant a five‑year term to help the school continue serving students countywide.

County board members asked clarifying questions about enrollment patterns, English‑learner performance and the feasibility of expanding cosmetology programming to an Ontario campus. Excelsior leaders said they would provide requested data on English‑learner proficiency and noted facility-size regulatory constraints for cosmetology programs.

The board did not decide the renewal at the hearing. The superintendent’s office reminded attendees that, under Education Code renewal procedures, the board will consider and act on the petition at its March 9 meeting. Until then, the public hearing record remains open for the board to consider community input and the materials filed with the renewal petition.

The hearing included detailed presentations from Excelsior staff and about two dozen public speakers who described personal and programmatic reasons to support the renewal request. The board thanked presenters and scheduled follow-up questions and data procurement ahead of the March action date.