Tag: San Antonio Charter Moms

Get Ready for School Discovery Day at The DoSeum: What to Expect

San Antonio’s largest charter-choice school fair brings together representatives from more than 40 campuses and organizations for one extraordinary day of family fun. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

SAN ANTONIO, TX — San Antonio Charter Moms is pleased to host the upcoming School Discovery Day at The DoSeum on Saturday January 25, 2025, held in conjunction with National School Choice Week (January 26–February 1) and the flagship event in San Antonio Charter Moms’ annual, free School Discovery Days series. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2025)

The weeklong, national celebration highlights the diverse educational options available via schools of choice and the many benefits they may provide. Considered the leading local school search authority, San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) provides easy access to extensive, unbiased school resources such as online discussion groups, articles, live videos, enrollment guides, podcasts, and a school finder app. Perhaps the most anticipated and impactful of all, their in-person School Discovery Days bring dozens of local schools of choice together in kid-friendly locations throughout the city so families can easily learn more about their educational options. Guests attending 2025’s flagship event will not only be able to meet with over 40 schools and organizations but will also have exclusive access to The DoSeum’s 68,000 square feet of wow-worthy, interactive galleries designed to cultivate curiosity, ignite learning, and discover the power of play. 

The entire DoSeum will be reserved for School Discovery Day attendees from 9a.m. until noon. Upon checking in, each family will receive a free tote bag (while supplies last) with goodies and information and have the opportunity to participate in a scavenger hunt. SACM team members will be on hand to answer questions about the event and general school search topics. Representatives from participating schools will be present throughout the DoSeum to meet interested parents and prospective students, provide enrollment information, and answer questions. School models at the event will include public charter schools, in-district charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, preschools, and homeschooling. Families will also be able to investigate many learning models represented by various participating schools, including child-centered learning, classical education, STEM, dual language, college and career readiness, culturally responsive schools, functional needs schools, and credit recovery schools. AIM Educate, a San Antonio-based company providing special education therapies and evaluations, will be onsite help families understand the private evaluation process and diagnostic options. Futuro San Antonio will connect with families to help them become strong education advocates. 

Of course, at a setting like the DoSeum, play goes hand-in-hand with education, and there will be plenty of fun to be had for School Discovery Day attendees of all ages. Guests who participate in the scavenger hunt and interact with schools can enter a raffle to win a prize. In addition to up to three hours of exploring the DoSeum, other entertainment options include live sets by the young DJs from The AM Project, a mobile petting zoo from Once in a Wild, and demonstrations by FIRST in Texas robotics teams. 

Attending families MUST pre-register for this free, limited-capacity event by signing up every attendee over the age of one, unregistered guests will not be admitted. This popular event typically sees high demand, so prompt pre-registration is advised — once 1,000 guests have signed up, registration will be closed. Guests should plan to arrive on the early side, as SACM will stop admitting guests at 11:30a.m. and all School Discovery Day Attendees must leave the DoSeum by 12p.m. The raffle drawing will be held at 11:40a.m.

The DoSeum
2800 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209

And stay tuned for this upcoming event:

SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT HEMISFAIR

When: Saturday, March 1, 2025, 11a.m. – 2p.m.
Where: Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, 434 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78205
What: Families visiting School Discovery Day at Hemisfair can meet with more than 20 top schools as they enjoy the fantastic amenities of Yanaguana Garden, including a splash pad, sand play area, table games, swings, climbing structures, picnic area, restaurants, and more. Guests are encouraged to register online.

San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) began as a blog in 2012 when Founder Inga Cotton was inspired to help San Antonio families more easily learn about high-quality school options. The blog has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares fair information about all types of schools, be they charter, private, or public.

San Antonio Charter Moms hosts School Discovery Day

Families enjoy a FREE day at the DoSeum during SACM’s School Discovery Day to kick off National School Choice Week. Photo: SACM, used with permission.

To kick off National School Choice Week, San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) will be hosting its most popular event of the School Discovery Day series at the DoSeum on Saturday, January 20, from 11a.m. – 2p.m. The first 1,000 guests who register online for this free event will have the chance to meet with representatives from 37 of San Antonio’s top schools while also gaining complimentary access to The DoSeum’s 68,000 square feet of galleries. SACM representatives will provide hands-on guidance in navigating the nonprofit’s online school search tools, application materials and extensive, unbiased education resources while team members from MindshiftED provide additional guidance and interpretation for Spanish speakers. The event is free and open to the public. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2024)

SACM’s School Discovery Day Series is the largest school fair series of its kind and is held annually during the height of San Antonio’s enrollment season for charter and choice schools, currently underway for the 2024-2025 academic year. National School Choice Week, January 21–27, 2024, is a national celebration of opportunities for all families to choose the K–12 educational options that best fit their children.

With more than 175 schools of choice, a booming population of new families, and a major “rightsizing” plan slated to close 15 schools in San Antonio ISD next year, San Antonio’s educational offerings have never been more diverse or important. Time is of the essence for families looking to explore their options. To prepare, SACM’s family-friendly School Discovery Days are an excellent place for families to make the most of their search window. San Antonio Charter Moms is designed to make the often overwhelming process of finding the right school less complicated for families. These events offer the perfect opportunity for parents and caregivers to ask questions, fill out applications, and learn about the enrollment process while enjoying some quality family time in the process.

“School Discovery Days are very valuable because you get to talk with school representatives in a relaxed environment and get a feel for their education philosophy and school community. Instead of just reading about a school or doing a quick tour, you have more time to get to know school staff and parents to further evaluate whether it would be a good fit for your child. For example, when you talk to a school leader, you can hear their passion or lack thereof. You can see if their philosophy is more traditional and formal or modern and relaxed. It’s all about gathering as much information as possible and trying to determine what it would be like to interact with the school’s administration and community on a frequent basis.” – Kat Gomez, local charter school parent and frequent contributor within SACM’s Facebook Discussion Group.

SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT THE DOSEUM (Flagship Event | National School Choice Week)

Saturday, January 20, 2024, 11a.m. – 2p.m.

The DoSeum (Theatre Entrance)
2800 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209

Guests will enter the theater, just to the left of the DoSeum’s main entrance, where they will be greeted by the beats of the young DJs from The AM Project. Once inside the theater, SACM team members will usher visitors to connect with and explore the participating schools. This year, the event will extend beyond the theatre and into the first and second floor galleries allowing families to come for the information and stay for the fun. Guests who complete the scavenger hunt can enter a raffle for a chance to win a $100 gift card. Families can see the list of participating schools, learn more about the fun activities planned for the day and find free onsite parking information by visiting SACM online to learn more.

A snapshot of future events in the School Discovery Day series is listed below.

SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH

Saturday, February 3, 2024, 11a.m. – 2p.m.

Second Baptist Church Community Center
3310 E. Commerce St.
San Antonio, TX 78220

School Discovery Day at Second Baptist Church guests can head to the Community Center to dance to the beats of The AM Project, catch Once in a Wild mobile zoo’s animal program, and get creative with face painting. Nearly 25 schools will be available for families to meet during this free event. Click here for online registration.

SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT HEMISFAIR

Saturday, March 2, 2024, 11a.m. – 2p.m.

Central Games Plaza in Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair
434 S. Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78205

Families visiting School Discovery Day at Hemisfair can meet with more than 30 top schools as they enjoy the fantastic amenities of Yanaguana Garden, including a splash pad, sand play area, table games, swings, climbing structures, picnic area, restaurants, and more. Guests are encouraged to register online. Considered the leading local school search authority on all learning models, SACM provides easy access to extensive, unbiased school resources such as online discussion groups with over 11K members, articles, live videos, enrollment guides, podcasts, a school finder app and perhaps the most anticipated and impactful of all, their in-person School Discovery Day Series held annually during enrollment season.

San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) began as a blog in 2012 when Founder Inga Cotton was inspired to help San Antonio families more easily learn about high-quality school options. The blog has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares fair information about all types of schools, be they charter, private, or public.

San Antonio Charter Moms hosts free School Discovery Day at The DoSeum

In celebration of National School Choice Week, families can visit with nearly 30 participating schools. Photo: San Antonio Charter Moms, used with permission.

San Antonio Charter Moms continues the School Discovery Day event series with its largest event yet to be held at The DoSeum on Saturday, January 21 from 11a.m. to 2p.m. In celebration of National School Choice Week (January 22 – January 28), families will have the opportunity to meet school representatives from nearly 30 top San Antonio choice schools, ask questions, get on interest lists and learn about application processes and deadlines. School Discovery Days are free events that connect families with schools in a face-to-face format that enables them to interact directly with multiple school representatives in one convenient location. Families can receive hands-on guidance from the San Antonio Charter Moms team on navigating the nonprofit’s online tools and resources designed to simplify the search and application process. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2023)

With over 150 schools of choice in the San Antonio area alone, parents and caregivers can quickly become overwhelmed trying to find the right fit for their child’s individual learning needs. Considered the leading authority for assisting local families in their school search, San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) is designed to help parents and caregivers make informed decisions by providing easy access to extensive school resources such as online discussion groups with over 10K members, articles, live videos, enrollment guides, podcasts, a school finder app and perhaps the most anticipated and impactful of all, their in-person School Discovery Day Series held annually during enrollment season. The series is the largest of its kind in San Antonio, a free school fair event series focusing on charter and choice schools in the area. The events are free, open to the public, and a huge asset to families trying to make sense of the myriad of great school options in San Antonio.

School Discovery Day at the DoSeum (Flagship Event | National School Choice Week)
The theater at The DoSeum, 2800 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
School Discovery Day is a free event in The DoSeum’s theater space. Guests will be greeted by the beats of the young DJs of The AM Project. With admission, guests can navigate The DoSeum’s 68,000 square feet of wow-worthy galleries designed to cultivate curiosity, ignite learning, and discover the power of play through interactive fun.

National School Choice Week, January 22–28, is a celebration of the process of allowing every family to choose the K–12 educational options that best fit their children. SACM will host nearly 30 schools during this, the flagship event of the series.

Participating Schools: Anne Frank Inspire Academy, BASIS Charter Schools, Brooks Academies of Texas, CAST Schools, Compass Rose Public Schools, Edgewood ISD Schools of Innovation, Essence Prep, The Gathering Place, Great Hearts of Texas, Harmony Public Schools, IDEA Public Schools, Jubilee Academies, KIPP Texas – San Antonio, Learn4Life Edgewood, Legacy Traditional Schools – Texas, Lighthouse Public Schools, New Frontiers Public Schools, Pre-K 4SA, Prelude Prep, Promesa Academy, Royal Public Schools, SA Prep, SAISD Choice Schools, School of Science and Technology and Southwest Prep.

Other scheduled events:
School Discovery Day at Second Baptist Church – Saturday, February 4, 11a.m. – 2p.m.
Second Baptist Church Community Center, 3310 E. Commerce St., San Antonio, TX 78220
Second Baptist Church is a historic Black congregation dating back to 1879 now located on the Eastside of San Antonio near the AT&T Center. Inside the Community Center, event guests can sample specialty hot dogs by Doolittle’s Mobile Kitchen, dance to the beats of The AM Project, catch Once in a Wild mobile zoo’s animal program, and get creative with face painting.

School Discovery Day at Hangar 9 – Saturday, February 18, 11a.m. – 2p.m.
Hangar 9 at Brooks, 8081 Inner Circle Dr., San Antonio, TX 78223
Hangar 9, built in 1918, is the oldest wooden aircraft hangar of its kind still standing in its original location; now it is an event space at Brooks, a vibrant community on the site of a former Air Force base. Guests at School Discovery Day at Hangar 9 can meet with 25 top schools as they sample specialty hot dogs by Doolittle’s Mobile Kitchen, dance to the beats of The AM Project, catch Once in a Wild mobile zoo’s animal program, and get creative with face painting.

School Discovery Day at Hemisfair (Spring) – Saturday, March 4, 11a.m. – 2p.m.
Central Games Plaza in Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, 434 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78205
Hemisfair is a landmark park in downtown San Antonio. Families visiting School Discovery Day at Hemisfair can meet with over 15 top schools as they enjoy the fantastic amenities of Yanaguana Garden, including a splash pad, sand play area, table games, swings, climbing structures, picnic area, restaurants, and more.

San Antonio Charter Moms kicks off largest School Discovery Days series

The first School Discovery Days event will be this Saturday October 22 at Hemisfair’s Yanaguana Garden. Photo: San Antonio Charter Moms, used with permission.

Nowadays there are over 150 schools of choice in the San Antonio area alone. How do you define school choice? Simply put, school choice is the process of allowing every family to choose the PK-12 educational options that best fit their children’s learning needs regardless of zip code. Every child is unique, and all children learn differently. Some children might succeed at the neighborhood public school, while others might fit in better at a charter, magnet, online, private, or home learning environment. With so many options, parents and caregivers can quickly become overwhelmed. That is where the nonprofit San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) goes to work. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2022)

Considered the leading authority for assisting local families in their school search, the nonprofit is designed to help parents and caregivers make informed decisions. San Antonio Charter Moms provides easy access to extensive school resources such as online discussion groups with over 10K members, articles, live videos, enrollment guides, podcasts, a school finder app, and perhaps the most anticipated and impactful of all, their in-person School Discovery Day Series held annually during enrollment season.

SACM hosts its largest series yet, with six School Discovery Days kicking off on October 22nd at Hemisfair’s Yanaguana Garden and concluding with their final event on March 4, 2023. Families will have the opportunity to meet school representatives from 15 to nearly 30 top San Antonio choice schools at each event, ask questions, get on interest lists and learn about application processes and deadlines. Families will also be able to enjoy a variety of fun activities during the event series, including DJs from The AM Project and animal show-and-tell with Once in a Wild, food trucks, and more. Families can receive hands-on guidance from the SACM team on navigating the nonprofit’s online tools and resources designed to simplify the search and application process. The events are free and open to the public and include great raffle prizes to boot.

SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT HEMISFAIR (Fall)

Saturday, October 22, 11a.m. – 2p.m.

Central Games Plaza in Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, 434 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78205

Hemisfair is a landmark park in downtown San Antonio. Families visiting School Discovery Day at Hemisfair can meet with over 15 top schools as they enjoy the fantastic amenities of Yanaguana Garden, including a splash pad, sand play area, table games, swings, climbing structures, picnic area, restaurants, and more.

SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT O.P. SCHNABEL PARK

Saturday, November 12, 11a.m. – 2p.m.

Graff Pavilion at O.P. Schnabel Park, 9606 Bandera Rd., San Antonio, TX 78250

O.P. Schnabel Park is a regional park on the Northwest Side of San Antonio with a YMCA, sports fields, hiking trails, and more. Families visiting School Discovery Day at O.P. Schnabel Park can meet with 14 top schools as they enjoy the playground, sample specialty hot dogs by Doolittle’s Mobile Kitchen, dance to the beats of The AM Project, catch Once in a Wild mobile zoo’s animal program, and get creative with face painting.

SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT THE DOSEUM (Flagship Event | National School Choice Week)

Saturday, January 21, 11a.m. – 2p.m.

The theater at The DoSeum, 2800 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

School Discovery Day is a free event in The DoSeum’s theater space. Guests will be greeted by the beats of the young DJs of The AM Project. With admission, guests can navigate The DoSeum’s 68,000 square feet of wow-worthy galleries designed to cultivate curiosity, ignite learning, and discover the power of play through interactive fun. Information on ticket prices and discounts for The DoSeum is available online.

National School Choice Week, January 22–28, is a celebration of the process of allowing every family to choose the K–12 educational options that best fit their children. SACM will host nearly 30 schools during this, the flagship event of the series.

SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH

Saturday, February 4, 11a.m. – 2p.m.

Second Baptist Church Community Center, 3310 E. Commerce St., San Antonio, TX 78220

Second Baptist Church is a historic Black congregation dating back to 1879, now located on the Eastside of San Antonio near the AT&T Center. Inside the Community Center, event guests can sample specialty hot dogs by Doolittle’s Mobile Kitchen, dance to the beats of The AM Project, catch Once in a Wild mobile zoo’s animal program, and get creative with face painting.

SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT HANGAR 9

Saturday, February 18, 11a.m. – 2p.m.

Hangar 9 at Brooks, 8081 Inner Circle Dr., San Antonio, TX 78223

Hangar 9, built in 1918, is the oldest wooden aircraft hangar of its kind still standing in its original location; now it’s an event space at Brooks, a vibrant community on the site of a former Air Force base. Guests at School Discovery Day at Hangar 9 can meet with 25 top schools as they sample specialty hot dogs by Doolittle’s Mobile Kitchen, dance to the beats of The AM Project, catch Once in a Wild mobile zoo’s animal program, and get creative with face painting.

SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT HEMISFAIR (Spring)

Saturday, March 4, 11a.m. – 2p.m.

Central Games Plaza in Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, 434 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78205

Hemisfair is a landmark park in downtown San Antonio. Families visiting School Discovery Day at Hemisfair can meet with over 15 top schools as they enjoy the fantastic amenities of Yanaguana Garden, including a splash pad, sand play area, table games, swings, climbing structures, picnic area, restaurants, and more.

San Antonio Charter Moms launches new Summer of Play event series

The Summer of Play series is designed for families to gather, grow, and get to know one another. Photo: San Antonio Charter Moms, used with permission.

San Antonio Charter Moms invites families to have some fun in the sun, while learning a thing or two, during the new Summer of Play event series. The family-friendly meetups are designed to help children shed bad habits brought on by the pandemic while having fun along the way. From increasing finger strength and dexterity to balancing screen time and sharpening social skills – each event offers valuable educational tips from local experts mixed with creative, hands-on activities to keep kids entertained. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2022)

Summer of Play brings San Antonio Charter Moms’ thriving online community to life through in-person playdates with an informative twist. The casual come-and-go events are free and open to the public at area splash pads around the city. San Antonio Charter Moms Founder and Executive Director, Inga Cotton and team will be on-site to answer education-related questions offering families an ideal opportunity to go straight to the source for expert advice. From discussing local school options to summer camps, enrichment activities around town, learning loss solutions, and more.

“Summer presents an ideal time for us all to regroup and get kids back on track by introducing and enforcing good habits and saying goodbye to the bad. After speaking with hundreds of parents, students and educators alike, there is no doubt the pandemic took its toll academically and socially. With all that has happened over the last few years; we can’t wait to come together to discuss post-pandemic challenges and solutions. But mostly, we look forward to having some fun as we laugh, learn and share.” – Inga Cotton, Founder and Executive Director of San Antonio Charter Moms.

Summer of Play is designed as a celebratory next chapter to the nonprofit’s award-winning Charter a Voyage of Learning campaign launched at the start of the pandemic to help parents navigate distance learning and parenting challenges while social distancing. Due to its success, the campaign continues to grow and evolve, offering activities and online support to keep children active, learning, and having fun through the summer and beyond. Summer of Play events are free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to bring a sack lunch and stay awhile.

STEMulate Curiosity: A Playdate with BASIS San Antonio – Build your child’s math and science skills through fun, hands-on activities with educators from BASIS San Antonio.

SPLASH PAD Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair
434 S Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78205

Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 10a.m. – 12p.m.

Conversations to Connect: A Playdate with nextTalk – Kim Elerick, co-host of the nextTalk podcast on cyber parenting, offers advice for building good habits, balancing screen time, and keeping kids safe online.

SPLASH PAD at Voigt Park
700 El Portal
Hollywood Park, TX 78232

Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 10a.m. – 12p.m.

Strong Hands Strong Writers: A Playdate with TamboRhythms – Occupational therapist Jorge Ochoa explores fun ways to help kids use their fingers and build prewriting skills.

SPLASH PAD at Pearsall Park
4838 Old Pearsall Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78242

Thursday, July 14, 2022, at 10a.m. – 12p.m.

San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) began as a blog in 2012 when Founder Inga Cotton was inspired to help San Antonio families more easily find good information about high-quality school options. Starting with a focus on the growing local charter school offerings, the blog has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares fair information about all types of schools. Established in 2018 as a nonprofit, SACM can accept funding that enables it to grow in ways that support accomplishing its mission of being the most trusted information source on education in the region. This growth includes Spanish-language blog post translations, surveying target publics, holding meetings with decisionmakers, supporting public speaking, community outreach and enhancing mobile technology.

San Antonio Charter Moms hosting School Discovery Day event

The School Discovery Day will be held on Saturday March 26 at Greenline at Brooks. Photo: San Antonio Charter Moms, used with permission.

With San Antonio being home to hundreds of choice schools with many more under construction, parents have a world of options to choose from. However, it can be a very overwhelming process to navigate. San Antonio Charter Moms, the most trusted information source on education in the region, helps thousands of parents through the search process every year. This Saturday March 26 from 10a.m. to 2p.m., SACM is hosting the final School Discovery Day from their school fair event series. To be held at Greenline at Brooks, families will be able to visit with 17 top choice schools from San Antonio, get hands on advice from SA Charter Moms on how to navigate the search process, and enjoy free, family, friendly entertainment. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2022)

The pandemic forced parents to be more engaged in their children’s education, causing many families to re-evaluate their school choices. All this change and turmoil has caused an uncharacteristically high number of openings in area charter and choice schools. Higher acceptance rates and shorter waitlists have brought good news to many families. As in-person enrollment regains pre-pandemic traction, navigating the application waters can seem like a game of musical chairs—and being prepared when the music stops is key. San Antonio Charter Moms has done the homework to ease anxiety and confusion and to guide parents and caregivers in securing at least one high-quality school that will be a good fit for their learner. The following are inside tips from San Antonio Charter Moms founder Inga Cotton. Follow these tips to increase your chances of a successful application process.

Charter school application forms are short, simple, and require no fee. However, timing can make all the difference in determining the best chances of receiving one, or ideally, multiple offers. The most important first step in achieving success is to begin the process early, early, early.

  • 9-12 months before start of school season: Research school options, develop a shortlist of appealing schools, and make note of open enrollment start and end dates as well as lottery details. Sign up on interest lists to receive notifications of important deadlines.
  • 6-9 months before start of school season: Submit applications to all schools on your wish list during their respective open enrollment periods for entry into the admissions lottery. Applications received after open enrollment periods are added to the bottom of the waiting list.
  • 3-6 months before start of school season: Monitor application feedback for offers of enrollment or waitlist placement. Consider any enrollment offers while continuing to gather school information, keeping in mind that waitlist positions may improve as others ahead in line decline offers.
  • 0-3 months before start of school season: You will hopefully have received at least one offer that fits your criteria. Once you make a final decision, be sure to decline any previously accepted offers promptly.

Challenging factors come into play when applying for charter school enrollment. Lotteries are based on random selection—apart from children of employees and siblings of current students. Waitlists can be overwhelmingly long and do not roll over, requiring families to re-apply each year. While frustrating, there are strategies for gaining more control and pointing the odds in your favor.

  • Apply for a school’s starting grade and during transition years. For your child’s best chance to enroll in a K-12 public charter school, apply for kindergarten, as opposed to first grade where most of those slots will be filled by existing, reenrolling students. Applying for middle and high school transition grades (sixth and ninth) – junctures when students commonly switch schools – can also open opportunities.
  • Apply to multiple schools. We recommend submitting three to five applications to improve your chances of receiving at least one enrollment offer in time for the start of the school year. You can accept an offer from your second choice while hoping your child will move up the waitlist at your first choice.
  • Respond quickly. A public charter school will typically mass email on lottery day notifying families about their enrollment or waitlist status. As the first day of school approaches—and passes—schools will ask for a faster response to offers, oftentimes within a day or two. Nimble parents who proactively monitor their student’s application status will be ready to act when schools communicate with them.

San Antonio Charter Moms exists to help parents make informed decisions when searching for the best program that fits their child’s educational needs. These resources are for you.

San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) began as a blog in 2012 when founder Inga Cotton was inspired to help San Antonio families more easily find good information about high-quality school options. Starting with a focus on the growing local charter school offerings, the blog has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares fair information about all types of schools. Established in 2018 as a nonprofit, SACM can accept funding that enables it to grow in ways that support accomplishing its mission of being the most trusted information source on education in the region. This growth includes Spanish-language blog post translations, surveying target publics, holding meetings with decisionmakers, supporting public speaking, community outreach and enhancing mobile technology.

San Antonio Charter Moms hosts School Discovery Event Series

Promesa Academy will be one of the schools participating in the first Discovery Day event. Photo: San Antonio Charter Moms, used with permission.

As enrollment season for San Antonio’s choice schools gets underway for the 2022-2023 school year, San Antonio Charter Moms kicks off its first School Discovery Day of the series at Hemisfair’s Yanaguana Garden on Sunday November 7 from 11a.m. to 2p.m. School Discovery Days connect families with schools in an efficient, face-to-face format that enables them to interact directly with multiple school representatives in one convenient location. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2021)

San Antonio Charter Moms’ first School Discovery Day in the series will include up to fifteen choice schools appealing to a wide range of learners. Families will have the opportunity to meet school representatives, ask questions, get on interest lists and learn about application processes and deadlines. Additionally, families can receive hands-on guidance from the San Antonio Charter Moms team on navigating the nonprofit’s online tools and resources designed to simplify the search and application process.

“Whether families are interested in a magnet program, a public charter school, or even a dual language school, the most direct way to decide if a school is the right fit for your student is to talk one-on-one with school representatives. We are thrilled to bring back our popular School Discovery Days after taking a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” – San Antonio Charter Moms Founder and Executive Director Inga Cotton.

Guests can enjoy the many fun, built-in amenities at Yanaguana Garden including a splash pad, sand play area, table games, swings, climbing structures, Adirondack chairs, picnic tables, and more. Future Discovery Days will follow a similar program with a focus on different sets of schools.

San Antonio is home to at least 150 choice schools offering a diverse landscape designed to accommodate a wide range of learners in every part of the city. Whether enrolling a child for the first time, making up for learning loss brought on by the pandemic, or seeking the best fit for unique learning styles, San Antonio Charter Moms help parents make informed decisions.

“Zip codes no longer dictate the quality of education our children receive. Many parents are surprised and overwhelmed by so many options and with figuring out the best fit for their child. We simplify that process.” – San Antonio Charter Moms Founder and Executive Director Inga Cotton.

San Antonio Charter Moms serves as a trusted one-stop shop for parents and caregivers on the hunt for high-quality schools. The nonprofit empowers parents to advocate for their children’s education regardless of where they live. The San Antonio Charter Moms website offers a wealth of education-based information, including an in-depth School Choice Guide with maps – also accessible via a mobile app – for open enrollment and in-district charter schools in and around San Antonio, a diverse and active online, Facebook Discussion Group for exchanging school choice stories, advice and more.

Participating schools for the first School Discovery Day include SAISD Choice Schools, KIPP Texas, Compass Rose Public Schools, Prelude Prep, School of Science and Technology, Brooks Academies of Texas, Anne Frank Inspire Academies, Promesa Academy, Lighthouse Public Schools, and Legacy Traditional Schools. Event updates and a complete list of participating schools are available online. 

Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair (Rain or Shine)
Central Games Plaza
434 S. Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78205

San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) began as a blog in 2012 when Founder Inga Cotton was inspired to help San Antonio families more easily find good information about high-quality school options. Starting with a focus on the growing local charter school offerings, the blog has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares fair information about all types of schools. Established in 2018 as a nonprofit, SACM can accept funding that enables it to grow in ways that support accomplishing its mission of being the most trusted information source on education in the region. This growth includes Spanish-language blog post translations, surveying target publics, holding meetings with decisionmakers, supporting public speaking, community outreach and enhancing mobile technology.

Photo: San Antonio Charter Moms, used with permission.

San Antonio Charter Moms launches new podcast

San Antonio Charter Moms’ podcast provides in-depth, timely education solutions and resources. Photo: San Antonio Charter Moms, used with permission.

Whether distance learning, homeschooling, micro schooling, traditional on-campus or virtual schooling, San Antonio Charter Moms offers support, guidance and resources for parents and caregivers as they navigate the unchartered waters of pandemic parenting and schooling. For the first time, Charter Moms Chats are available in podcast form through Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Charter Moms Chats cover hot button topics between Host and Founder of San Antonio Charter Moms, Inga Cotton, and regional education experts. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2020)

Recent podcast highlights include: Fighting Cyberbullying in the Age of Distance Learning, Charter and Choice Schools Open Enrollment Season Up to Date Insights and Using Insights from Previous Standardized Testing Results

DECEMBER 2020 PODCAST SCHEDULE:

  • December 14: Special guest Ambika Dani, CEO and Superintendent of Promesa Academy Charter Schools, covers enrollment and school vision.
  • December 15: Special guests Soner Tarim, CEO of Royal Public Schools, and school board members discuss enrollment and what to expect from the new charter.
  • December 16: Special guest Wendy Gonzalez-Neal, the Founder of My Child My Voice, shares a parent’s perspective about her school choice journey and being a parent advocate.
  • December 17: Special guest Barry LeMaitre, Principal at Brooks Lone Star, discusses enrollment and what student life is like at Brooks Academies of Texas.
  • December 18: Special guest TBA on the topic of Legislative priorities

San Antonio Charter Moms offers several online communities designed to fulfill the nonprofit’s mission of being the most trusted information source on education in the region. The Owl’s Education Express e-newsletter offers weekly updates on recent posts on the San Antonio Charter Moms blog, a list of upcoming events and important dates, and links to local education news. The Facebook discussion group serves as a sounding board and support group to more than 7,000 members seeking guidance on navigating school choice options, distance learning struggles and other educational challenges that families are currently facing. SACM developed San Antonio’s first free school finder app in 2019 called “San Antonio Charter Schools” and now includes the finder function through the nonprofit’s website for easy browsing. Charter Moms Chats are first broadcast live on Facebook several times a week at 4p.m., where Cotton and guests answer viewer questions and share additional learning resources. The education-focused nonprofit reaches a digital audience of more than 21,000 through its various social media channels, website, school finder mobile app and e-newsletter.

San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) began as a blog in 2012 when Founder Inga Cotton was inspired to help San Antonio families more easily find good information about high-quality school options. Starting with a focus on the growing local charter school offerings, the blog has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares fair information about all types of schools. Established in 2018 as a nonprofit, SACM can accept funding that enables it to grow in ways that support accomplishing its mission of being the most trusted information source on education in the region. This growth includes Spanish-language blog post translations, surveying target publics, holding meetings with decisionmakers, supporting public speaking, community outreach and enhancing mobile technology.

“We aim to make our resources more equitable to all to empower families to make informed decisions about their child’s education. We hope this new format makes accessibility even more convenient for busy families.” – Inga Cotton, Founder and Executive Director of San Antonio Charter Moms