Washington Charter School Development

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PCSD Interns: What I Learned from a Project Manager

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Who did you meet with today?

Today I met with:

Mary Grace Houlihan, Project Manager, PCSD

Jennifer Afdahl Rice, Executive Director, Northern California, PCSD

Where do they work? What does the company do?

The Pacific Charter School Development [Northern California] team is located in Downtown Oakland, supporting the community of Oakland with more accessible schools. The PCSD team works with many different branches of design and project management, using space that benefits the community with nearby schools, working out plans, such as architectural designs, facilitating community meetings, and writing up the numbers.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

Today I met with the PCSD staff through Zoom, speaking on the topic of “Entitlements” and “Architectural Design” – the layout of how a historical building can be repurposed for a school.

Highlights:

Being able to see the process of making a new school through the use of the “Schematic Design”.

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

I gained an awareness of how a school’s present and future problems can limit/cap the “nice to haves” (ex. library, swimming pool, gym) a school can include.

What did you find the most interesting about the field after today?

I found the ability to repurpose a historical building very innovative and intriguing because it makes up for wasted space that now supports its community.

Discussing entitlements and design

The post PCSD Interns: What I Learned from a Project Manager appeared first on Pacific Charter School Development.

PCSD Interns: First Day Experience

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Who did you meet with today?

We met with the following people from Colliers and PCSD.

Colliers

Tony Burnett, Head of Office, Regional Managing Director

Rebecca Scalfaro, Senior Client Services Officer

Shayla Mellenthin, Marketing Manager

Gregory Hunter, Vice President

Pacific Charter School Development

Jennifer Afdahl Rice, Executive Director, Northern California

Where do they work? What does the company do?

The company is a real estate development firm; based on my takeaways from the experience it is a non-profit company that helps out communities with local and charter schools, as well as providing support with funds for charter schools. In addition, PCSD advocates by managing the outlook of the design, finance, and construction of facilities.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

My experience was exceptional, I gained an understanding of the different fields related to design and architecture. Specifically, I highlight the perspective of being a broker, brokers uphold a significant amount of responsibility to the company, which gained a majority of my attention. Moreover, the team also taught me a lot about the different requirements and opportunities that could allow us the ability to be able to work and involve myself in other careers related to their company.

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

I had the ability to get a little more insight into the school’s perspective on the different fields. Moreover, we got insight on how college would be a lot more beneficial to get a career related to real estate development, and the managing, marketing, etc. We discussed the correlation between different positions and the levels of education you might need; ultimately, we determined that 2-4 years of college experience is best.

What did you find the most interesting about the field after today?

Overall, I would say I was very intrigued by what everyone at Colliers and PCSD does.  Personally, I was pulled to what the background of Vice President Gregory’s career at Colliers. It was similar to what I wanted to do which pulled my interest towards his position. The team in general all gained my attention, and all of the different fields they work for are just as similar to what I want to do after college. It was just so interesting to overall learn how much goes into the management and coordination of being a part of a company like Colliers.

Gregory and John Dunning showing Esteban and me a potential site.
Gregory discussing the site with Esteban and me.
Esteban and I talking about the site with Colliers.
Our first day with the PCSD internship.

The post PCSD Interns: First Day Experience appeared first on Pacific Charter School Development.

A Landmark Moment for Voices Academies: Groundbreaking at the New Morgan Hill Campus

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At Pacific Charter School Development, we are thrilled to have participated in the recent groundbreaking ceremony held by Voices College-Bound Language Academies. This event marked a significant milestone for Voices, a network of public charter schools dedicated to serving primarily Latino communities in Santa Clara, Contra Costa, and San Joaquin counties. The ceremony took place at the construction site of their new Morgan Hill campus, a project that signifies much more than just bricks and mortar for this community.

Voices College-Bound Language Academies was founded by educator Frances Teso in 2007. Its mission is to prepare all students for higher education while fostering pride in their cultural heritage. This dedication to academic excellence and equity has made Voices a beacon of hope for many families in the region.

On September 30, Voices celebrated a “landmark moment” at the construction site of their future Morgan Hill campus. The event, attended by city officials including Morgan Hill Mayor Mark Turner, community leaders, families and supporters, underlined the importance of this new venture. The Morgan Hill campus will be Voices’ first owned campus, and it represents a significant step in securing the organization’s legacy for years to come.

The vision behind the new Voices Morgan Hill campus is more than just new buildings. Aldo Ramírez, the CEO of Voices College-Bound Language Academies, captured the essence of this project when he stated, “Voices is more than a collection of schools—we are a familia united in our shared commitments to excellence, equity, and fostering a love for learning.” The new campus demonstrates the powerful strength of the community that supports Voices, and it is a symbol of what can be achieved together, not only in the present but also for future generations.

The Morgan Hill campus will serve students from TK to 8th grade, offering 18 new classrooms, an outdoor covered lunch area, a quiet garden, and two playgrounds. The construction of this campus began last month after several years of planning, advocacy, and community partnerships.

At Pacific Charter School Development, we are honored to be a part of this project for Voices College-Bound Language Academies. We share their commitment to academic rigor, cultural pride, and educational excellence. This new campus in Morgan Hill symbolizes a brighter future for the students and families it will serve, and it stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and community spirit. We eagerly anticipate the positive impact this campus will have on students, families, and the community as a whole. It is indeed a landmark moment, and we look forward to witnessing the transformative journey that Voices is embarking on.

The post A Landmark Moment for Voices Academies: Groundbreaking at the New Morgan Hill Campus appeared first on Pacific Charter School Development.

Elevate Collegiate and TCSD Celebrate Long-Term Space for Greater Third Ward Scholars 

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Elevate Collegiate Charter School and Texas Charter School Development Celebrate Long-Term Space for Greater Third Ward Scholars 

Houston, Texas, September 28, 2023 – Elevate Collegiate Charter School and Texas Charter School Development hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Elevate’s new home at St. James Episcopal Church (3129 Southmore Blvd). The 35-year lease allows the school to grow and house its PK through 5th-grade students in a place with extensive community history. Fourth grade students greeted elected officials, and community leaders to celebrate the completion of Phase 1 of the renovation. Council Member David Robinson was in attendance and congratulated the school on its new home. Immediately following the cutting of the ribbon, attendees had an opportunity to tour the school led by the school’s Founder, Rebecca Francis-Jones. 

“St. James Episcopal Church has been a beacon in our community for over 75 years and we are glad to provide a safe learning space for our community’s children. We look forward to seeing them flourish into Houston’s future leaders,” expressed Reverend Thomas, St. James’ Rector.  

For the past 5 years, Elevate Collegiate has co-located with another charter school and has outgrown the space. In 2022, Texas Charter School Development started its work in Houston and partnered with Elevate Collegiate’s Founder Rebecca Francis-Jones.

“We create long-term facilities solutions that expand educational opportunities in under-resourced communities. Elevate’s work in the Greater Third Ward community is inspiring, and our team is committed to solving their facility challenges while they focus on educating Houston’s children,” said TCSD’s CEO, John Sun.

Since 2019, Elevate Collegiate has served students from the Greater Third Ward area, but with Houston’s growth and development, it has been difficult to find a place that was available and move-in ready for the school. 

TCSD believes that every child deserves a safe and inspiring learning environment, which drives their work. Over the last year, TCSD’s team has worked with numerous vendors to secure the lease, renovate the space, and pass City of Houston inspections. TCSD provided an investment of $2,000,000 which was secured through various funding sources, including support from Charter School Growth Fund.

The work continues with Phase 2 throughout the next year where 12 classrooms, offices, and the cafetorium will be prepared to house the entire school. Once completed the campus will have seats for 472 students. Elevate Collegiate and TCSD are investing in the future of its Greater Third Ward Scholars.

“Working with TCSD has been seamless and it feels like they are an extension of my team. They have worked through so many challenges to get our PreK through 2nd Grade spaces ready for this year, and I look forward to the completion of Phase 2 when I’ll have all of my students on the new campus,” said Francis-Jones. 

About Texas Charter School Development

Texas Charter School Development (TCSD) is a non-profit, full-service real estate development firm. It offers an array of services tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of each of our charter school partners.

About Elevate Collegiate Charter School

Elevate Collegiate Charter School equips all students with the academic knowledge and character development necessary to set forth confidently on the path to college and a life filled with opportunity. Elevate Collegiate empowers, educates, and elevates students in grades PK through 5th. 

TCSD team standing in front of Elevate campus
Tour of new campus and phase II
Ms. Jones cuts ribbon with community

The post Elevate Collegiate and TCSD Celebrate Long-Term Space for Greater Third Ward Scholars  appeared first on Pacific Charter School Development.

CharterNation Podcast: John Sun Discusses Charter School Facilities

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Finding a permanent school facility is the dream of many charter school leaders in California. But the lack of affordable real estate, the lack of space in big cities, and certain school authorizers can make finding a site extremely difficult. Pacific Charter School Development, a nonprofit real estate development firm, helps solve that problem. PCSD’s CEO John Sun offer his expertise. John’s interview is followed by a profile on charter school leader, Robert Golden, who is building a new state-of-the-art school facility for Golden Charter School Academy with the help of PCSD.

Tune in here to listen! John’s interview begins at 20:31.

The post CharterNation Podcast: John Sun Discusses Charter School Facilities appeared first on Pacific Charter School Development.

PCSD Receives $20 Million Award from the U.S. Department of Education for Credit Enhancement

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Pacific Charter School Development Receives $20 Million Award from the U.S. Department of Education for Credit Enhancement

Los Angeles, California, September 29, 2023 — Pacific Charter School Development (PCSD), a non-profit organization committed to addressing educational inequality, is proud to announce the receipt of a $20 million award from the U.S. Department of Education’s Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program for 2023. This significant award will further PCSD’s mission to empower charter schools and create sustainable educational facilities in under-resourced communities across California, Texas, and Washington.

PCSD’s overarching goal is to demonstrate how their innovative model, which includes partnering with philanthropic and mission-minded investors, can expand the lending market for early-stage and expanding schools. By leveraging this award, PCSD seeks to significantly impact the charter school community and provide equal educational opportunities to students in underserved communities.

The award, administered through the U.S. Department of Education’s Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program, marks a pivotal moment in PCSD’s journey to transform education in underserved areas. With this award, PCSD aims to strengthen charter school facilities and expand educational opportunities for students who need it most.

The $20 million award from the U.S. Department of Education will be instrumental in PCSD’s ongoing efforts to create educational facilities that are financially sustainable. The award will be allocated to two primary strategies:

1. $12 Million Loan Loss Reserve: This reserve will be leveraged with $35 million of PCSD’s equity to raise a total of $40 million in commercial debt with advantageous terms. This initiative will establish the $75 million Pacific Charter Facility Fund (PCFF), dedicated to providing low-cost capital for the development of new charter school facilities.

2. $8 Million Debt Service Reserve: Designed to increase charter schools’ access to financing, this reserve will incentivize lenders to offer financing, especially to early-stage schools, with terms that they can afford.

Through the PCFF, PCSD is committed to supporting a minimum of 15 school facility projects within the first five years of the award, including 10 early-stage or expanding schools and 5 replicating schools. The organization plans to leverage a remarkable 25:1 Debt Reserve to senior debt ratio to secure financing with affordable terms for at least 10 school facility projects.

“We are deeply honored to receive this award from the U.S. Department of Education,” said John Sun, CEO of PCSD. “This funding will not only transform the landscape of charter school facilities but also empower countless students with access to high-quality education. We are grateful for the Department of Education’s support in our mission to dismantle systemic inequality in education.”

About Pacific Charter School Development
Pacific Charter School Development (PCSD) is a non-profit, full-service real estate development firm. It offers an array of services tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of each of our charter school partners. During our nearly 20-year history, PCSD has secured more than $1.09 billion in financing for school development projects, benefiting more than 120 schools and serving over 49,000 students in under-resourced communities in California, Massachusetts, Washington, and Texas. For more information, visit Pacific Charter School Development.

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