Mission &Vision

Overview

At Academia Antonia Alonso, learning begins with language and grows through culture, curiosity, and care. As a public charter school in Newark, Delaware, we honor the beauty of bilingualism and the power of multicultural identity. Through English and Spanish immersion in our elementary grades and Spanish as a world language in middle school, we create a learning experience where joy is present, voices are valued, and children are encouraged to see the world through more than one lens.

Founded in 2014 with a dream of innovative, child-centered, and family-rooted education, La Academia has grown into a thriving community of more than 900 students. Each child arrives carrying their own strengths, questions, and hopes. Our integrated Student Support Team walks alongside them each day, working closely with families to ensure every learner feels known and supported. By nurturing the whole child—mind, heart, and spirit—we lay the groundwork for academic growth and lifelong confidence. This shared commitment has shaped La Academia into a trusted cornerstone of educational excellence in Newark, Delaware.

Inside our classrooms, learning is intentional and responsive. Differentiated instruction meets students where they are, inviting them to stretch, explore, and discover. Through practices such as Responsive Classroom and mindfulness, we cultivate spaces of safety and belonging—places where curiosity is sparked, creativity is welcomed, and taking risks feels brave rather than frightening.

The culture we build within our classrooms echoes throughout the school. When teachers are inspired and supported, students flourish. When families and educators move forward together, trust deepens and possibility expands. Our community recognizes the dedication, compassion, and quiet excellence our staff bring to their work, day after day.

Whether your child is stepping into kindergarten with wide-eyed wonder or navigating the defining years of middle school, Academia Antonia Alonso Charter School is a place to grow, to belong, and to become. We invite you to join our vibrant community—where learning is joyful, cultures are celebrated, and the future is imagined with hope. At La Academia, we are not only educating students; we are nurturing confident, connected citizens of the world.

Mission

To inspire children to become joyful, confident, creative, bilingual learners.  

Vision

UNIDOS in a more just, inclusive and kind world. 

Core Philosophy

At Academia Antonia Alonso, we believe mistakes are part of being human—especially for children. Students will make mistakes with one another and within themselves, and that is expected. What matters most is how we respond, reflect, and restore.

Our approach is grounded in restorative practices that help students understand the impact of their actions, take responsibility, and repair harm. With guidance and support, children learn how to listen, apologize, forgive, and rebuild trust. These moments become powerful opportunities for growth, empathy, and self-awareness.

Leadership at La Academia is defined by kindness, accountability, and respect. Students are encouraged to lead through their actions, to care for their community, and to make thoughtful choices—even when it’s hard.

Our academic program supports the whole child through differentiated instruction designed to meet the individual strengths and needs of every student. In a bilingual learning environment rooted in belonging and care, students grow academically while developing the social and emotional skills needed to thrive together.

At La Academia, restoration is as important as reflection, and learning is as much about character as it is about content.

Our Programs

La Academia’s Dual Language Immersion Elementary School – KN -5TH Grade
La Academia is a dual language immersion (Spanish and English) elementary school with a focus on nurturing bilingual, biliterate and multicultural children. 

La Academia Middle School – 6th – 8Th Grade
La Academia's Middle School Program is a 90%-10% model. In our Middle School program, all subjects are taught in English, and all students are required to take a Spanish as a World Language class, ensuring a bilingual, well-rounded, culturally enriching education.

🌐 Two Unique Spanish Language Pathways in Middle School:

Heritage Learners Pathway:
• Tailored for students proficient in Spanish.
• Designed to deepen language skills.
• Encourages deep exploration of Hispanic and Latino cultures throughout the world.

Spanish as a Second Language Pathway:
• Tailored for students new to Spanish.
• Provides comprehensive language instruction.
• Fosters cross-cultural appreciation.

📊 Langauge Pathways are Based on Proficiency: Your student’s middle school language pathway is determined by an entry assessment of Spanish proficiency. No prior knowledge of Spanish is required—students are supported at every stage of their language journey.

Leadership Message

Dear Parents/Guardians of La Academia:

Academia Antonia Alonso Charter School (“La Academia”) opened its doors to the children and families of the state of Delaware in 2014. The founding board members of La Academia believed that we needed to create an educational setting and experience for the children of Delaware that was to be innovative, child-centered and family oriented, where children experienced the joys of learning. I can tell you first hand, I witness this each and every day that I visit the school and speak to our parents, children, teachers and staff.

As a founding board member, I have had the opportunity to work side by side with board members that are visionaries and champions of excellence in education. They believe in the importance of second language acquisition and in distilling the most innovative and effective ways to raise the bar in education for our children at La Academia. I am surrounded by families that believe in the value of acquiring a second language and who clearly have openness to multiculturalism. I witness teachers and staff, working feverishly to deliver the best lessons for your children daily and loving the wonders that your children bring to their lives each day. It is music to my ears when I hear from parents, “La Academia is different. I feel like children and family are valued and your doors are always open to listening to what we have to say.” Yes, your voices mean the world to us and they are a part of what makes up our compass or that, which gives us direction to improve and to grow as an organization of teaching and learning.

To bring dreams into the realm of reality, it takes vision, courage, determination, hard work and as Walt Disney reminded us, it takes people. I believe today we have a village of visionaries, dreamers and doers. I cannot wait to see what our school community will author next in the history of La Academia. Thank you for your support, care and commitment to Academia Antonia Alonso Charter School. I know from heaven, my mother is smiling. We are making her proud and living out her dream for the children of Delaware, UNIDOS!

In Peace and Love,

Dr. Maria Alonso

Board President

 

“The more stones I find on my path, the bigger I shall build my castle”

School Philosophy

1% Better Everyday

At La Academia, that is what we strive for- whether you are a student, teacher, staff, parent or board member, 1% better every day is the goal.  We look for small things we can improve on every day, in our personal, professional or educational lives, instead of focusing on major things to change. 

Mindfulness Matters

Mindfulness is the practice of cultivating focused awareness. Not only being aware of one’s sensations, but accepting what is.

Responsive Classrooms

The Responsive Classroom approach consists of a set of practices and strategies that build academic and social-emotional competencies.

UNIDOS

Our community works to develop a culture of respect and collaboration based on our UNIDOS character traits (Unity-Never give up-Integrity-Discovery-Ownership-Success).

Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice is a holistic approach to behavior that focuses on repairing harm through processes that engage all stakeholders.

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