Florida charter school leader to be Inducted into the national Charter School Hall of Fame

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Congratulates Academica President Fernando Zulueta

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., (May 15, 2019) – A longtime leader in the Florida charter school movement will be inducted into the Charter School Hall of Fame by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.  Fernando Zulueta, who is President of Miami-based Academica, is one of three individuals who will be inducted at the National Conference of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, scheduled for June 30 to July 3 in Las Vegas, Nev.

In 1997, Zulueta joined parents and community members to establish one of Florida’s first charter schools, Somerset Neighborhood School, in Miramar, Fla.  He went on to found Academica in 1999; it is a network that has grown to more than 180 charter schools serving approximately 90,000 students across the country.  

Academica’s schools have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools, ranked among U.S. News & World Report's Best High Schools and College Success Award winners by Great Schools.

Zulueta’s partnerships have helped to bring more resources and visibility to the charter school movement.  He founded the highly successful and sought-after Sports Leadership Academy Management (SLAM) charter schools with entertainer Amando Christian Perez (Pitbull), catching the attention of celebrities including Kanye West, who toured one of the schools with Zulueta and Pitbull last year.

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools congratulates Fernando Zulueta on this important career achievement and national honor,” said Robert Haag, President of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS).  “We recognize his major impact on the charter school movement in Florida and beyond.”

Each year since 2007, the National Alliance has welcomed a new group of charter school leaders into the Charter School Hall of Fame.  This year’s honorees join 41 individuals and organizations, all nominated by their peers for their long-term commitment and contributions to the charter school movement.

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state, with a membership of nearly 75 percent of all operating charter schools.  Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven.  FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.