As a tuition-free public charter school,
Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA) will operate in partnership with Charles County Public Schools to offer students an arts- and international-focused school. Our innovative, whole-child approach prepares young people for leadership in a global and creative world.
We are a tuition-free public school, serving middle school students. We are open to all students in Charles County, Maryland, including students with disabilities and multilingual learners. We welcome all.
We open in Fall 2023, serving 6th, 7th and 8th grade students in Charles County, Maryland.
At PISOTA, students will be steeped in our arts curriculum and get access to arts learning in dance, music, acting, visual arts, or museum studies, every day. We also bring an international perspective to everything we teach.
We believe that when students understand the many perspectives impacting our world, they are better positioned to tackle complex problems and design innovative solutions to improve our world.
Students will receive arts education, every day.
About
Rickkay King, M.A.
Co-Founder & Director of Interdisciplinary and Auxiliary Programs
Dr. R. Demetri Sermons
Founding Middle School Principal
Angelica Jackson is the CEO and Co-Founder of Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA), Charles County’s first public charter middle school with a dual-study program in the arts and international studies. She's a national thought leader and works with innovative education organizations such as 4.0 Schools, Transcend Education, and Catalyst @ PennGSE. Jackson has initiated education partnerships with Pharrell and Grammy-winning artists. She's been profiled by Black Enterprise and Philly Magazine and is a first-generation college graduate with degrees from UVA and UPenn.
Angelica Jackson, M.S.Ed.
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Dr. R. Demetri Sermons
Founding Middle School Principal
Rickkay L.T. King is Co-Founder and Founding Director of International Education at Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA) in Maryland. He's also President and CEO of The Now Boarding Corporation, promoting language acquisition among marginalized male high school students. Mr. King has led leadership sessions for organizations like Diversity Abroad and Pepperdine University, and is an adjunct professor at Pepperdine's Graduate School of Education and Psychology. He's an expert in organizational leadership and non-profit management, and is pursuing a doctorate in Global Leadership & Change.
Angelica Jackson, M.S.Ed.
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Rickkay King, M.A.
Co-Founder & Director of Interdisciplinary and Auxiliary Programs
Dr. Sermons has 25+ years of experience in education and is the founding Principal of PISOTA. He's held leadership positions in public schools in the Southeast and is a proud advocate for urban youth. Dr. Sermons is a mentor, musician, and avid reader with a passion for education and providing opportunities for success. His motto is “Be Great on Purpose”.
Sreeparna Mitra, CA
Derek Johnson
Debborah Collins
Guy Johnson, J.D.
Monique Walker
Partner at Ernst & Young
Vice President of Marketing at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Chair to the MD DEM Latino Diversity Leadership Council
Senior Program Director, Federal and National Networks P-12 at The Opportunity Institute
CEO at the National Association of American African Dance Teachers (NAAADT)
Winsome Waite, Ph.D
Principal at W. P. Education Services and Senior Fellow at The Opportunity Institute
Kenneth Brown, Ph.D.
Education Leader at DCPS
Dr. CharlRe’ Slaughter-Atiemo
MD, FAAP, Co-Owner, General Pediatrician, PM Kidz Pediatric Primary & Acute Care Clinic
Derek Johnson
Debborah Collins
Guy Johnson, J.D.
Monique Walker
Vice President of Marketing at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Chair to the MD DEM Latino Diversity Leadership Council
Senior Program Director, Federal and National Networks P-12 at The Opportunity Institute
CEO at the National Association of American African Dance Teachers (NAAADT)
Winsome Waite, Ph.D
Principal at W. P. Education Services and Senior Fellow at The Opportunity Institute
Kenneth Brown, Ph.D.
Education Leader at DCPS
Dr. CharlRe’ Slaughter-Atiemo
MD, FAAP, Co-Owner, General Pediatrician, PM Kidz Pediatric Primary & Acute Care Clinic
Sree Mitra is a Principal in EY's US Consulting practice with 22+ years of experience. She consults on business strategy, growth, transformation, and risk management for large organizations. Sree is responsible for sales & growth, operational excellence & governance, and driving the talent agenda. She's a strong advocate for women and diverse professionals and volunteers in her local community.
Sreeparna Mitra, CA
Derek Johnson
Debborah Collins
Guy Johnson, J.D.
Monique Walker
Partner at Ernst & Young
Vice President of Marketing at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Chair to the MD DEM Latino Diversity Leadership Council
Senior Program Director, Federal and National Networks P-12 at The Opportunity Institute
CEO at the National Association of American African Dance Teachers (NAAADT)
Kenneth Brown, Ph.D.
Education Leader at DCPS
Dr. CharlRe’ Slaughter-Atiemo
MD, FAAP, Co-Owner, General Pediatrician, PM Kidz Pediatric Primary & Acute Care Clinic
Dr. Winsome Waite is a Senior Fellow at The Opportunity Institute and Principal at W.P. Education Services. With 30+ years of experience in K-12 education, she's an expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion, culturally responsive practices, and whole-child learning. Dr. Waite works with education leaders to implement improvement programs for underserved populations and provides leadership and expertise in adolescent learning, school improvement, and capacity building.
Sreeparna Mitra, CA
Derek Johnson
Debborah Collins
Guy Johnson, J.D.
Monique Walker
Partner at Ernst & Young
Vice President of Marketing at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Chair to the MD DEM Latino Diversity Leadership Council
Senior Program Director, Federal and National Networks P-12 at The Opportunity Institute
CEO at the National Association of American African Dance Teachers (NAAADT)
Winsome Waite, Ph.D
Principal at W. P. Education Services and Senior Fellow at The Opportunity Institute
Dr. CharlRe’ Slaughter-Atiemo
MD, FAAP, Co-Owner, General Pediatrician, PM Kidz Pediatric Primary & Acute Care Clinic
Dr. Kenneth Brown, Assistant Principal at DC Public Schools, is a performance-driven professional with experience in program development, special education, and budget management. He's committed to helping students reach their highest potential, providing individualized guidance, and improving operations. Dr. Brown is a recognized presenter and was selected to present at the Mentoring Institute Conference in 2013.
Sreeparna Mitra, CA
Derek Johnson
Debborah Collins
Guy Johnson, J.D.
Monique Walker
Partner at Ernst & Young
Vice President of Marketing at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Chair to the MD DEM Latino Diversity Leadership Council
Senior Program Director, Federal and National Networks P-12 at The Opportunity Institute
CEO at the National Association of American African Dance Teachers (NAAADT)
Winsome Waite, Ph.D
Principal at W. P. Education Services and Senior Fellow at The Opportunity Institute
Kenneth Brown, Ph.D.
Education Leader at DCPS
Dr. CharlRe’ Slaughter-Atiemo is a board-certified pediatrician, co-owner of PM Kidz clinics, and founder/CEO of CayTer 2 You Baby. She's provided pediatric care for 14+ years, started CayTer 2 You Baby in 2015 and PM Kidz clinic in 2019, and earned numerous honors and awards. Dr. Slaughter-Atiemo enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, and traveling.
Sreeparna Mitra, CA
Debborah Collins
Guy Johnson, J.D.
Monique Walker
Partner at Ernst & Young
Chair to the MD DEM Latino Diversity Leadership Council
Senior Program Director, Federal and National Networks P-12 at The Opportunity Institute
CEO at the National Association of American African Dance Teachers (NAAADT)
Winsome Waite, Ph.D
Principal at W. P. Education Services and Senior Fellow at The Opportunity Institute
Kenneth Brown, Ph.D.
Education Leader at DCPS
Dr. CharlRe’ Slaughter-Atiemo
MD, FAAP, Co-Owner, General Pediatrician, PM Kidz Pediatric Primary & Acute Care Clinic
Derek A. Johnson is Director of Marketing at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, overseeing 2,000+ annual programs and performances. He builds new audiences for the arts and is a flutist and Teaching Artist with the DC Youth Orchestra Program. Derek is also part of Leadership Greater Washington’s Rising Leaders class of 2021 and serves on the board of One More Plate, Inc.
Sreeparna Mitra, CA
Derek Johnson
Guy Johnson, J.D.
Monique Walker
Partner at Ernst & Young
Vice President of Marketing at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Senior Program Director, Federal and National Networks P-12 at The Opportunity Institute
CEO at the National Association of American African Dance Teachers (NAAADT)
Winsome Waite, Ph.D
Principal at W. P. Education Services and Senior Fellow at The Opportunity Institute
Kenneth Brown, Ph.D.
Education Leader at DCPS
Dr. CharlRe’ Slaughter-Atiemo
MD, FAAP, Co-Owner, General Pediatrician, PM Kidz Pediatric Primary & Acute Care Clinic
Debborah T. (Perez) Collins owns Vamos Hablar, LLC and is a TV/Radio personality, former Spanish teacher, and community health worker. She's served as Chief of Staff with The Maryland General Assembly and holds degrees in Law Enforcement Administration and Organizational Management and Leadership. Collins is a Board Member for Phoenix International School of the Arts and MedStar, and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and True Gospel Ministry Church.
Sreeparna Mitra, CA
Derek Johnson
Debborah Collins
Monique Walker
Partner at Ernst & Young
Vice President of Marketing at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Chair to the MD DEM Latino Diversity Leadership Council
CEO at the National Association of American African Dance Teachers (NAAADT)
Winsome Waite, Ph.D
Principal at W. P. Education Services and Senior Fellow at The Opportunity Institute
Kenneth Brown, Ph.D.
Education Leader at DCPS
Dr. CharlRe’ Slaughter-Atiemo
MD, FAAP, Co-Owner, General Pediatrician, PM Kidz Pediatric Primary & Acute Care Clinic
Guy is a senior educational leader and program director with 16 years of experience in K-12 education, civil rights, data analysis, legal compliance, and equity. He's an expert in federal policy and advises education leaders at all levels. Guy specializes in utilizing data to identify educational inequities and public-private sector partnerships to address them. He's advised groups in Mississippi, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and is an Adjunct Professorial Lecturer at American University.
Sreeparna Mitra, CA
Derek Johnson
Debborah Collins
Guy Johnson, J.D.
Partner at Ernst & Young
Vice President of Marketing at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Chair to the MD DEM Latino Diversity Leadership Council
Senior Program Director, Federal and National Networks P-12 at The Opportunity Institute
Winsome Waite, Ph.D
Principal at W. P. Education Services and Senior Fellow at The Opportunity Institute
Kenneth Brown, Ph.D.
Education Leader at DCPS
Dr. CharlRe’ Slaughter-Atiemo
MD, FAAP, Co-Owner, General Pediatrician, PM Kidz Pediatric Primary & Acute Care Clinic
Monique Newton Walker is a performer, educator, and choreographer specializing in African dance. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, is a certified Master Teacher, and has performed with Chuck Davis' African American Dance Ensemble and Kariamu & Company. Monique is also an Arts Administrator, serving on grant panels and as Executive Director of the National Association of American African Dance Teachers. She led efforts to bring community dance workshops to Charles County, MD.
Affiliations
Community Partners
Enroll
The PISOTA team is so thrilled to welcome interested founding families to our learning community! Phoenix International School of the Arts will open in School Year 2023-2024 for Charles County students entering 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, and is tuition-free for all students.
