About PISOTA
As a tuition-free public charter school, Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA) operates in partnership with Charles County Public Schools to offer students an arts and international-focused school. Our approach prepares young people for leadership in a global and creative world.
We nurture 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students in Charles County, Maryland, to become globally-minded artists, innovators, and leaders
Community Partners & SUPPORTERS
As a tuition-free public school, we welcome all middle school students, including those with disabilities and multilingual learners. Every day, students are immersed in our rich arts curriculum, with opportunities to explore dance, music, acting, and visual arts.
Our unique approach also integrates a global perspective into all subjects, helping students develop a deeper understanding of the world. By embracing diverse viewpoints, we equip our students to tackle complex challenges and create innovative solutions to make a positive impact.
Values
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Values *
As a part of our crew, you are a pioneer working to forge a new path for all of our future scholars, staff, and partners. Your unique perspective and expertise will be key in shaping both your role and the broader PISOTA community. Our commitment to these core values and mindsets will serve as the foundation for a lasting legacy within our organization. Like the phoenix, we RISE.
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Reflect
We take time to regularly examine our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
We have to know where we come from in order to know where we’re going. “The one constant factor in all of your endeavors is yourself”; we believe that understanding ourselves is therefore paramount. Our ability to recognize and understand emotions in ourselves and others, and our ability to use this awareness to manage our behavior and relationships will increase our individual and collective leadership capacities.
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Innovate
We cultivate a spirit of curiosity, creativity, and innovation.
Our students are confident critical thinkers. They have the skills, character, knowledge and design process to impact the world with their ideas and creativity. By thinking broadly about the world around them and engaging in meaningful and relevant real-world experiences, they learn to address problems at all scales, imagine new ideas, and build authentic solutions
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Serve
We do whatever it takes in service of our mission.
For our students, this means becoming true change agents in their community by embracing a spirit of selfless service. We see service as inherent to both scholarship and citizenship, and we commit to helping our community, both in school and out of school. For PISOTA staff, our students are at the heart of everything we do, and we consider our work an act of service to our students, their families, our community, and ourselves. We do not engage in service for personal gain or external accolades; rather, we do so because serving others is the right thing to do.
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Excellence
We aim for high-quality and exemplary attention to detail in everything we do.
From students’ schoolwork to school culture and behavior to staff lesson planning and beyond, we hold high expectations of everyone at PISOTA. In turn, we hold ourselves accountable to provide excellent support, care, and view challenges or setbacks as opportunities to grow and learn. We celebrate our own successes and those of others when we achieve lofty goals.
Our Crew
Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer
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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 at 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 from UVA and UPenn.
Founding Middle School Principal
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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”.
Founding Admin. Intern (Assistant Principal)
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Ms. Washington is a native of Teaneck, New Jersey who has lived in the Washington DC metro area for over 2 decades. She comes to Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA) with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina as well as a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. Ms. Washington brings with her over 25 years of experience as an educator as well as a love for dance which attracted her to PISOTA. She has served as an instructional leader in Charles County Public Schools as a Reading Resource Teacher at J. P. Ryon Elementary School for six years. Ms. Washington was the History teacher for all PISOTA scholars during the inaugural school year. She is passionate about educating children as well as future educators. Ms. Washington has previous experience as an adjunct professor for Notre Dame University of Maryland, providing instruction and guidance for aspiring educators in undergraduate and graduate study courses. It is her belief that pouring into our children's lives, through education, secures a bright future for us all.
Our Faculty + Staff
Board of Trustees
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Board Vice-Chair + MD, FAAP, Co-Owner, General Pediatrician, PM Kidz Pediatric Primary + Acute Care Clinic
Dr. CharlRe’ Slaughter-Atiemo is a board-certified Pediatrician in southern Maryland and co-owner of PM Kidz Pediatric Primary and Acute Care clinics, and PM Kidz Plus Mental Health Clinic. She is also the founder and CEO of CayTer 2 You Baby, a baby vending service. A native of Atlanta, GA, Dr. Slaughter-Atiemo earned her Bachelor of Science at Cornell University and her Doctor of Medicine from Morehouse School of Medicine, graduating cum laude. She completed her Pediatric Residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, PA. Recognized for her work with honors such as membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society and the Otis W. Smith, MD Excellence in Pediatrics award, Dr. Slaughter-Atiemo is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and brings over 16 years of experience in diverse pediatric care settings. Most recently, she received the 2024 Top Doctor Award for Pediatricians in Southern Maryland. In 2020, she launched PM Kidz, a multispecialty pediatric practice in Maryland, offering services including well-child care, cardiology, speech therapy, and mental health. She expanded the practice with a second location and a mental health clinic in 2023. Dr. Slaughter-Atiemo is active in several organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, and she serves on the Board of Trustees for Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA). In her free time, she enjoys family time, cooking, reading, and traveling.
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Phoenix Ambassador
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Director, Events Operations and Experience, ASCD
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Management and Program Analyst, United States Federal Government
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LCP and Owner, Purple Cares Therapeutic Solutions, Inc.
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Elementary Educator and Teacher Development Coach
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Consultant and Owner, McNeil Creative Enterprises
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General Manager, Harris Companies