Entries by Ronaldo Gomez

Student Spotlight: Turning Dreams into Reality

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Portrait of a Visions student sitting on a bench

Student Spotlight: Turning Dreams into Reality

At just 17, University Prep Academy senior Saanvi R. is already achieving success as a talented tennis player and musician. She’s built a name for herself through hard work, creativity, and determination, all while balancing her studies at Visions In Education.

From the Court to the Stage

Since enrolling two years ago, Saanvi has learned at a pace that works for her while also pursuing her passions. On the tennis court, she has competed at both national and international levels, representing Team USA in Japan before even graduating high school. Last year, she also earned the title of District Champion, a testament to her dedication and athletic excellence.

But Saanvi’s talents don’t stop there. Off the court, she channels her creativity through music. Her recently released single, “Is This Love,” is now streaming everywhere, and she has more music on the way – her next song drops October 25th! This past summer, she also took on a leadership role as one of only 13 students selected from 50 applicants for the Global Youth Leaders Summit, an experience that further strengthened her confidence and global perspective.

“Saanvi has been able to pursue several of her passions and excel as a student while she’s been at Visions,” shared Tracy Jones, Saanvi’s teacher.

For Saanvi, that support makes all the difference. “Everyone at Visions is really supportive, and I have had chances to take classes I wouldn’t have been able to before,” she said. “I talk to Mrs. Jones about anything I need help with in school. I trust her and ask her questions about anything.”

Selfie of a Visions student with recording equipment

Looking to the Future

Looking ahead, Saanvi hopes to perform at concerts around the world and continue to develop as both a musician and tennis player at the collegiate level.

When asked what advice she’d share with other students, Saanvi offered simple but powerful words: “Be open to anything, and always ask questions.”

With her drive, talent, and openness to new experiences, Saanvi is already proving that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.

24/25 CAASPP Performance Results Are In!

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Rocket ship graphic

24/25 CAASPP Performance Results Are In!

It’s official – Visions students who completed CAASPP Smarter Balanced Assessments last year performed above students statewide in ELA and Math.

This marks a significant achievement from the prior year when the percentage of Visions students who met or exceeded standards in ELA was on par with the performance of students statewide, but 6.4 percentage points below students statewide in Math. What makes this achievement that much more meaningful is the fact that more students completed the Smarter Balanced Assessments last year than ever before.

Comparison of Math and Language Arts testing data
Comparison of Math and Language Arts testing data

Students achieved an increase of 8.3 percentage points in Math compared to last year!

Congratulations to all Visions educators, support staff, administrators, and parents who day-in and day-out strive to engage students and provide them with high quality instruction. Your hard work is paying off! Let’s continue to work together to make this next year our best year yet in terms of student CAASPP completion and performance.

Celebrating Collaboration and Leadership at Visions’ October PLC Institute

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Group photo of staff at a training event

Celebrating Collaboration and Leadership at Visions’ October PLC Institute

This October, Visions Guiding Coalition members came together for two dynamic days of learning, reflection, and collaboration during our PLC Institute. The event marked a significant milestone in our ongoing journey to strengthen Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and deepen our collective impact on teaching and learning.

Visions staff collaborating at a professional development event

Visions staff collaborating at a professional development event

Visions staff collaborating at a professional development event

Visions staff collaborating at a professional development event

Visions staff collaborating at a professional development event

Survey feedback from attendees highlighted just how valuable the experience was. Participants shared that the Institute provided meaningful collaboration, practical application, and clarity around their next steps in PLC implementation.

Over the past three months, Instructional Leaders and our Professional Learning Department have worked diligently to lay the foundation for this progress. During the Institute, their commitment alongside each Guiding Coalition Member was on full display as they:

  • Refined SMART goals aligned to student learning outcomes
  • Analyzed student data to inform next instructional steps
  • Explored instructional best practices to strengthen instructional impact
  • Deepened understanding of vertical articulation to support learning continuity across grade levels

Perhaps most powerfully, teams used this time to reflect, celebrate growth, and strengthen strategic plans that foster collaborative cultures across each academy and community.

The leadership and dedication of our Guiding Coalition members continue to move Visions forward toward our shared goal of ensuring high levels of learning for all students. The knowledge and strategies developed during the Institute will soon be shared with the broader Visions community, supporting continued growth and innovation across all learning environments.

Visions staff presenting at a training

Visions staff presenting at a training

Visions staff presenting at a training

Visions staff presenting at a training

Visions staff presenting at a training

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every Coalition Member for your professionalism, curiosity, and unwavering commitment to collaboration. Your work exemplifies the spirit of continuous improvement that defines Visions.

Group photo of Visions staff at a training

Group photo of Visions staff at a training

Group photo of Visions staff at a training

Group photo of Visions staff at a training

Supporting Communities through Soccer: Visions Makes Semifinals in Street Soccer USA Cup!

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Group photo of Visions soccer team

Supporting Communities through Soccer: Visions Makes Semifinals in Street Soccer USA Cup!

Visions In Education is proud to sponsor and participate in the 5th Anniversary Cup in Sacramento this month to support Street Soccer USA.

Street Soccer USA is a national non-profit organization dedicated to fighting poverty and strengthening communities through soccer. What started as a single team in 2009 has now grown to over 75,000 players in some of the country’s most challenged neighborhoods. The organization provides a pay-to-play model with a focus on social-impact. 

Team Visions

This year, we had two student teams competing for a cause, led by Coach Kyle Novak. The students who competed this year were Zach Z., Joseph P., Isaiah B., Jordan B., Hanan B., Rohan B., Nahum P., Amir P., Tim P., Samir D., Artem S., Preston K., Mackenzie K., Evelina O., Zahra S., and Sayyed Q. Our students played amazing and represented Visions well, making it all the way to the semifinals!

Associate Director of Equity and Student Engagement Ron Thomas joined in the fun by cheering our student teams on the whole way! Events like these are such a fun opportunity to bring students, staff, and families together and showcase our Visions spirit.

We are so proud of our students and their involvement in this competition for a cause this past weekend. Special thank you to Coach Kyle Novak for guiding our teams and helping coordinate.

We look forward to our Visions co-ed staff team getting out on the field this coming weekend – good luck staff!

Visions Student participates in Street Soccer USA's 5th annual Anniversary Cup

Team photo of Visions soccer team

Visions Student participates in Street Soccer USA's 5th annual Anniversary Cup

Visions soccer team huddles during a timeout

Visions Student participates in Street Soccer USA's 5th annual Anniversary Cup

Visions Student participates in Street Soccer USA's 5th annual Anniversary Cup

Visions Student participates in Street Soccer USA's 5th annual Anniversary Cup

Visions Student participates in Street Soccer USA's 5th annual Anniversary Cup

Visions Student participates in Street Soccer USA's 5th annual Anniversary Cup

Visions Student participates in Street Soccer USA's 5th annual Anniversary Cup

Visions Student participates in Street Soccer USA's 5th annual Anniversary Cup

Celebrating Education & Community at the Evening with the Stars Gala

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Evening with the stars graphic

Celebrating Education & Community at the Evening with the Stars Gala

Visions In Education was proud to once again sponsor the San Juan Education Foundation’s Evening with the STARS gala on October 10th. This annual event brings together community partners, district leaders, and supporters from across the region to raise vital funds for educator grants, student scholarships, and programs that expand access to high-quality learning opportunities within our authorizing district, San Juan Unified.

Representing Visions at the gala were Board Members Samuel Smalls and Clark Shueh, along with Marketing and Communications Manager Justina Janas, who joined attendees in celebrating this year’s STARS awardees. These distinguished San Juan Unified alumni were honored for being Service-oriented, Trailblazing, Accomplished, Role models who Shine bright, individuals whose achievements exemplify the power of public education and the lifelong impact of dedicated teachers and mentors.

The evening featured a mix of entertainment and inspiration, including student performances and heartfelt tributes that underscored the difference community support makes in shaping students’ futures. Guests enjoyed a dinner program that highlighted stories of resilience, creativity, and success from classrooms across San Juan Unified – stories that mirror the values and vision shared by Visions In Education.

Beyond the celebration, Evening with the STARS serves a greater purpose: ensuring that students have access to opportunities that help them reach their full potential. Funds raised during the event directly support classroom innovation through educator grants, giving educators the tools to create dynamic, engaging learning experiences for their students.

We are honored to be part of this collective effort and remain committed to championing public education.

Evening with the Stars Gala Performers
Representing Visions at the gala were Board Members Samuel Smalls and Clark Shueh, along with Marketing and Communications Manager Justina Janas.
Presenters at the Evening with the Stars Gala
Board member Sam Smalls poses with a cake

Student Spotlight: Visions Student Publishes First Book

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Portrait of Visions student Karsten

Student Spotlight: Visions Student Publishes First Book

For Independent Study Academy 10th grader Karsten, creativity has been a lifelong companion. Since enrolling with Visions four years ago, Karsten has used his flexible schedule to pursue one of his biggest passions – writing. Between his schoolwork, he spends time jotting down notes and building the imaginative worlds that fuel his stories.

This dedication recently led to a major accomplishment: the publication of his first book, Midtown: The Forsaken Virus of the Black Realm. The story follows a young girl named Nikki Sinclair, who must confront The Virus, a dark entity spreading corruption through her city. Alongside her mother and allies, Nikki faces the ultimate question: what kind of hero is she willing to become?

Building Worlds Through Words

When asked about his inspiration, Karsten shared, “I was inspired by all of the video games I’ve played growing up. A lot of my creativity has come from the stories I’ve grown up with. I wanted to have a story that was my own.”

Karsten began creatively writing when he was just seven years old, and the journey from idea to published book has been one of perseverance and growth. His writing process often starts with a spark of inspiration, which he develops into characters that he models in his games, each with their own detailed backstories. Those connections are when the story comes to life.

“The book actually took a lot of rewrites, edits, and starting over,” Karsten explained. “It took over a year to finally have a finished book.”

That determination paid off. With the flexibility of Independent Study, Karsten found the time and space to bring his vision to life. “Visions has helped a lot by giving me a flexible schedule with a lot of free time that I can use to focus on my writing and my ideas,” he said.

Now, with the first book complete, Karsten is already planning the sequel and envisions the story growing into a full series. His advice to other Visions students is simple but powerful: “Use your free time to focus on studying and working on whatever your interests are. We have a lot of time to learn more about ourselves and what we like.”

Karsten’s e-book is currently available for pre-order on Amazon, with paperback and hardcover editions releasing October 20th. To follow updates on Midtown: The Forsaken Virus of the Black Realm, visit the publisher’s Instagram page.

Visions student's book

Teaching the Next Generation of Leaders: Chief Academic Officer Dr. Micah Studer featured by CASBO

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Graphic of CAO Dr. Studer and CASBO logo

Teaching the Next Generation of Leaders: Chief Academic Officer
Dr. Micah Studer featured by CASBO

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Micah Studer was recently featured in an article by the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO), where they highlighted his own unique career path in education, and how teaching other leaders has sparked clarity and structure in his own leadership.



READ HERE!

Empowering Future Leaders

Dr. Studer currently serves as part of the faculty for CASBO’s CBO Business Executive Leadership Program, a program designed to equip future district leaders with the knowledge and perspective to lead in today’s evolving educational landscape. In this role, Studer empowers students to see their worth and value in education, and helps them to understand that they are not “just an analyst” or “just in accounts payable”, but rather people whose work makes a difference for the students and communities they serve. 

This opportunity has allowed Dr. Studer to enhance his own leadership skills. “Teaching these philosophies was really the mechanism by which I was able to refine and articulate the things that mattered. A lot of people have a lot of great technical knowledge, but can you communicate? Can you build a system? Can you build a structure around it?”

Becoming a Lifelong Learner

Dr. Studer also explains the value of continuing to learn and grow once you are in the leadership role. Continuing to learn and stay apprised to current changes is critical to stay at the top of your game. He shares that learning through structured programs like CASBO’s, “helps keep me sharp. It helps continue to enhance my craft. It helps keep me abreast of the topics of the day and it helps me be connected to the community.”

The article closes with a powerful sentiment for those on their growth path. When asked what advice he has to those who are just starting their journey, he shares, “Don’t underestimate your value and don’t assume your role is too small to matter. Leadership comes from a mindset of service, growth, and curiosity.”

Supporting the Whole Child – The Wu’s & Visions

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Supporting the Whole Child - The Wu's & Visions

“Visions has really helped both of my children grow as learners but also grow as people,” shares Ms. Wu, reflecting on the impact the program has had on her family.

At Visions In Education, we recognized that learning is not one-size-fits-all. With a flexible and individualized approach, students receive the support they need in areas where they may struggle, while also being encouraged to explore and deepen their passions.

For Ms. Wu’s son, that meant diving into his love for history. Thanks to the customizable course offerings at Visions, he was able to take more history classes than he would have in a traditional public school, and even participated in history-related activities that helped bring the subject to life. 

“He has more confidence as a learner and understands how he learns best because the approach has been so individualized.”

Ms. Wu’s daughter has also flourished at Visions. With access to art-related activities and social events with other students, she’s been able to explore her creativity while building friendships and social confidence.

By focusing on the whole child, Visions empowers students not just academically, but personally—helping them discover their strengths, explore their interests, and grow into confident, independent learners.

Visions Featured In Comstock’s Magazine

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Comstocks article featuring Visions

Visions Featured In Comstock’s Magazine



READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ON PAGE 88-90

Visions In Education is proud to be featured in the October 2025 edition of Comstock’s Magazine. In this comprehensive article, Jennifer von Geldern explores the evolution of hybrid learning with insights from educational leaders at the forefront of the hybrid charter school landscape.

The feature examines the origins and development of hybrid learning models, highlighting how today’s charter schools are delivering alternative educational services to meet diverse student needs.

Visions’ Superintendent Dr. Steve Olmos spoke to the student population that thrives in these flexible learning environments: “Our students are incredibly diverse. They include teen parents, athletes, artists, students with health needs and those seeking a safer or more flexible learning environment.”

With more than 25 years of experience in distance learning, Visions has cultivated deep expertise through careful preparation, strategic planning, and thoughtful implementation. 

Leading the Way in Hybrid Learning

When the COVID-19 pandemic prompted unprecedented demand for virtual learning options, Visions was uniquely positioned to serve families – having refined these educational models for years.

At the center of this success is our in-house platform, the LPAD Student Support System™, a custom-built student support system developed by Visions, for Visions. Dr. Olmos noted, “We already had systems in place and have since invested even more in technology. We have a custom-built student support system that makes it easy for families and staff to communicate, track progress and manage resources, and are constantly improving how we teach and support students online.”

This commitment to continuous improvement underscores Visions’ leadership in the hybrid learning space. Thank you Comstock’s Magazine for amplifying the need for flexible learning options and opportunities for future generations of families to learn more about the school choices that are available to them. 

Recognizing LGBTQ History Month

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Rainbow graphic that reads "LGBTQ History Month"

Recognizing LGBTQ History Month

October is LGBTQ History Month – a time to honor the trailblazers, advocates, and everyday heroes who have shaped the movement for equality and inclusion. This month serves as both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the ongoing work toward acceptance and justice for all.

LGBTQ History Month also encourages us to learn, listen, and lead with pride – to celebrate diversity not just in October, but every day.

Additional Resources & Information