Learning from Practitioners – NACA Inspired Schools Network

NISN has created a video series on key facilities topics for school leaders, facilities teams, governing councils, and other stakeholders involved in visioning, planning, and building facilities. Also included are case studies of two schools representing different facilities journeys, settings, and points in growth.

Facilities 101 Video Series

Video #1: Introduction:

NISN’s Executive Director, Anpao Duta Flying Earth (Lakota, Dakota, Ojibwe, Akimel O’odham), and Facilities & Operations Director, Daniel Ulibarri, introduce the NACA Inspired Schools Network and topics covered in this video series.

Video #2: Funding

Aly Sanchez of The Grant Plant discusses the funding landscape for charter school facilities, ways teams can prepare for fundraising, how to identify potential funding opportunities, and tips for preparing and managing grants.

Video #3: Maintaining Cultural Identity

NISN’s Executive Director, Anpao Duta Flying Earth (Lakota, Dakota, Ojibwe, Akimel O’odham), Senior Director or Education & Transformation, Valerie Kie (Laguna Pueblo), and Director of Youth Empowerment and Leadership, Maȟpíya Black Elk (Lakota, Xicano Mestizo), discuss Indigenous elements school leaders have brought into school spaces and how facilities can uplift the cultures present in their community.

Related Resources: Engaging Stakeholders in Planning

Video #4: Navigating Processes

NISN Facilities & Operations Director, Daniel Ulibarri, and Founder and Head of School for American Indian Academy of Denver, Terri Bissonette (Gnoozhekaaning Anishinaabe), talk about the process of establishing a school’s first facility, including real-world experiences with the steps, challenges, and timing involved.

Related Resources: Assessing Needs and Planning Facilities

Video #5: Key Building Code Criteria, Facilities Cost, and Building Assessment

Founder of architectural services firm Amaktoolik Studios, Brian Fagerstrom (Inupiaq), shares his experience working with schools to plan renovation and construction projects, develop facilities master plans, and create project budgets for charter schools serving Indigenous communities. This video includes a deeper dive into costing projects and building code Criteria.

Case Studies

Native American Community Academy (NACA)

This case study examines the journey of an urban Indigenous K-12 charter school seeking to develop a new facility for its high school students. After exploring several options, NACA partnered on a new co-located campus that offers a direct steppingstone to higher education for its students. Download Case Study

Anansi Charter School

This case study explores the phased development of the facility and campus of Anansi Charter School, a public community school founded in 2001 that serves grades K-8. Download Case Study

Facilities 101 Video Series

Case Studies

Native American Community Academy (NACA)

Anansi Charter School

Dream Diné Charter School