Saved Schools

Phoenix International School of the Arts

Phoenix International School of the Arts, nominated by 4.0 Schools, is a middle school in La Plata, Maryland that describes itself as a public charter school serving learners from a primarily suburban/rural area.

Location La Plata, Maryland

Governance Public charter school

Grades Middle

Students 220

Locale Suburban

CEO Angelica Jackson

Demographics

Percentage of students*

1%

English Learners

40%

Free/Reduced Lunch

15%

Students with Disabilities

African American or Black 81%

American Indian/Alaska Native 1%

Asian 1%

Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Hispanic or Latino 5%

White 5%

2+ Races 7%

Why Phoenix International School of the Arts was nominated

PISOTA is Charles County's tuition-free public charter school. Daily arts education is paired with an international perspective to promote student creativity, regardless of background.

Student experience design

Phoenix International School of the Arts is a dual-curriculum program offering the Cambridge International Lower Secondary Curriculum for its core academics and an arts intensive pathways program in dance, drama, visual art, and music. The overall student experience at Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA) is designed to develop confident, creative, globally-minded individuals who understand their unique gifts and learn to apply them to make positive impacts on their communities and the world.

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Community And Business Partnerships

3-4 years

Extended Learning Opportunities

3-4 years

SEL Integration School-wide

3-4 years

Students Develop Projects

3-4 years

All Practices

Adaptive Learning Software

Student Advisories

AI-assisted Tutoring

Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning

Assessments For Social-emotional Skills

Career Prep And Work-based Learning

Co-leadership

Family And Community Support Services

Culturally Responsive Practices

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles

Grading Policies Focus On Mastery

Hiring For Equity And Inclusion Values

Interdisciplinary

Individual Learning Paths

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

Multi-age Classrooms

Multiple Opportunities To Demonstrate Mastery

Project-based Learning

Peer To Peer Support

Performance Based Assessment

High Quality Instructional Materials

Restorative Practices

SEL Curriculum

Students Access Their Own Data

key reasons for innovating

Respond to stakeholder demand or advocacy

Date Updated: 4/1/2025

*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.