Ricardo Flores Magón Academy
Background and History
Ricardo Flores Magón Academy (RFMA) was
founded in 2007 by Marco Martinez, a Building
Excellent
Schools
(BES)
alumnus,
who
implemented many of the BES program’s
processes and school design suggestions. An
internship with the founder of KIPP Sunshine Peak
Academy in Denver further solidified the “no excuses” focus of the school. Designed to be
rigorous with high expectations, students, staff and families are expected to work hard to
demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and math. By concentrating on core subjects, the
school provides a framework for students to acquire the fundamental knowledge and skills
they need to successfully enter and complete college. Chess and tennis became key core
curriculum and teaching approach practices to provide critical brain development for learning.
The first six years of operation have demonstrated those activities to be significantly
important to the cognitive developmental components for the school. RFMA was initially
chartered by the Colorado Charter School Institute for five years, with the contract expiring in
2012. In the spring of 2012, the school was re-chartered for an additional five-year contract
after an extensive review process by the Colorado State Charter Institute .
The school’s name honors Ricardo Flores Magón, who used the power of literacy – spoken
and written – to help save the Mexican people from the oppressive dictatorship of Porfirio
Diaz and is recognized as a key figure in launching the Mexican Revolution to liberate the
Mexican people. A social reform activist, author, journalist and law student, born on
September 16, 1873, Ricardo Flores Magón’s struggles and philosophical principles led him
to a life of enlightenment, and also imprisonment. He remained true to his support for the
poor in Mexico throughout his life and used civil disobedience, rather than violence, to
express his ideas and viewpoints.
Model
The curricular structure of RFMA offers an English-immersion college-preparatory program
for a high at-risk and low-income student population, as defined by the federal free lunch
program, many of whom are also recent immigrants. During the first six years of the school’s
operation, the average percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch has
hovered around 90% and the number of students identified as English Language Learners
has been approximately 80%. RFMA’s calendar uses a longer school day and longer school
year with a rigorous approach to reading, writing, and mathematics, coupled with the complex
learning strategies of tennis and chess, into one comprehensive educational program. The
physical and mental aspects of both activities help with critical thinking skills, focus, and
analytical skills of our students. Scores from statewide standardized tests continue to
demonstrate RFMA’s ongoing success.
Governance and Leadership
The Ricardo Flores Magón Academy Board of Trustees is the governing body of the school.
The Board is composed of a broad, representative group of parents, educators, community
leaders, legal professionals, non-profit executives, and business owners with experience and
expertise in the areas of law, real estate, finance, non-profit management, board governance,
and fund development. As parents and residents of South Adams and North Denver
Counties they are united in the belief that all students, regardless of economic status, home
language or ethnic background, can achieve academic success if provided the necessary
structures and supports. The board recognizes that their duties as board members are:

Duty of Care –acting with reasonable care as stewards of the school, managing
resources, and minimizing risk; (the test for this is if a reasonable person would have
acted as you did, the intent has been met – you must be aware of and manage the
activities of the school and the effects of those activities on the health and well-being
of the organization)

Duty of Loyalty – acting for the benefit of the organization, not for themselves; (under
no circumstances should you vote on anything that would benefit you, a member of
your family or your business – a board member must recuse him/herself in case of a
conflict of interest.)

Duty of Obedience – making sure that the board members are loyal to the goals and
mission of the school. (this is to avoid mission drift – your duty is to uphold the mission
as it was originally intended – unless the board has made an official change in that
mission. Your actions should always be guided by the vision of the school and it is
each board member’s responsibility to know this mission.)
The Board of Trustees employs, supervises and evaluates the Head of School. The Head of
School is responsible for the hiring/firing of all other staff, and accountability of all other staff,
is the sole responsibility of the Head of School. The Board sets the long term goals of the
school and evaluates the school’s achievement of those goals. The plan is a living document
that guides the governance and operation of the school and informs the entire school
community of the school’s work. It is the board’s role to write policy that ties to the mission
and vision and values of the school. It is the head of school’s role to implement those
policies. It is also the board’s role to plan and develop fundraising events with external
contacts that are outside the school’s normal operations.
Mission Statement
“The Ricardo Flores Magón Academy prepares Kindergarten through eighth grade students
from a multitude of communities in Metro Denver for success in high school and graduation
from college. In an academically rigorous environment, students will master the core
subjects, maximizing their knowledge in math, reading, and writing.
Vision Statement
“By holding students to the highest academic and behavioral standards, and by holding the
minimum bar of educational attainment at a bachelor’s degree, not a high school diploma, we
dismiss the notion that “college isn’t for everyone.” RFMA holds to the unwavering belief that
all of our students, regardless of their incoming academic performance, socio-economic
status, or native language, will learn and demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed to
succeed in high school, college, and beyond.”
Educational Philosophy
RFMA’s educational philosophy consists of six primary components:

Mastering the opportunity to learn by focusing on literacy;

Implementing a rigorous curriculum in the core subjects of reading, writing, and math;

Providing non-Native English speaking students with structured immersion into an
English language curriculum;

Preparing for collegiate success by developing tools and skills so that students can
accomplish advanced academic work;

Improving academic performance by providing a structured and rigorous learning
environment; and

Implementing a culture of success by instilling a foundation of strong values.
All students regardless of their economic status, home language, or ethnic background can
learn and prepare for college with the right structures and supports in place. As a result,
RFMA was designed to address the needs that exist for students and families in Adams
County School District No. 50 and many students from surrounding districts.
RFMA’s primary goal is to prepare students for success at four-year colleges and
universities. As a K-8 school, however, RFMA students do not graduate directly into college,
but rather into high school. It is critical, therefore, that our students are fully prepared for the
demands of a rigorous college preparatory high school program that will guide them through
the next phase of their journey towards success in college and ultimately as adult citizens. It
is also important that the families and students are guided toward planning on and expecting
college while in the middle school years. RFMA will establish contact with quality high
schools in Colorado and beyond to begin the process of directing students and their families
to the next step.
Board of Trustees
Member Application
Thank you for your interest in serving on the Board of Trustees of the Ricardo Flores Magón
Academy. Board members may serve two consecutive three-year terms. Meetings are held
monthly. Board members are asked to serve on at least one committee.
Name:
Date: _
Mailing Address:
Email: Primary Phone #
Please respond to the following questions and return your application to RFMA Cleo Estrada
Board Chair at Cleopatra.Estrada@Colorado.EDU
Please include a resume.
1. How did you hear about this position?
2. Is there any conflict of interest or relationship you’d like to disclose that could
be in question while serving on our board?
3. What is your knowledge of Public Charter Schools?
4. How familiar are you with RFMA?
5. How (if at all) are you affiliated RFMA?
6. Do you have children/relatives who attend RFMA? If so, how many and in what
grades?
7. What experience(s) and traits do you possess that will be beneficial as a board
member?
8. What do you understand about the main philosophy or mission of RFMA?
9. What is your understanding of the long-term goals of RFMA?
10. What changes do you feel would be beneficial to RFMA?
11. Have you ever attended an RFMA board meeting? If so, please describe your
experience.
12. Have you visited RFMA during operating hours and if so, what is your opinion?
13. When it comes to education, what are you passionate about?
14. What do you feel is important in a K-12 educational program?
15. How do you feel about the current administration and staff at RFMA?
16. How are you prepared to deal with public scrutiny?
17. Do you agree with the Code of Conduct (included with the Application)?
Ricardo Flores Magon Academy (RFMA)
Board of Trustees’ Code of Conduct
As a member of the RFMA Board of Trustees, you are expected to strive to improve student
achievement, and to that end be willing to:

Read the RFMA Bylaws and charter documents

Attend all regularly scheduled board meetings insofar as possible, having read the
packet ensuring that you are informed about the issues to be considered at the
meetings;

Understand that the Board may declare vacant the office of any director who has failed
to
attend three (3) or more meetings of the Board in any calendar year;

Understand that the board makes decisions as a team. Individual board members may
not commit the board to any action.

When serving on a committee with non-board members, board members are equal
members on a team. Decisions are made by the board in quorum.

Be open, fair and honest – no hidden agendas, and respect the right of other board
members to have opinions and ideas which differ from yours.

Make all decisions based on the available facts and your independent judgment and
refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups.

Recognize that decisions are made by a majority vote and should be supported by all
board members.

Keep abreast of important developments in educational trends, research and
practices.

Recognize that the board must comply with the Open Meeting Law and only has
authority to make decisions at official board meetings.

Recognize that the Head of School should be present at all meetings, except when the
board is considering the administrator’s evaluation, contract or salary.

Understand the chain of command and refer problems or complaints to the proper
administrative office while refraining from communications that may create conditions
of bias should a concern ever rise to the attention of the board.

Respect the right of the public to be informed about school decisions and operations.

Understand that you will receive information that is confidential and cannot be shared.

Give staff the respect and consideration due skilled, professional employees and
support the employment of those best qualified to serve as school staff, while insisting
on regular and impartial evaluation of all staff.

Present personal criticism of school operations to the Head of School, not to other staff
or at a board meeting.

Refuse to use a board position for personal or family gain or prestige.

Announce any conflicts of interest before board action is taken.

Remember always that the first and greatest concern as a board member must be the
educational welfare of the students at RFMA.