About RCMA
Academies of RCMA’s holistic approach supports our scholars’ academic pursuits, Family Foundations, Cultural Legacies, and Health & Wellness. Our approach supports the whole child and opens the doors to opportunities through quality education.
Inside the Academies of RCMA
Meet Our Teachers
RCMA teachers realize that we are partners with parents in their child’s learning experiences. A student’s learning is constantly evolving, and not just in the classroom. Our educators know their students well, finding ways to help the child explore the world around them in order to help identify the interests of the child and how those can develop into lifelong learning.
About RCMA Academies
RCMA operates three charter schools (public schools of choice), the Immokalee Community School in eastern Collier County, RCMA Wimauma Community Academy in southeastern Hillsborough County and RCMA Mulberry Community Academy in Polk County.
RCMA Charter Schools are tuition-free public schools open to all students. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, disability, national or ethnic origin in administration of its admission policies or any of the education programs.
With a combined enrollment of more than 500 students, the schools provide a seamless transition for children as they progress from RCMA’s early childhood and pre-kindergarten programs into elementary school.
Rather than attending other public schools after pre-kindergarten, rural and migrant children may continue to learn and develop in familiar surroundings with teachers and staff of similar backgrounds at RCMA’s charter schools.
Test results confirm that the longer students remain with RCMA, they better they perform in school. Our children’s improvement between kindergarten and third grade on reading assessments, for example, is dramatic. When one considers that many of our students are tested in their second language, their accomplishments are quite impressive.
The educational focus is a dual language academic program with an integrated curriculum. Language, math, science and social studies are taught using a thematic and integrative approach, immersing students in an enriched environment that reflects real world complexities. The results include strong communication skills in both languages, ability to think critically and problem solve, as well as increased self-esteem and social skills. RCMA Immokalee Community School and RCMA Wimauma Community Academy were originally chartered in 2000. In 2023 we added the Mulberry School that serve grades K-2 and growing one grade every year!
Welcome to Academies of RCMA
RCMA’s History
Redlands Christian Migrant Association was born in 1965, amid a litany of horrors.
Impoverished farmworkers in South Florida had no alternative but to take their young children into the fields. A toddler had drowned in an irrigation pit. Others had died under farm machinery. Most spent long days exposed to broiling sun, pesticides, insects and snakes. So a village of Mennonites near Homestead’s Redlands labor camp created a safe haven. They opened two child care centers.
Surprisingly, most of the farmworkers stayed away. So the bewildered Mennonites enlisted Wendell Rollason, an outspoken crusader for immigrant rights in the Miami area. Rollason reached out to the farmworkers. Still, the response remained anemic.
Then an ordinary day in a childcare center became the most pivotal day in the 47-year history of RCMA.
That day, Rollason noticed that two things were momentarily different:
- An unusually large number of immigrant mothers had signed up to volunteer.
- An unusually large number of other immigrant mothers had left their children in the center.
Rollason made the connection: The immigrants would entrust their babies only to caregivers from their own culture. He decided to hire childcare workers from among immigrants, from the fields.
Rollason’s illuminating moment would reshape the futures of countless babies, a thousand or so mothers and RCMA itself. Soon, the little ones would begin filling RCMA childcare centers to capacity. The mothers would find themselves no longer isolated in the fields, but launching new childcare careers, in mainstream society, with lifelong educational opportunities.
New immigrants’ first point of contact with RCMA was someone who had walked in their shoes.
For RCMA, Rollason’s realization was the wellspring of a new business model for straddling multiple cultures. Henceforth, RCMA’s childcare centers and regional offices would be led by a coordinator from the culture of the community served, always backed up by a childcare expert hired for her professional background, regardless of culture.
RCMA’s initial concern – the health and safety of young children – was quickly allayed through good nutrition and health screenings. A new priority emerged: Early childhood education. It has remained at the top of RCMA’s job description ever since.
Same Inspiration, Larger Numbers
From the two childcare centers in Homestead, RCMA has grown today to 71 centers in 21 Florida counties. All serve the rural poor, and most serve the children of Hispanic immigrants. During the 2011-2012 school year, RCMA’s 7,500 children were 86 percent Hispanic and 11 percent African-American. Government grants comprised 85 percent of RCMA’s $58 million annual bud Over the years, RCMA has broadened the range of its programs. Our Early Head Start centers accept infants as young as six weeks. Our after-school programs serve children ages 6 to 16.
In 2000, we opened charter schools in Immokalee, southeast of Fort Myers, and Wimauma, south of Tampa. In 2012, we added a charter middle school on the Wimauma campus. In 2023 we added the Mulberry School that serve grades K-2 and growing one grade every year! Wimauma schools serve grades K-8. The Immokalee school serves grades K-8. The Mulberry school serves grades K-4.
Despite all these changes over four decades, Wendell Rollason’s inspired personnel policy still affects RCMA – and the people we serve – profoundly.
Academy Policies
Internet Safety Policy
Staff, students, and parents using RCMA computers, e-mail, and/or internet please read.
RCMA supports instruction through the use of educational and administrative computers. The responsible use of computers and computer networks is a powerful tool in support of the instructional program. Some uses of computers and the Internet however possess no educational value in a school setting.
This Internet security and safety policy serves to protect the interests of RCMA and technology resource users by outlining acceptable and unacceptable use of the network and computers used within RCMA.
Fortify FL Submit Tip https://getfortifyfl.com/
Non-Discrimination Policy
Title IX Notification
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity”
Over the last several months, the United States Department of Education (USDOE) undertook a sweeping review and revision of handling and investigating of Title IX complaints. The revisions included definitional changes, investigative and decision-making oversight, processes and procedures, standards of evidentiary review and process considerations, and so on.
RCMA Charter Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, disability, national or ethnic origin in the provision of educational opportunities or employment opportunities and benefits. The school does not discriminate on the basis of sex or disability in the education programs and activities that it operates, pursuant to the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, respectively. The right not to be discriminated against extends to both employees and students of the school and shall include equal access to designated youth organizations in conformity with the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act. The following personnel should be contacted for inquiries about their rights or to learn how to file a complaint regarding discrimination.
Employees: For matters involving Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII, and Florida’s Educational Equity Act, contact Ms. Anjeza Osmenaj Human Resources Manager at (800) 282-6540, or at 402 W. Main St. Immokalee, FL 34142
Students: For matters involving (a) Florida’s Education Act and Federal Title VI (race, religion, national origin issues),
ICA contact Ms. Juanita Meza, School Social Worker, at (239) 867-3220 or at 123 N 4th Street Immokalee, FL 34142.
WCA contact Mr. Cesar Laureano, School Counselor, at (813) 672-5159 or at 18236 S US Hwy 301. Wimauma, FL 33598
MCA contact Ms. Blanca Flores, School Counselor, at (863-425-2566) or at 4441 Academy Drive Mulberry, FL 33860
Title IX: For all Title IX related matters, whether involving employees and/or students,
ICA contact Ms. Juanita Meza, School Social Worker, at (239) 867-3220 or at 123 N 4th Street Immokalee, FL 34142.
WCA contact Mr. Cesar Laureano, School Counselor, at (813) 672-5159 or at 18236 S US Hwy 301. Wimauma, FL 33598
MCA contact Ms. Blanca Flores, School Counselor, at (863-425-2566) or at 4441 Academy Drive Mulberry, FL 33860
PARENT CONCERNS AND GRIEVANCES
Report an Incident or Concern:
To address a concern or seek resolution for a problem, we ask parents to address the situation in the following manner. This will be the most productive way to address academic, behavioral, and other concerns.
• First, address the problem with the teacher or other staff member directly. Parent should remain calm and state their concerns respectfully and with as much detail as possible. Be open to hearing other sides of the issue.
• If, after this discussion, their concern remains unresolved, we ask that the parent speak to the Principal or the Director of After-school programs, should it be an after-school concern.
• If the parent remains unsatisfied, they should continue working through the problem up the “chain of support” by speaking with the RCMA Director of Charter Schools.
• Should it be necessary, the next step is to address the matter with the RCMA Executive Director.
Complaints that remain unresolved may then be addressed to the RCMA Board through a formal written complaint process.
Formal Complaints to the Board
Formal complaints are made in writing to the RCMA Board of Education. All complaints will be adequately, reliably, and objectively investigated, and any evidence presented by the person(s) making the complaint will be considered. Concerns will be responded to in writing within a reasonable period, not to exceed ten business days.
The response will summarize the concern(s) raised, the course and findings of the investigation, and an appropriate outcome to the appeal. These grievance procedures apply to any concerns that may arise, including but not limited to concerns about discrimination or harassment. All information presented and discovered during the course of an investigation will remain confidential. RCMA Charters will not retaliate against any person who raises a concern using the procedures outlined above or otherwise participates in the investigation of such concerns. If, during the course of the investigation, it is determined that corrective or remedial action is necessary, such action will be taken in a prompt and reasonable manner. Contact Information for the individuals to whom formal grievances are to be made are as follows:
About FortifyFL
Fortify FL Submit Tip https://getfortifyfl.com/Tip.html
FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials.
FortifyFL was created and funded by the 2018 Florida Legislature as part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. The application was named by students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The Office of Attorney General, Department of Education and Florida Department of Law Enforcement coordinated its development and roll-out.
Quick and Easy Safety Tip Submission
By accessing FortifyFL, students can provide a description of the threat, share pics and videos and optionally submit their contact information.
Quickly Sends To Authorities
FortifyFL automatically routes your tip report to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials
Your School Officials
The tip report goes to your local school officials when submitted.
Local Law Enforcement
Your local police department or sheriff office receive copies of your tips automatically.
State-Level Officials
State-level officials also have access to your tips to make sure proper steps are taken.
Inside the Academies of RCMA
Mission and Vision
Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) Charter Schools have been established as public schools of choice for the children and families in the rural communities where we have a presence. The opportunity to choose this school creates another chance to maximize the life choices that are available for children.
Mission
RCMA Charter Schools open doors to opportunities through quality education.
Vision
RCMA Charters will be recognized as a national role model in preparing rural children for wise leadership, in an increasingly diverse and complex world.
Support Our Mission
opportunities through education
At RCMA, our students are “cared about” as well as “cared for.” That’s why we are driven to open doors to opportunities for our students through quality education. Your gift will make a difference for children and families who are striving to achieve their dreams every day. Help provide quality K-8th grade education and support services that increase opportunities for entire communities.
