On the tranquil campus of RCMA’s Mulberry Community Academy, things will start to get a little noisy when ground breaks on the new academy building, which will provide bi-lingual K-8th grade education and support services that will increase opportunities for the entire Mulberry community. Spearheading the construction planning is Phillips Advisory, a consultancy that provides strategic planning services to help education and education-adjacent organizations achieve their goals and fulfill their missions.
As RCMA decided to move forward with its plans to construct a new academy in Mulberry, the organization chose Phillips due to their experience in helping education and education-adjacent organizations fulfill their missions.
“Lindsay Phillips and her team brought unparalleled expertise to RCMA,” says Isabel Garcia, Executive Director of RCMA. “They realized that his project was more than just brick and mortar, but the impact that will have on the Mulberry community. They truly have embraced our mission and are helping us achieve the fullest potential of this project.”
For Lindsay Phillips, owner of Phillips Advisory, working with charter schools taps from personal experience.
“Our team has a combined 35 years of experience working in the K-12 education space, with a deep focus on charter schools,” said Lindsay Phillips, owner of Phillips Advisory. “I was a charter school operator, so now as consultants, we can leverage our specialized skillsets to serve more organizations and communities. Our goal has been to feel like an extension of the RCMA team, working closely with all stakeholders to deliver on-schedule, high-quality, affordable facilities.”
The Phillips team has leveraged their extensive experience in charter schools to right-size the project for maximum impact. Through a meticulous blend of renovations and new builds, they will capitalize on the campus’s existing assets, including a sprawling outdoor space, to create a campus that not only fosters academic excellence but also embraces the benefits of outdoor learning.
“Our goal is to deliver a high-quality, affordable facility, and part of that is leveraging the existing resources on the campus, including its natural environment and built structures,” says Lindsay Phillips. “Using the outdoor space on the campus is a high priority in order to honor the agricultural roots of many of the families, and to encourage outdoor learning and a positive connection to nature. Our goal is to integrate the natural beauty of the 33-acre site as much as possible by preserving the tree canopy and orienting the buildings to take advantage of the natural environment. We are incorporating dedicated outdoor learning areas into the plans, so that teaching can extend beyond the four walls.”
Beyond all of the technically aspects of the project, the Phillips team really enjoys working with RCMA on this project.
“We have been both excited and inspired by the leadership style, mission and commitment of RCMA to serving students and families across Florida, from birth to 8th grade,” said Lindsay. “RCMA is doing the important, on-the-ground work that needs to be done to improve educational opportunities for these communities, but equally as important, providing extensive wraparound services to uplift the families and broader communities at large. During this initial phase of work, we have enjoyed working with a group of strong female leaders that have created a culture of valuing the opinions of the board, community, staff and others to develop the best long-term facility solution for Mulberry Community Academy.”
The result will be more than just a building; it stands to be a testament to community empowerment. By harnessing the potential of both indoor and outdoor environments, RCMA and Phillips Advisory are not only shaping the future of education but also expanding opportunities for the entire community. Together, they are paving the way for a brighter tomorrow, where every child has the chance to thrive and succeed.
