Guam Community College to serve as SIFA charter school's temporary home

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

SIFA Learning Academy Charter School will officially open the new school year on Sept. 2 at the Guam Community College campus, which will serve as the students’ temporary home while the academy continues its search for a permanent location.

“We could not have expected a safer and more supportive environment for learning,” said Ron Ravela, SIFA’s director of planning, compliance and research.

“This opportunity provides students with early exposure to higher education in a facility recognized as a leader in academic and workforce development," he added.

GCC and SIFA said the collaboration offers "a meaningful opportunity to inspire young learners, particularly those interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)," the charter school's specialized area.

Previously located in Tiyan, SIFA earlier disclosed plans to lease the abandoned Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School facility in Tamuning, but its ability to move in before the school opening depends on the pace of the lease process.

SIFA vacated its Tiyan campus in July after its landlord, Eagle Land Holdings, sued SIFA, alleging it owed over $5.69 million in unpaid rent, which the charter academy denied.

SIFA also announced plans to provide temporary online classes to prevent any loss of instructional time, but the Guam Academy Charter Schools Council rejected the plan.

“When we were approached to consider hosting SIFA classes on our campus, the question was never ‘should we;’ it was ‘how do we make it work?’” said

Mary Okada, GCC president. “Our team collaborated closely with Mr. Ravela and his staff to ensure students would learn in a space that fosters focus and growth.”

SIFA administrators said the students will be housed in 10 classrooms

located at the front of the GCC campus, providing convenient access for drop-off and pick-up.

The charter school has approximately 400 students.

While the arrangement is temporary, SIFA administrators said the experience is poised to leave a lasting impression.

"Learning alongside college students, SIFA’s middle schoolers—proudly known as the Manta Rays—will have the chance to envision a future that includes 

higher education and the pursuit of meaningful careers," SIFA said in a press release.

“This is an incredible blessing for SIFA Manta Ray families,” Ravela said. “Our students will now walk the halls of one of Guam’s premier institutions. 

This experience not only enriches their middle school years but also empowers them to dream bigger and see GCC as part of their academic future.”

SIFA administrators said the partnership aligns seamlessly with the charter school’s mission to prepare young learners with critical thinking skills  and 

STEAM-based education that equips them to solve problems both locally and globally.

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