New kid, big moves: Guam's biz-tech charter school earns accreditation in year one

By Myracle S. Mugol

At a time when charter schools in Guam often contend with growing pains and sluggish oversight, the Business & Technology Academy Charter School (BTACS) has quietly distinguished itself.

On May 2, the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) awarded BTACS full accreditation, an extraordinary accomplishment for a school still in its first year of operation.

The announcement was celebrated at a schoolwide assembly on May 6, where BTACS leadership, faculty, families, and community supporters gathered to mark what principal Dylan Sablan called “a promise kept.”

“This milestone reflects the dedication of our entire school community,” Sablan told the crowd. “It's a strong endorsement of the quality of our academic program and the commission’s confidence in our capacity to sustain it into the future. For our graduating seniors, it means their hard work matters. Their transcripts will carry the weight of accreditation.”

BTACS achievement is uncommon. Most charter and private schools undergo a multi-year process, often two to five years, to earn WASC status. In contrast, BTACS achieved it within seven months of operation, a feat nearly unheard of for a start-up public charter school.

Baltazar Atalig, BTAC board chairman, speaks before the crowd during a schoolwide assembly on May 6, 2025. Photo by Myracle Mugol

The school’s success stands in sharp contrast to the broader state of charter school oversight on Guam. In recent years, the system responsible for charter school governance has come under scrutiny for lacking consistency and clear accountability.

While some campuses continue to face challenges related to staffing, facilities, and compliance, BTACS has demonstrated what’s possible when mission, leadership, and strategy align.

Baltazar “Zar” Atalig, board chairman, emphasized the school’s grounding in CHamoru values—particularly akudi, meaning “to help or to assist.”

“At BTACS, the board’s role is to support—not just from behind a desk, but in the spirit of akudi,” Atalig said. “We’re investing in a vision: that public charter education in Guam can be innovative, inclusive, and centered on the unique needs of our students. This accreditation is not just a formality, it’s validation. It affirms the integrity of the programs we've built and the people we’ve empowered.”

He added, “We see BTACS not as an institution, but as a living, breathing part of our community, a school where young people are prepared not only to graduate, but to lead.”

For many in attendance, the celebration wasn’t just administrative, it was personal. Jessica Iglesias, a BTACS parent, praised the school's aviation track and its approachable staff. “Yeah, they're easily accessible,” she said. “If you have any questions, they're here to help out.” Her daughter Tasi, when asked how she felt about the school, added simply: “I love it.”

With accreditation in hand and growing community support, BTACS is carving its place as a strong, student-centered option within Guam’s public education system. “We’re proud of how far we’ve come,” said Atalig. “And even more excited for what’s ahead.”

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