One thing that seems to be unanimous at ABLE Charter School is that 100% of the focus is on the students, as the staff will readily agree. With 1191 students, ABLE is the largest Charter School in Stockton, California.
ABLE Charter School was founded, in 2012, with the goal of prospering students in a safe and nurturing environment that provides foundational academic success, exposure to the diversity of Stockton, college preparatory coursework, with highly trained teachers in a technology-rich environment and opportunities for career pathways.
Dan Wright, CEO, along with Ella Blair, Assistant Supervisor, and Joshua Reyman, Deputy Superintendent, form an exceptional leadership team at ABLE Charter School, united by a shared commitment to student success and continuous improvement. Together, they bring a strong balance of vision, strategy, and hands-on leadership, ensuring that goals are not only clearly defined but thoughtfully implemented across campuses.
“I wanted to be a teacher since eighth grade”. Dan shares, and he sets a clear direction of leadership, and long-term vision, while Ella Blair’s dedication provides tremendous support. The trio are proud of the fact that the ABLE School Team are distinguished among their peer group, as Ella relays, “Our staff members on campus know our kid’s names and the front office knows our parent’s names. We are very unique and we continue to grow because of that.”
Joshua Reyman’s focus on instructional supervision and educational innovation supports both educators and students. As a team, their collaboration, communication, and passion for education create a culture of purpose, progress, and high expectations throughout ABLE Charter Schools and is a place where students and families feel supported, connected, and encouraged to succeed.
Joshua went on to explain, “It is easier for us to maintain high expectations here. Because we are a charter school, we are able to set the bar high. Our staff is here by choice. They are not in a unified school system where they may have contractual issues. We focus on the needs of our community and that allows us to respond and adapt.”
The school offers strong academic programs along with real opportunities for students to get involved, take on leadership roles, and grow with confidence. Students are encouraged to participate in campus clubs including Level Up Club, Mecha, Mock Trial along with the Student Council.
In addition, Hispanic, Black and other minority students, who may have faced challenges the traditional SUSD setting, are given another opportunity with different programs to help them focus on challenging areas.
Located on the Humphreys University campus, ABLE Charter feels like a true learning community. Students benefit from small class sizes, modern facilities, and up-to-date technology, that supports hands-on learning. With a focus on preparing students for life after graduation, the school offers dual enrollment and career pathway programs that help students get a head start on college and future careers. At ABLE Charter, students don’t just attend school — they belong, supported by faculty and staff who genuinely care about their success.
Charter schools in San Joaquin County differ from traditional public schools mainly in how they are run and the flexibility they have. This flexibility allows charter schools to focus on specialized programs such as college preparation, STEM education, or arts-based learning, while traditional public schools follow district-wide policies and standardized approaches set by local school boards.
Another key difference is accountability and choice. Families in San Joaquin County often choose charter schools because they offer an alternative to neighborhood schools, providing options that may better fit a student’s learning style, cultural background, or educational goals. Traditional public schools, by contrast, generally serve students based on geographic boundaries.
Charter schools and public schools also differ in staffing and school culture. Charter schools typically have more flexibility in hiring teachers and staff and may implement longer school days, different calendars, or innovative teaching models. Together, both charter schools and traditional public schools play an important role in San Joaquin County by offering families a range of educational pathways while serving the broader needs of the community
In addition, charter schools place a strong emphasis on long-term student success beyond high school. As a result, charter schools have helped send more than twice the percentage of English learners and students with disabilities to four-year colleges compared to the public school average, opening doors to higher education and brighter futures.
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