“I’m a visionary. It’s in my DNA.”
That is how Ms. Angelica Jackson describes herself. As the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of the Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA), the first public charter school in Charles County, Maryland, her path to leadership is deeply personal.
Born on Andrews Air Force Base’s Malcolm Grow Hospital to military parents; Jackson moved to Charles County in elementary school. Although she calls the area home, she also remembers how much she had to leave it to find herself.
“Charles County was predominantly white when I was growing up, and there weren’t a lot of creative spaces for kids who looked like me. My mom would drive me to D.C. to go to museums, to open mics, to places like Busboys and Poets. I was maybe 10 or 11, riding the Green Line by myself to go perform with Friends of Carter Barron. It was a different time. I’d never let my kids do that now but I was that kid who loved the arts, and loved learning.” She said
This 11-year-old kid also wrote a business plan in middle school for an after-school arts program. She entitled it: The Angelic Arts Academy.
“I didn’t realize it until years later, after I submitted our charter application, but that business plan I wrote back then was the seed for what eventually became Phoenix International.”
That business plan was no idle fantasy. As a young teen, Jackson went to the library and looked up how to register a business through the Small Business Administration. Her mom would drive her to P. D. Brown Library for Saturday morning mentorship meetings with an SBA advisor, an older gentleman who patiently walked her through the startup process.
But Jackson’s journey did not go the traditional education route. She pursued multiple disciplines including anthropology, acting, and finally, found herself teaching while performing professionally.
“I never thought I’d go into traditional education. But I was always pulled back to this idea of creating something for kids like me, especially here, where those spaces didn’t exist.”
Returning Home, Answering the Call
After earning her graduate degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania and spending several years in Philadelphia, Jackson returned to Charles County in 2018.
“When I came back, so many of my friends had kids. And people in the community knew my background in arts and education. I kept hearing the same thing over and over: ‘We need an art school. We need something different.’”
She listened and then heeded the call.
“That’s when I started to formalize the process by conducting focus groups, community design sessions, and conversations with the district. And I remember I asked the superintendent at the time, Dr. Kim Hill, ‘What do you want your legacy to be?’ And I shared mine. It became clear that a public charter school would offer the access and flexibility we needed.” She said
From Pandemic to Purpose
In 2020, as the world pivoted due to the pandemic, Jackson went to work. With co-founder Rickkay King by her side, and a group of committed educators, she wrote a nearly 900-page charter application.
“We used all of 2020 to write and refine that thing. It covered every detail — our academic model, our arts pathways, the community need and our community mission. We submitted in December, and in April 2021, we were approved under Dr. Kim Hill as superintendent.”
Phoenix International School of the Arts was approved to open that fall as the first ever approved public charter school in Charles County, but the opening was pushed back a year due to the transition in superintendents. Its core mission: a dual-curricular model for grades 6th through 8th graders that pairs rigorous academics with immersive arts education including vocal and instrumental music, drama, dance, visual arts, and more.
“People always ask, ‘Why middle school?’ Because it matters. Those years are so formative. There’s research that shows how arts education improves emotional intelligence, confidence, communication and everything – so desperately needed during the middle school years.”
Access, Equity, and Audacity
“Our scholars don’t audition. We’re a public charter, and we follow state guidelines. But make no mistake, they are talented. If I see that a scholar has the passion and drive to pursue the arts professionally, I connect their families with trusted professionals in arts and entertainment within our network. I make calls. Because representation matters. Mentorship matters.”
The school now serves 255 students across grades 6–8, with a waitlist of more than 400. In its first year, more than 800 families applied for just 175 seats.
“We’re bursting at the seams. Our building is too small. But we are dreaming big. I want to expand to high school, then intermediate elementary. I want aspects of our model to be replicated in traditional public and public charter schools. I want to be the premier educational community for arts, culture, and healing.”
Healing Through the Arts
Jackson is adamant regarding the power of the arts.
“I’m reminded of a student that was very adamant about attending class each day. Slowly, over a period, that student found her voice literally in the school’s vocal music program. She blossomed. She has confidence now and friends. That girl did not need help getting out of the car again after that first week. She found a space where she could be seen. That is the power of the arts. That’s why we built this place.” Jackson said
Faith, the Foundation
When asked how she keeps going, especially amid the pressures of funding, bureaucracy, and growth, Jackson does not hesitate with her response.
“I’m a woman of faith. Honestly, it is God’s strength and God’s joy that keeps me grounded. Without that, I would spiral. My expertise, contributions, and leadership are constantly undermined. This is hard work. But it is holy work. I always say, “Hard work, heart work.” And I believe I’m called to do it. I want to inspire people to be courageous. To live out their dreams no matter their circumstances. I want kids and families to know: your gifts are real. Your ideas are worth building and your voice matters.”
A Living Legacy
For Jackson, this is not just a job. It is the continuation of a dream she had as a youngster. A dream passed down through her mother’s music, dreams, faith, and vision for generations to come.
“Invest in your child, and that does not always mean money. Spend time with them and cultivate their gifts, whether it is in the arts, in STEM, in sports. Find a community that helps them grow. That’s what we’re building at Phoenix.”
EXCLUSIVE: Candidate Interview Ralph E. Patterson II Charles County 2026 Elections
The Charles County Journal launches an exclusive candidate interview series at its La Plata studio, giving Charles County voters an in-depth look at every active candidate running for Commissioner President and Districts 1 through 4 in the 2026 election.
Future Storytellers’ Academy Gives Creative Youth a Powerful Outlet for Their Voice
Creative students often have big ideas, strong opinions, and powerful stories—but without the right outlet, those talents can go unnoticed or underdeveloped. The Future Storytellers’ Academy was created to change…
EXCLUSIVE: Charles County Journal Launches Candidate Interview Series Ahead of Charles County 2026 Elections
The Charles County Journal launches an exclusive candidate interview series at its La Plata studio, giving Charles County voters an in-depth look at every active candidate running for Commissioner President…
Island Music Co., Phoenix International School of the Arts, and Free Guitars 4 Kids Team Up
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Island Music Co., Phoenix International School of the Arts, and Free Guitars 4 Kids Team Up to Create a Life-Changing Musical Experience for Maryland Students La Plata,…
How 4-H is Growing the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders
More than $20 million in agricultural goods are produced each year in Charles County, Maryland, making agriculture a vital force in the local economy and a cornerstone of community life…
For more information on how to become a community contributor to the Charles County Journal and provide stories on local community resources, events, and more learn more.
