SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE
Welcome to Kepler Neighborhood School
Building Smart Citizens in Downtown Fresno
At Kepler Neighborhood School, excellence, community, and innovation come together to unlock the potential of every student. Located in the heart of downtown Fresno, Kepler is more than a charter school of choice—we are a vibrant hub for student achievement, character development, and community pride.
A Historic Milestone: Charter Renewal Secured
Following our historic charter renewal early this year, Kepler enters 2026-2027 school year on a foundation of proven stability, rigorous public accountability, and strong operational performance. Securing our renewal stands as a powerful validation from our authorizer and community that Kepler is a permanent, thriving anchor for youth education in the Central Valley.
Our Core Focus: Saving Kids Academically
We believe education must nurture both the mind and the body. Our mission goes beyond test scores—we are turning strong readers into informed, “smart citizens” who understand and care for their surroundings. From our expanded campus garden (featuring a newly built fence and pergola for shade and outdoor learning) to experiential projects like bringing a live cow to campus, we give students hands-on opportunities to explore science, agriculture, and physical health.
Our 5 Strategic Goals for This Year
To build on our historic charter renewal, Kepler’s leadership team, board, and staff have set 5 clear, achievable goals that we measure and reassess every single quarter:
10% Academic Growth: Drive a minimum of 10% academic growth for every student through high expectations, daily attendance, and targeted reading intervention.
Campus Safety First: Maintain campus safety as our #1 operational priority, fostering a secure and welcoming downtown environment through regular student assemblies and Parent Coffee Talks.
$1.75M Playground Expansion: Complete final civil engineering approvals and build a state-of-the-art playground within two months of approval to bridge physical play with classroom focus.
Enhanced Experiential Learning: Expand our arts and music programs and fully integrate our upgraded campus garden to nourish well-fed minds and healthy bodies.
Community & Enrollment Growth: Deepen our downtown community footprint through assemblies, local parades, and strategic business partnerships while serving the growing demand represented by our student waitlists.
Partner With Us
Whether you are a parent looking for a high-performing school of choice or a local business leader seeking to invest in downtown Fresno’s youth, Kepler welcomes your partnership.
Meet our Executive Assistant
Alexa Van Hooser
Board of Directors
Jon
Dohlin
CEO of Fresno
Chafee Zoo
Board Chair
Jeffie
Hickman
Superintendent/Principal – University High School
Board Vice Chair
Jorge Franco
Treasurer
Linda Dominguez
Chief of Staff, Cornerstone Church
Secretary
Christy Nottingham
Development Coordinator at Martin Park, Fresno
Member at Large
