Real-World Education
As one of the oldest charter schools in the city, we understand that children aren’t in school forever. We teach to create skills that students will take into the world using our “classroom without walls” approach. Through on-site and off-site workshops, events, and activities, children will grow into young adults with the tools needed to succeed in today’s world.
Small Classes
When classes get too large, children can feel unheard and left behind by their classmates. We keep our classes small and with manageable ratios so every child can receive the attention they need to grow.
Our Mission
The mission of our charter school is to establish a child-centered community and learning environment that assists students in understanding the purpose and value of the school experience. In doing so, we hope to inspire them to develop a personal sense of ownership and an appreciation for their considerable potential, as well as for the role that schooling plays in nurturing that potential. The school's goals are to empower and nurture growth within its students.
How We Compare To Other Schools
Holly Drive Leadership Academy is a small, safe K-8 learning community serving primarily African American and Latino low-income students. In the last four years, Holly Drive increased the number of students scoring “Met/Exceed” to three times more than the San Diego Unified School District! The school has demonstrated sustained ELA growth overall and across all educational levels. Holly Drive outperformed all but one of its district comparison schools in ELA last year. In math, we’ve doubled the number of students receiving a “Met/Exceed” in key groups. The school is focused on accelerating its students' math performance to mirror its ELA success.
Our Staff
Those employed at Holly Drive are committed to providing excellent learning opportunities and dedicated to keeping students engaged with education.
Alysia Smith
Principal
Alysia Shaw, a native of San Diego and a Point Loma High School and San Diego State University graduate, is the Principal of Holly Drive Leadership Academy and the mother of three wonderful daughters. While attending San Diego State, Alysia showed what a resourceful person she was by working at the Girls Club of San Diego, UPS, and Sea Port Village Ice Cream & Eatery while carrying a full course load. Her working career began at a very young age when she became a program aide at the Girls Club when she was 14 years old. For 12 years, she worked at the Girls Club in many different capacities, eventually serving as Program Director. Alysia then worked at UPS for eight years and then with the San Diego County Probation Department for two years before embarking on a career in education. Her first teaching position was with Nubia Academy. At the inception of the Holly Drive Leadership Academy, she accepted a position as a Reading Specialist. She continued at Holly Drive as Vice Principal. Then, she was appointed Principal, a position she has held for the past twenty years. Her accomplishments in the education field are many, including IPT Assessment Training, Recipient of the "Hats Off to Teachers" Award, nominee "Teacher of the Year," completion of a Master's Degree and Teaching Credential requirements at National University, Graduate of the "Principal Executive Program" at UCSD, Reading Recovery graduate, and recognition by the Southeast San Diego Rotary Club. Under her leadership and direction, Holly Drive Leadership Academy was selected as a "Best Practice School" in San Diego County.
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Alysia Shaw believes strongly in her community and has been a role model for many girls and young women. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Girls Club of San Diego, the United Way of San Diego County Speakers' Bureau, the Executive Board of Holly Drive Leadership Academy, and the Education Advisory Committee for Holly Drive. She has been an active participant in the Soroptimist Club of San Diego's annual fashion show fundraisers, a member of the "Sepia Silhouettes" modeling group, a U.S. Gymnastic Federation coach, and represented San Diego at the Pan Am Games held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Alysia was an integral part of the Junior League of San Diego's "Career Awareness for Girls" Program, and she coordinated many musical revues performed at convalescent centers in San Diego. As a young girl, she enjoyed gymnastics, tap dance, and ballet and was voted "Girl of the Year" at the Girls Club of San Diego. She competed on the gymnastics team and girls' track and field team at Pt. Loma High School and pole vaulted on the boys' track team, the first girl in California to accomplish such a feat. When asked what she considers her greatest accomplishment and what she is most proud of, Aysia will not hesitate to tell you - my three daughters, Chanel, Shyanne, and Sierra.
Angela Jones
Administrative Assistant
Angela Jones has been the Administrative Assistant at Holly Drive Leadership Academy for over 19 years. Angela’s responsibilities include enrollment, attendance, and coordinating field trips. Before this role, Angela worked as a Cashier in a retail store and as a Certified Nursing Assistant in a Convalescent Nursing Home. Angela holds a BA Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. In her spare time, she enjoys movies, traveling, and shopping.
Deidra Brooks
Primetime Supervisor
Deidra Britt-Brooks is the H.E.A.T. before and after-school program specialist and instructional assistant. She was born and raised in San Diego and attended Hoover High School, San Diego City College, and San Diego State University. She has been at Holly Drive Leadership for 16 years. Her hobbies include playing word games, reading, and scrapbooking, and she is in the process of writing her own cookbook. She is the proud mother of 2 sons and one granddaughter.
Makini Cunningham
Teacher
I am Makini Cunningham. I am enjoying my time here at Holly Drive Leadership Academy. I have been teaching for eight years and have subbed in different school districts for three years. I am a graduate of San Diego State University, and while obtaining my B.A., I had the opportunity to work with youth of all ages in various settings. Working with youth is a passion of mine, and it is the reason I returned to school to get my Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential.
I began working with our youth in 1998. I worked for a nonprofit organization under a California Wellness grant. My job was to help create and implement youth and community development projects. I worked at a neighborhood center where most of the youth were labeled at-risk. They ranged from ages 5 to 18, and it was my commitment to make sure everyone had a learning activity that was fun and exciting to do.
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I have also taught at a private school, been a teacher’s assistant for the juvenile court and community schools, and provided infant childcare at Door of Hope, which the Salvation Army sponsors. I was also a Support Teacher for the Lemon Grove School District.
For five of my teaching years, I was very fortunate to have taught at the same charter school. There, I taught grades 3 and 4, kindergarten, and three years in 2nd grade. During this time, I used the California Common Core Standards. I have experience differentiating instruction, creating and implementing behavioral support plans, and upholding my role in Individualized Educational Plans. Over the years, I’ve learned how to use assessment data to drive my instruction and how to implement technology in my daily instruction.
Teaching has been wonderful overall, and I plan to continue doing it. It constantly keeps me learning and growing as I give all of my students my complete effort to become their very best during our time together.
Daisy Day
Teacher
Daisy Day will be starting her 10th year at Holly Drive Leadership Academy. She was born in the Los Angeles area and raised in Chula Vista. Her parents came as immigrants from Central America to give their children a better life. Her mother, not knowing the English language, was able to graduate from San Diego State and become a teacher. Growing up, Daisy was able to see their hard work and perseverance pay off. This gave Daisy the motivation and drive to want to become a teacher, just like her mother. Daisy has great admiration and respect for her parents.
After graduating from Bonita Vista High School in 2001, she went on to live in Japan for three years. There, she immersed herself in a new culture and experienced life outside California. This experience sparked her passion for traveling and new cultures. Soon afterward, Daisy graduated with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies and a teaching credential from National University. She is currently in the final year of her Master's in Education with an emphasis on Leadership at the University of San Diego.
Daisy Day is also bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish fluently. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her family. Daisy has two amazing daughters who also like to travel, shop, and sightsee the beautiful city of San Diego.
Elitza Gergova
Teacher
Ms. Gergova was born and raised in Eastern Europe and came to the United States in 2004. She was educated in New York City and California, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Multiple Subject Education and a California Teaching Credential. This is Ms. G`s third year teaching at the Holly Drive Leadership Academy.
Hand in hand with teaching, Ms. Gergova is also a Master Swimmer and coaches swimming for children of all ages. In addition, she is a certified Life Coach and ABA therapist with Children’s Autistic Comprehension Educational Services in San Diego. Ms.G loves children, is passionate about education, and is very happy to be a part of the Holly Drive Leadership Academy`s team
Bishop Roy Dixon, D.D.
Founder
Background
Roy Dixon was born in Toomsboro, Georgia, on December 9, 1935. He attended classes in Liberal Arts and Business Administration at the University of Connecticut, Los Angeles City College, and the University of California at Los Angeles. Later, he received his Doctor of Divinity Degree from Vision International University.
During the Mid-1960s, Entrepreneur Dixon owned and operated several Dixon Burger restaurants. A serious accident and extended recuperation caused the demise of the chain. He then became a part of the Taco Bell Corporation, honing his managerial skills and serving in various capacities: Store Manager, District Manager, City Manager, and Franchise Area Trainer, which led to his transfer to San Diego in 1976.
In 1978, Restaurateur Dixon franchised his first Taco Bell restaurant in Otay Mesa. With the help of two partners, Otay Mesa Corporation owned 12 Taco Bell Franchises. In 1985, Pastor Dixon was led to establish a church; in December of that year, 20 people met in the Otay Mesa corporate offices and agreed that they also felt God's call to affiliate themselves with this new endeavor. Faith Chapel then grew from the initial 20 members to more than 1,000 members. A very diverse and talented group of worshippers, they quickly acquired land and built the edifice that now occupies 4999 Holly Drive—an 18,000-square-foot facility that has helped revitalize the surrounding community.
In April 2000, the Presiding Bishop and General Board established the SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOURTH ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION, Bishop Roy Dixon, Prelate.
Bishop Dixon was married for 62 years to Starrie Dixon before God called her home on April 4, 2020, following a lengthy illness. They are parents of three adults– Royce, a computer programmer and singer; Rhonda, who teaches computer skills to preschoolers at daycare centers and does a few commercials; and Dominic, who has found his calling in designing and selling greeting cards. Royce and Rhonda have presented their proud parents with two each of the most beautiful granddaughters– Adrienne, Mia, Indira, and Paden. They are also blessed with six great-grandchildren.
Positions & Achievements
National Church of God in Christ Positions and Achievements
- Coordinator and Director of Convention Planning Auxiliaries in Ministry (AIM), Church of God in Christ
- Board Member, C.H. Mason Theological Seminary at ITC in Atlanta, Georgia
- Appointed to COGIC Businessmen Association
- Chairman, Board of Bishops Grievance Committee
Community and Business Achievements
- Founder and Chairman of Holly Drive Leadership Academy
- Board Member, San Diego Organizing Project
- Board Member, Pacific Institute of Community Organizations (PICO)
- Board Member, California, and San Diego Restaurant Associations
- Board Member, All Congregations Together
- Commissioner, San Diego County Civil Service Commission
- Board Member and Past President, San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Convention Planner, Auxiliaries in Ministry Summer Conventions
- San Diego Super Bowl Task Force
- Board Member, Holiday Bowl
- Board Member, America's Cup
- Civil Activities Council, Donovan State Prison