EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Message from the Founder & CEO

At the heart of every strong community is a strong education system. I believe that education is not only about academics it is about identity, confidence, opportunity, and the future we create for our children.

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My name is Sami Nabizada. I am an educator and school founder with over 15 years of experience in building and leading successful schools and a university serving thousands of students.

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Throughout my journey in education, I have seen both the power of strong educational systems and the serious gaps that exist when students do not have access to programs and support that truly meet their needs.

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In recent years, especially since 2021, our community in Sacramento has welcomed thousands of Afghan families, including refugees and newcomers. While this has brought strength and cultural richness to our community, it has also created a very real and urgent educational need.

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Many of our children are facing challenges that go far beyond the classroom. They are learning a new language, adjusting to a new culture, and in many cases overcoming interrupted education and past hardships. At the same time, many families face language barriers and are unfamiliar with the school system, making it difficult to support their children’s learning.

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The reality is clear and supported by data: a large percentage of Farsi-Dari and Pashto-speaking students are not meeting grade level standards in English and Math, and very few are continuing into college or university. These are not just numbers they represent our children, their struggles, and their future.

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This is why Sunshine Charter School was founded to partner with the San Juan Unified School District in better serving multilingual students, particularly those from Farsi-Dari  and Pashto-speaking backgrounds, through a structured, standards-aligned academic program. Our goal is to complement the district’s efforts by providing an additional, targeted option to support student success.

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This school is not just a project—it is a response to a real need in our community. It comes from experience, from understanding, and from a deep commitment to building a better path forward for our children.

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Sunshine Charter School is designed to provide a strong academic foundation, combined with language development, cultural connection, and targeted support through programs such as our Academic Bridge Program (ABP). Our goal is simple but powerful: to ensure that every child is supported, confident, and prepared for long term success.

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For me, this step comes from a sense of responsibility. After years of working in education and building institutions, I felt a clear duty to step forward and create something that truly meets the needs of our community.

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Today, Sunshine Charter School stands as a community driven effort. It is supported by dedicated educators, thousands of committed families, community leaders, organizations, and over 150 local entrepreneurs who believe in this mission and have stood with us throughout this journey.

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I would like to sincerely thank our leadership team, our parents and families, our community entrepreneurs, and all of our partner organizations for your continued support, trust, and belief in this vision. Your support is not only appreciated it is what makes this work possible.

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I invite you all to continue standing with us, supporting this mission, and being part of building a stronger future for our children.

Together, we can build a brighter future for our children.

 

Sincerely,
Sami Nabizada
Founder & CEO
Sunshine Charter School