About Synergy

Every student can succeed. 

This belief was the catalyst for our founders, Dr. Meg Palisoc, Dr. Randy Palisoc, and Dr. Barbara Shannon to build charter schools. Their collective aim was to develop the potential of all students to achieve academic success, regardless of background.

In 2004, Synergy Charter Academy opened its doors to 120 students in grades K-5 with a promise of innovative teaching and unwavering support. Many of those students came from struggling and underperforming schools and were nearly three years behind grade level. Within four years, Synergy Charter Academy students were achieving near the top 10% of all students across the State of California.

Synergy opened a middle school in 2008 and a high school in 2011. Today, Synergy Academies is made up of three thriving schools serving the bright students of South Los Angeles: 

Synergy Charter Academy (TK-5th grade)

Synergy Kinetic Academy (6th-8th grade)

Synergy Quantum Academy (9th-12th grade)

Synergy’s schools are publicly funded and offer tuition-free access to high quality teaching, STEM learning and the preparatory skills necessary to succeed in college, career and life. The success of our award winning model is evident in our consistently high test scores and that 90% of Synergy graduates go on to college. 

Just like our name implies, we are better together. Powerful community is at the heart of our mission. We leverage collaboration and the commitment of staff and families to make our mission a reality. Our community truly is greater than the sum of our parts.

At Synergy Academies, we measure our success in the growth of our students’ minds, hearts and futures. 

Our Mission

We work together as a community to disrupt educational inequity through high quality instruction, access, and support so all students can excel.

Our Instructional Vision

At Synergy, high quality instruction engages students in grade level learning, affirms who they are, and prepares them to excel academically, socially, and civically..

How We Do It

• Engaging and affirming instruction to increase educational equity
• A strong focus on foundational literacy and math skills
• Small schools that foster trusted relationships
• Dedicated STEM learning that integrates the latest technology
• Empowering our teachers to be collaborators and decision-makers 
• A welcoming culture of respect
• Well-rounded electives and extracurriculars
• Robust counseling programs, support for mental health and access to critical resources
• College readiness that includes advising, support for the admissions and financial process and college visitation trips
• Parent workshops and events to engage the whole family