I support school choice and the establishment of charter schools, but I am deeply concerned about the approval process for John Adams Academy (JAA) in Sterling Ranch, Colorado. This is not an argument against charter schools in general, but against the lack of transparency, fairness, and accountability in how JAA was authorized.
On June 17, 2025, the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) approved JAA, despite widespread community opposition. The process began when Christy Williams, president of the Douglas County School District (DCSD), unilaterally placed a resolution on the agenda in November 2024 allowing JAA to bypass the district and apply directly to CSI. Sterling Ranch residents were given little notice, limiting their ability to respond.
Even DCSD board members raised concerns about the rushed and opaque process. The resolution passed by a narrow 4-3 vote. Among those voting in favor was Becky Myers, linked to Grandparents4Kids, a group led by JAA founder Linda White and known for opposing LGBTQ rights — indicating possible ideological motives behind the approval.
Several key JAA figures have ties to conservative political groups and local developers. Linda White and Ellen “Ellie” Reynolds, both JAA founders, are connected to Ready Colorado and to the Sterling Ranch developers who “generously” donated land for the school. These overlapping political, financial, and business relationships raise concerns about conflicts of interest and whether the decision was truly made in the community’s best interest.
Sterling Ranch already voted to build a public neighborhood school, opening in 2027-2028. With nearby schools merging due to declining enrollment, JAA’s earlier opening risks draining public resources, especially since DCSD’s per-student funding averages $10,958.
JAA promotes a classical education model emphasizing Latin, cursive writing and Singapore math. While traditional academics have merit, I question its inclusivity and relevance for today’s society, neglecting global perspectives and STEM fields.
Further concerns include a 2024 lawsuit alleging California JAA’s falsified test scores. Despite claims of nonpartisanship, social media posts from Ellie Reynolds framed the school’s approval as a conservative victory. After the CSI vote, some of JAA’s founders mocked local opponents online, calling Sterling Ranch a “crazy neighborhood,” further damaging trust.
This controversy is not just about one school — it’s about a broken approval system. The lack of transparency, potential conflicts of interest, and disregard for community input reveal a troubling erosion of public trust and democratic accountability.
Molly Whitehair
Sterling Ranch