As the school prepares for its annual Future Fest Dinner, set for April 18 at the Fallon Convention Center, leadership highlights a season of celebration and change. This year’s event will raise funds to support STEM programs and scholarships for graduating seniors, continuing the Oasis legacy of academic excellence and opportunity.
The fundraiser comes at a pivotal moment as two of Oasis Academy’s key leaders, High School Principal Rochelle Tisdale and K-8 Principal Amanda Barbosa—prepare to step away from their roles at the end of the school year.
Tisdale, who is retiring after 28 years in education and 11 years with Oasis, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. She designed the high school model that made Oasis Academy College Prep one of the most successful charter schools in the state.
Under her leadership, Oasis Academy has maintained a 100 percent graduation rate and a consistent 5-star rating since its inception. She implemented a unique dual enrollment model where every student, regardless of placement scores, earns college credit—an approach that has led to millions in scholarships awarded to graduates. Tisdale helped launch the state’s only FFA chapter at a charter school, expanded athletics and co-curricular offerings, and fostered meaningful community engagement. She also oversaw the construction of the high school building, hand-selected exceptional educators, and secured millions in grant funding to sustain the school’s innovative programs.
Even in retirement, Tisdale says she remains committed to supporting Oasis Academy’s continued success.
Elementary Principal Amanda Barbosa also announced she will resign at the end of this school year. Barbosa, known for championing student morale, reinstated student recognition programs like Buster’s Best and Bighorn Bucks while supporting major academic events like the Science Fair and National History Day Expo.
In light of these departures, the Oasis Academy Board of Directors is restructuring administration, creating a whole school leader and site administrators. The internal search for the new K-12 leader is underway and will be discussed at the next board meeting.
However, leadership changes are only part of the story—Oasis Academy continues to expand and excel, with students and staff reaching new milestones across academics, extracurriculars, and campus development. This year, Jackie Bogdanowicz was named FFA Teacher of the Year along with several students earning National FFA trips, and the Oasis Academy Girls Basketball team qualified for the Regional Playoffs in the 2A for the first time in school history. In the classroom, students also exceed expectations. One middle schooler completed a college-level course at Western Nevada College, and the high school reported the highest ACT scores to date. This June, a group of middle school students will travel to Washington, D.C., to compete at the National History Day Competition, showcasing their research and presentation skills on a national stage.
Oasis teachers continue to shine as well. Kelly Nott was honored with the Dickinson Emerging Teacher “Excellence in Civics Education” Award, which recognized her outstanding work in social studies instruction. Meanwhile, big improvements are on the horizon for the campus itself. A playground remodel is scheduled to begin this summer with construction by Big T Recreation, and the school is actively planning a new multi-use gymnasium facility along with a complete renovation of the K-8 building and surrounding property. These developments reflect Oasis Academy’s ongoing commitment to excellence, growth, and opportunity for all students.
As the Future Fest Dinner draws near, the event promises to be more than a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of a thriving community that’s building momentum for the next generation.
Comment
Comments