Our Story

Fortune School of Education, established in 1989, provides preparation programs to fill the “pipeline” of educators needed in today’s schools. It was the brainchild of Dr. Rex Fortune, who as a school superintendent, saw an opportunity to bring more diverse teaching candidates into public schools, especially in the shortage areas of science and mathematics instruction.  

Understanding the unique needs of teachers, students and the wider school system was something Dr. Fortune honed throughout his career. He served as a public school superintendent in California for over 20 years. Fortune holds a doctorate in education from Stanford University.   It’s the culmination of Dr. Fortune’s extensive experience and expertise that has created the exceptional graduate school now known as Fortune School of Education.  

Training teachers and school administrators is only part of the story. In 2008, Margaret Fortune joined Fortune School of Education as its President and CEO. Under her leadership, Fortune School of Education has expanded to include a system of tuition-free, college preparatory, public charter schools. Located in San Bernardino and Sacramento, which boast the second and third highest Black student populations in California, the schools are focused on closing the African American achievement gap.

Fortune School is a unique partnership between public charter schools and the Black Press. Fortune School is proud to have as its partners The Black Voice News and The Sacramento Observer Newspaper. Deeply rooted in the communities we serve, each Fortune School is named for a living, local African American community icon.