To sustain and elevate Sanderlin's IB program through private community investment, ensuring that a world-class education remains accessible without financial barriers for all students and families.
We are here to directly invest in public education. When families, local advocates, and educators unite behind Sanderlin's standard of excellence, we show what public schools can achieve through shared community support.
As a nationally recognized public magnet school, Sanderlin brings together a socio-economic cross-section of our community under one rigorous curriculum. It is an integrated K-8 where about 60 percent of students are students of color, 38 percent qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and results sit above the Florida average in reading, math, and science.
Friends of Sanderlin exists so this quality education remains available to every enrolled child. Here is what our support funds:
To maintain IB World School authorization, educators must complete specific, recurring professional development. This fund covers the specialized training required for teachers to retain their IB certifications and stay fluent in the framework.
IB instruction relies on interdisciplinary planning around inquiry units. As standard school schedules leave less room for joint planning, this fund provides the compensated time required by IB standards for teachers to build cohesive, cross-subject lessons.
We fund inquiry-driven software, lab materials, and classroom resources chosen by the educators who use them. These tools allow teachers to differentiate their instruction, ensuring every student receives what they need to fully engage with the rigorous IB curriculum.
Field trips, community projects, and beyond-the-classroom excursions are a crucial requirement of an IB education. This fund makes global citizenship concrete by connecting classroom inquiry to the real world.
Our entirely volunteer board is composed of current Sanderlin parents invested in the long-term success of our school and our students. The principal serves in a non-voting advisory seat.
Board Chair
With a Master of Science in Urban Education from the Penn Graduate School of Education and a background as a former middle school teacher, Jeanette brings a deep understanding of the classroom to the foundation. She advocates for the tools and collaborative support educators need to deliver exceptional learning.
Vice Chair
Melanie draws on her work as a business coach to guide the strategic growth and organizational stability of the foundation. She ensures that community investments yield the strongest possible impact for students.
Treasurer
Patty combines her analytical skills as a pharmacist with deep roots in the school community as PTA President. She ensures the transparent, responsible stewardship of foundation funds.
Secretary
Max is an attorney for the Florida Department of Financial Services and an engaged civic advocate. His experience on public transit and neighborhood association boards, and his leadership in local pedestrian and bike safety initiatives, brings a strong commitment to grassroots community building to the board.
Director of Universal Access
Angela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than a decade of experience. She is committed to advancing equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities and resources for all students. Drawing on her experience in school social work, mental health, advocacy, and community collaboration, Angela works to identify barriers, strengthen partnerships, and help ensure every student has the opportunity and support needed to thrive.
Director of Marketing and Communications
Whitney is a strategic communications and public affairs leader with more than a decade of experience, including senior roles at PSTA and the national nonprofit Moms First. She helps Friends of Sanderlin tell its story, build community support and engage the families, partners and supporters who can help advance its mission.
Principal (Ex Officio)
Serving in a non-voting advisory capacity, Ms. Cormier keeps fundraising aligned with the immediate needs and long-term vision of Sanderlin IB World School. Her guidance is vital to our collaborative mission.
Some employer matching portals list us as "Friends of Sanderlin" without "Inc." Both names refer to the same organization, EIN 42-4520718.
Friends of Sanderlin was incorporated in 2026 and is in its first year of operation. Our IRS determination letter is available on request, and annual filings will be posted after our first fiscal year closes on June 30, 2027. Write to info@friendsofsanderlin.org and we will send what we have.
