Sabrina is the visionary founder and leader of Excell Academy for Higher Learning, a charter school dedicated to providing high-quality education to college-aspiring underserved students. Her passion for educational equity was ignited during her own experiences attending under-resourced public schools and witnessing inequities firsthand as a licensed elementary teacher. After earning her Master’s degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Gifted Education in 1998, Sabrina set out to create an educational institution that would ensure low-income students of color had access to the same high-quality opportunities as non-minoritized students.
In 1999, with approval from the Minnesota Department of Education, Sabrina founded Excell Academy. The school opened its doors in 2001 with just 65 students in grades K-4. Today, under Sabrina's leadership, Excell Academy serves over 550 children from ages 3½ to 8th grade and employs over 100 staff members. The academy has expanded its offerings to include preschool, kindergarten readiness, community-based voluntary pre-K programs, before and after-school care, tutoring, athletics, and a range of enrichment activities and programs. The Minnesota Department of Education named Excell Academy an official High Quality Charter school, and in 2023, Excell Academy was officially recognized as a Minnesota Full Service Community School, further expanding its impact on students and families.
Sabrina’s influence extends beyond Excell Academy. In 2008, she helped establish the first Minnesota Charter Schools Athletic League and co-founded the Minnesota Charter Leaders of Color Collaborative.
Additionally, Sabrina has earned multiple leadership and community awards for her contributions to education and her dedication to creating equitable learning environments. She is a recipient of numerous accolades, including the Minnesota Educational Policy Fellowship (MNEPF), the Advanced Education Policy Leadership Program (AEPLP), the University of St. Thomas Executive Director Leadership Institute, and recognition in the National Who’s Who in Education Administration.
Her contributions have also been recognized with multiple awards, including recognition in the National Who’s Who in Education Administration, the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools Leadership Award, and the Marquis Who’s Who International Humanitarian Award (2022-2023).
