About Fort Worth
STEAM Academy

We're a tuition-free public charter middle school in Fort Worth, built from scratch by educators, families, and the community. This school exists because Fort Worth kids deserve a middle school that truly delivers for them.

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It all Started With a Simple Question. 

Fort Worth STEAM Academy was born from a simple but urgent question: What if middle school truly prepared students for high school and beyond? 

Last year, just one in three middle school students in East Fort Worth were proficient in reading. Just one in five were proficient in math. 

We started this school because we believed something different was possible. Not a school that tries harder and gets the same results. A school designed differently from the ground up — with structures, supports, and an instructional model built around how middle schoolers actually learn and grow.

What if middle school truly prepared students for high school and beyond? 

Fort Worth STEAM Academy is our answer to that question. It's a school where students are known, supported, challenged, and celebrated. Where every day is structured and joyful. Where the goal isn't just to get kids to 9th grade — it's to get them there ready for the future.

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What We Believe:

Our Mission

Our mission is to prepare all middle school students for success in high school, college, and career through a STEAM focused education, a joyful culture of high expectations, and robust community partnerships.

Our Vision

Fort Worth STEAM Academy students will receive an exceptional education that allows them to pursue careers in STEAM fields and become productive members of their communities in Fort Worth and beyond.

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Our Values:

  • We pursue excellence with urgency, discipline, and personal ownership. We deliver measurable results. 

  • We collaborate with intention, communicate directly, and hold each other to high standards

  • We solve hard problems with bold thinking and fast action. We test, learn, and scale what works—because better is always possible.

  • We improve constantly by learning fast, acting on feedback, and never settling for “good enough.”

  • We put students at the center of every decision. Their growth, safety, and long-term success guide our actions, ensuring that every choice advances learning and opportunity.

Experienced Leadership
You Can Trust:

Nicholas Ditto

Nicholas Ditto is a mission-driven school leader with more than a decade of experience delivering strong academic results for students and families. Over the course of his career, he has served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and founding principal—roles that have shaped his student-centered, results-oriented approach to leadership.

Prior to founding Fort Worth STEAM Academy, Nicholas served as the Founding Principal of IDEA Rise College Prep, a middle and high school in Fort Worth’s Las Vegas Trails neighborhood. Under his leadership, the school earned consecutive “A” ratings from the Texas Education Agency, was recognized as a U.S. News & World Report Best Middle School, and was the highest-performing middle school in the City of Fort Worth during the 2021–22 and 2022–23 school years.

Nicholas is currently the Founder & Superintendent of Fort Worth STEAM Academy, a tuition-free public charter middle school opening in August 2026. Built on rigorous academics, a safe and joyful learning environment, and individualized learning, Fort Worth STEAM Academy is designed to prepare students for long-term success in high school, college, and future careers.

Founder & Superintendent

Meet Our Board

Angelica Leveroni-Gomez
Angelica Leveroni-Gomez
Board Chair
Angelica is a Senior Program Officer at Schusterman Family Philanthropies, where she manages the teacher workforce portfolio. Her work is focused on expanding high-quality preparation routes and strengthening pathways into the profession for aspiring teachers, and on integrating strong attention to the needs of multilingual learners across the team's K12 education investments. Angelica holds a BA from the University of Michigan, an MPH from Harvard, and an MBA from UC Berkeley. She is a 2023 Latinos for Education Board Fellow, and serves on the board of Generation Teach.
Brian Quintero
Brian Quintero
Board Member
Brian is a Vice President in the Commercial Real Estate Loan Operations department at Goldman Sachs. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs in 2016, Brian served as a Corps Member for Teach for America from 2012 to 2015 and as a combat medic in the US Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He deployed twice to Iraq for a total of 27 months and formed himself as a pragmatic problem solver. These experiences, combined with his military discipline and commitment to service, have significantly influenced his approach to strategic decision-making. Brian holds a BBA in International Business and Marketing from Texas Tech University and is currently pursuing a Data Science and Analytics certification from Southern Methodist University.
Eric C. Wilson
Eric C. Wilson
Board Treasurer
Eric Wilson is a Director at Your Part-Time Controller, LLC (YPTC) and leads the firm's Dallas/Fort Worth office. Eric draws on his nonprofit accounting expertise and passion for the nonprofit sector to ensure a standard of excellence in client service and deliverables. Eric is a licensed CPA and earned bachelor and master degrees in accounting from Texas Tech University. His public accounting experience includes audits of financial statements, Federal grant compliance (Uniform Guidance/A-133), and other compliance frameworks.
Jill Fox
Jill Fox
Board Secretary
Jill Fox is an accomplished nonprofit and operations leader with extensive experience spanning education, finance, legal services, and organizational management. Most recently, she served as Director of Operations at a Fort Worth nonprofit early childhood learning center. Earlier in her career, Jill held administrative and operations roles in the financial and legal sectors and also served as an award-winning third-grade educator. Jill holds a BA from Texas Christian University and a Master of Theological Studies from Brite Divinity School. She also earned the SHRM-CP credential and is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Ruben Esqueda
Ruben Esqueda
Board Member
Ruben Esqueda is the Vice President of Development for Blue Ridge Atlantic, responsible for identifying opportunities for growth in new and existing markets. He manages all aspects of site selection, local government, community relations, due diligence, and design. Ruben has worked with both for-profit and non-profit firms in affordable and market-rate multifamily housing across several states. He received a Master's degree from Texas A&M in Land and Property Development and a BA in Real Estate from the University of North Texas.
TarNeisha Mukokov
TarNeisha Mukokov
Board Member
TarNeisha Mukoko is a proud Fort Worth native, life and resilience coach, educator, community leader, and devoted mom to her son, MJ. For over 20 years, she has dedicated her life to strengthening families, building confidence, and guiding others toward purpose and achievement. She brings deep community connection and leadership experience to Fort Worth STEAM Academy, helping to strengthen family engagement, expand partnerships, and ensure students have the support they need to thrive.