Amethod Public Schools
In 2004 Jorge Lopez took control of the school. At the time its Academic Performance Index (API) was 650. Lopez received guidance from Ben Chavis, head of the American Indian Model Schools, and established a system similar to the system of American Indian Public Charter School at Oakland Charter Academy. In late September 2007 the Oakland Charter Academy became the second public school in Oakland to win the National Blue Ribbon award. Oakland Charter High School opened in 2007.
NIST International School
NIST is currently operated by a non-profit organization, the NIST International School Foundation (NIST Foundation). Former chairs of the NIST Foundation include Mechai Viravaidya and Pridiyathorn Devakula, and the current chair is Sarath Ratanavadi. The NIST Foundation chooses a board of directors, elected from the parent body, which selects the Head of School and ensures parent oversight. The current Head of School, Brett Penny, worked at NIST from 2000 to 2003 before returning and serving as the Head of Elementary from 2011 to 2016.