CSVDA
Featured State News

New Principal Brings Experience and Promise to Durham’s CSVDA for 2025–26 School Year

Dawn Mikayla
Isaac

Durham, NC — The Community School of Visual and Digital Arts (CSVDA) has entered the 2025–26 school year with a renewed vision under the leadership of new principal Cheryal Isaac, a seasoned educator with more than three decades of experience.

Quoting poet William Butler Yeats, Isaac reminds her team that, “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” For her, that fire is ignited through a philosophy of teaching for mastery, not just exposure.

A Charter School Serving At-Risk Students

Founded in 1998, CSVDA is a public charter school in Durham serving kindergarten through eighth-grade students who are identified as at risk of academic failure under state and federal guidelines.

  • Most students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches and come from economically disadvantaged households.
  • The school welcomes students from Durham, Wake, Alamance, and Orange Counties, providing them with the same curriculum required by the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.
  • Enrollment is intentionally small, with one class per grade and fewer than 200 students total.

Families apply each January, with kindergarten applicants required to be five years old by August 31. When demand exceeds space, a lottery system determines admissions.

A Vision for Growth and Inclusion

Board Chair Tommy McNeill, a longtime advocate for educational equity, says small class sizes are a cornerstone of CSVDA’s success. “We have the resources and capacity to enroll about sixty more students each year while still providing the personal attention they deserve.”

This personalized approach is reflected in the “One Falcon” initiative, which emphasizes unity, school uniforms, and a family-like environment.

Leadership Rooted in Literacy and Relationships

Isaac, who has served as a literacy coach, district specialist, and private consultant, was no stranger to CSVDA before stepping in as principal. For four years, she worked closely with teachers to strengthen reading instruction.

Her personal story fuels her commitment. “Reading was hard for me as a child. I was in the ‘special reading class’ because I lacked phonics and foundational skills. That’s why I am so passionate about teaching kids to truly understand what they read.”

Her philosophy is simple:

  • Strong foundations in phonics and comprehension are essential.
  • Teachers must be equipped to teach reading effectively, not just assign text.
  • Faculty members should be placed where their strengths can make the most impact.

Stability and Community Engagement

One of CSVDA’s greatest strengths is its long-tenured teaching staff. “Teachers who come here tend to stay,” Isaac notes, adding that some have been with the school for more than 20 years.

CSVDA also thrives on parent engagement. Isaac emphasizes that while most families juggle busy work schedules, they show up when called upon. “This is a word-of-mouth, family-oriented school,” she says, pointing out that many alumni choose CSVDA for their own children.

Looking Ahead: Inspiring Creativity and Academic Success

With its charter renewed for another three years by the NC Department of Public Instruction, CSVDA is focused on expanding opportunity while preserving its close-knit culture.

“Our mission is to inspire creativity, innovation, and personal growth in a supported, inclusive environment,” Isaac says. “We believe every child can learn at the right pace, with the right supports. When our students leave here, we want them to feel ready to do bigger and better.”

McNeill echoes that vision: “By strengthening math, reading, and critical thinking skills, we are not just preparing children for school—we are preparing them for life.”