Alisa Diakite

Chief Academic Officer/Head of School

Alisa Diakite is an accomplished educational leader with more than 30 years of experience serving students, families, educators, and school communities. Throughout her career as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, she has remained deeply committed to creating schools where students feel known, challenged, supported, and prepared to succeed.

Alisa is recognized for her ability to lead school improvement, strengthen instructional systems, and develop the capacity of teachers and emerging leaders. Her leadership experience includes implementing rigorous curricula, designing effective intervention and student-support systems, advancing restorative practices, cultivating teacher leadership, and using data to improve academic achievement and school culture. Under her leadership, schools have experienced stronger instructional consistency, increased student engagement, improved staff retention, and significant reductions in student suspensions.

As Chief Academic Officer and Head of School, Alisa brings a student-centered and collaborative approach to leadership. She believes that lasting school improvement is built through strong relationships, clear expectations, thoughtful coaching, and systems that allow both students and adults to grow. She is committed to listening to the voices of students, families, and staff while building a shared vision of excellence, belonging, and opportunity.

Alisa earned both her bachelor’s degree in history and Secondary Education and her master’s degree in educational administration from Providence College. She has also completed advanced leadership development through the Rhode Island Department of Education’s Aspiring Turnaround Leaders program.

At the heart of Alisa’s leadership is a simple but powerful belief: every student possesses potential, every educator can continue to grow, and strong school communities are built when people work together with purpose, courage, and care.