There’s a New Doctor in the House at the Renaissance Academy!

Phoenixville, PA – The Renaissance Academy Charter School is proud to announce that, on May 12th, 2018, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gina Guarino Buli received her doctorate in education from Gwynedd Mercy University.

Dr. Guarino Buli began her educational journey at Immaculata High School in Somerville, NJ. She went on to receive her Bachelors of Science in Secondary English Education from Bloomsburg University and then her Masters in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

Throughout her professional career, Dr. Guarino Buli has worked at the Department of Defense Schools in Baumholder, Germany as well as having taught in parochial and charter schools in Trenton, NJ. She came to Renaissance Academy as an English language arts teacher, and Lead Teacher in 2000, moving on to administrative roles as an Academy Director then finally overseeing the entire school operations as its CEO, in 2006.

Dr. Guarino Buli had very personal reasons for wanting to attain this accomplishment. “Renaissance Academy prides itself on 'building lifelong learners'. I hope that my own example of being a 'lifelong student' will inspire both my staff and the many students we serve, to continue to learn and seek knowledge in whatever area they are passionate about."

On average, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) takes approximately three years to complete. Candidates need to hold a master's degree in education to meet program entrance requirements. Dr. Guarino Buli graduated in 2 ½ years through an accelerated program. Her dissertation explored leaders’ perceived styles varied when comparing charter schools and traditional public school in Montgomery and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania. What she learned through researching this focus was that leaders from both type schools put great value on their autonomy but neither indicated that this factor was directly related to their choice of leading in a particular type of school. The greatest factor in a leader's decision to lead at a particular type of school was alignment with the school's educational philosophy and mission.

“As a leader in a charter school, I know how critical it is that students and families are able to choose an educational setting that best fits their needs. Knowing that the leaders in all schools indicated a high-value placement on the educational mission further confirms for me, that working with educators and leaders of common values is key to school success.”

Dr. Guarino Buli lives in Montgomery County, PA, where she resides with her husband, Paul Buli Jr. and daughters, Julianna and Maribelle, both students at the Renaissance Academy. She appreciates the support she has received during the long hours of work it took to earn her Ed.D. “I am truly grateful for the support of my board of trustees, my staff and my family as they provided the encouragement necessary to achieve this milestone goal in my education. My family was gracious and patient during many stressful days and late nights leading up to this accomplishment.”

Dr. Guarino Buli is the CEO of Renaissance Academy, a fully-accredited, K-12, award-winning, tuition-free, college prep charter school located in Phoenixville, PA. Established in 1999, the school currently educates over 1060 students from 20 surrounding school districts. More information on the school can be found at www.rak12.org.