FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Families, community partners and local leaders gathered Wednesday morning to celebrate the grand opening of Golden Charter Academy’s new campus in Fresno.<\/p>\n
The new campus is located about half a mile from the Fresno Chaffee Zoo and will serve hundreds of students during the upcoming school year.<\/p>\n
Robert Golden, a former NFL player and founder of the academy, said the opening represents a significant milestone for the school.<\/p>\n
“This has been a long time coming but I can promise you this, that the best is yet to come,” Golden said.<\/p>\n
During the ceremony, Golden highlighted the academic achievements of students who attended the academy at its former location.<\/p>\n
“Those TK students who started in 2021 that are now in 3rd grade, those are some of the best-performing students in the whole state!” Golden said.<\/p>\n
According to the academy, the new campus is the nation’s first transitional kindergarten through eighth-grade Environmental Stewardship Zoo School and is partnering with the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.<\/p>\n
The school’s educational model combines academics with experiential learning, focusing on environmental education and cultural diversity through hands-on instruction.<\/p>\n
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer praised Golden’s commitment to local students during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.<\/p>\n
“Thank you for believing in our children, thank you for believing in Fresno and thank you for believing in the future of our city,” Dyer said.<\/p>\n
Golden Charter Academy is encouraging families to enroll for the new school year. To learn more about the application process, click here.<\/a><\/p>\n For news updates, follow Elisa Navarro on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n