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Meet Our Team

The People Behind iPrep

Guiding Minds, Shaping Futures.

At Independence Preparatory Academy, our people make the difference. Our team of dedicated educators, administrators, and support staff work together to create a vibrant learning environment where every student can thrive. We are passionate about inspiring academic excellence, fostering character, and preparing students for a lifetime of success.

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Meet Our Founder

Dr. Calandra Sales

Dr. Sales’ commitment to founding iPrep is deeply rooted in cherished memories of her grandfather, a black man born in rural Alabama in the 1930s, who demonstrated tenacity and resilience to become a skilled carpenter despite lacking postsecondary options after high school. His dedication ensured that all five of his children pursued college degrees. He instilled in her a profound belief in the transformative power of education, inspired by George Washington Carver’s words: “Education is the key that unlocks the golden door to freedom.” His lessons ignited a passion for education’s ability to break barriers and provide opportunities beyond marginalization, a true sense of freedom and independence. Dr. Sales firmly believes every child deserves access to the highest-quality education that prepares them for college and empowers them to pursue their career aspirations. Such an education grants them the freedom to shape their destinies and pursue their dreams. With over two decades of experience in education, during which she has consistently delivered positive outcomes for students, and her commitment to co-creating iPrep with the community, Dr. Sales is uniquely positioned to design a school that places student success, innovation, and community involvement at its core. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology and Mathematics Education from Alabama A&M University and a master’s and doctorate in Educational Leadership from Clark Atlanta University. In 2023, she completed school founder fellowships with BES and New Schools for Alabama. Previously, she was the director of leader development at IDEA Public Schools in Tampa, FL, where she coached and developed first-year principals and aspiring leaders. With a diverse background encompassing roles such as school leader, curriculum specialist, instructional coach, content and assessment director, and classroom teacher, Dr. Sales is well-equipped to navigate the complexities of founding a high-quality school option.

Board of Directors

Meet the Team That Makes It Happen

The Board of Directors at Independence Preparatory Academy provides strategic guidance and steadfast oversight to ensure our mission stays on course. This diverse group of leaders brings expertise in education, business, and community engagement, working collaboratively to strengthen the school’s vision, financial health, and long-term success.

Monthly Board Meeting

The iPrep Board of Directors meet monthly on the 4th Tuesday at 6:00 PM CST via Zoom
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Accommodations
  • Reasonable efforts will be made to assist and accommodate persons with a disability. Please get in touch with Dr. Calandra Sales at 205-898-7505. The request should be made as early as possible to arrange the accommodations, no later than 24 hours before the meeting.
Public Comments
  • Board meetings are a public forum to provide school governance transparency. Engagement from the community is strongly encouraged and vital to that governance.

  • A total of 10 minutes shall be set aside for public comment.  Each speaker will have a maximum of 2 minutes to speak.  A speaker may not sign up to speak more than once during the same public comment period.

  • Board members shall not provide responses nor engage in direct conversation with speakers during public comments. The board will direct the Executive Director to engage in responding at a later time as necessary and appropriate.

  • Speakers are encouraged to maintain decorum and present their comments in a civil manner.  The Governing Board reserves the right to request any speaker engaging in personal attacks or using obscene or derogatory language to restate their position in a manner more appropriate for a school environment.

Open Records Request
  • Under the Alabama Open Records Act (Al. Code §36-12-40), all public records are available for inspection and copying unless they are specifically exempted from disclosure under the law. If a government agency or custodian of public records withholds a public document from production under an Open Records Request, they will cite the provision of Alabama law that exempts the record from being produced.

Should you have any questions or other concerns, please get in touch with our Founder & Executive Director at:

Dr. Calandra Sales
​Email: CSales@learnatiprep.com

Phone: 205-898-7505

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