Joe Lucente

Joe Lucente is a pioneer in the charter school movement and recognized as one of the state’s leading experts in charter school finance. In 1993, Mr. Lucente led the conversion of one of the first conversion charter schools in California. Once considered one of the worst elementary schools in LAUSD, Fenton Avenue Charter School became a California Distinguished School and a national model of a successful conversion charter school honored by the White House, U.S. Congress and California Legislature. A fearless warrior for charter school student equity and as past-President of the California Network of Educational Charters (CANEC), he was a driving force in the creation of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA). He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Fenton Charter Public Schools, a CMO formed in 2012 that currently operates three charter schools in the L.A. area. Mr. Lucente was awarded a Hart Vision Award in 1997 for his leadership role in the California Charter Schools Movement. Fenton Avenue Charter School is the 2013 Hart Vision Charter School of the Year.

Mr. Lucente received the Legacy Award at the 20th Annual Charter Schools Conference. The Legacy Awards were created to celebrate those outstanding charter school supporters, funders, operators and elected officials who have been stewards of the movement over the last 20 years. Each Legacy Award winner represents the hope and dedication of two generations of California Charter School students.