Puentes y Puertas Names Ronald Sandoval as Founding Academic Leader
Veteran bilingual education leader will help build the school’s academic program in preparation for its Fall 2027 opening
OKLAHOMA CITY — Wednesday, July 15, 2026 — Puentes y Puertas Dual-Language Community School is proud to announce the appointment of Ronald Sandoval as its Founding Academic Leader and Director of Teaching and Learning.
Sandoval brings more than 25 years of experience in bilingual education, dual-language program development, instructional leadership, teacher training, and school administration. As a member of the founding leadership team, he will help design and implement the academic systems, teacher-development structures, curriculum, assessments, and instructional practices that will guide Puentes y Puertas as it prepares to welcome its first students in Fall 2027.
“Ron brings the depth of experience, technical knowledge, and commitment to children that we need at this pivotal stage in our development,” said Robert M. Ruiz, Superintendent and Executive Director of Puentes y Puertas. “He understands that a successful dual-language school must deliver more than language exposure. It must provide rigorous instruction, strong teacher development, and measurable academic growth in both English and Spanish. His leadership will help us build those systems thoughtfully from the beginning.”
Sandoval has served in school- and district-level leadership positions across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma. His experience includes leading bilingual and multilingual services, implementing districtwide dual-language programs, training educators in biliteracy and language acquisition, supporting international teacher recruitment, and serving as the founding principal of a bilingual school in Kuwait.
He also contributed to the development of Wisconsin’s Seal of Biliteracy and has collaborated with universities, state education agencies, school leaders, and national education networks to strengthen opportunities for multilingual students. Sandoval holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and educational leadership credentials from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
“Puentes y Puertas’ plan to authentically integrate families, cultures, traditions, and languages into a united educational community is visionary,” Sandoval said. “I am grateful and honored to bring more than 25 years of experience serving diverse learners to help bring this vision to life.”
“As a member of the founding team, I am excited to help create a school where every language and culture is embraced as a strength and celebrated as an essential part of each student’s identity and our collective community. I look forward to partnering with students, families, the Oklahoma City community, and national and international collaborators to build a school that leaves a lasting legacy of academic excellence, cultural identity, belonging, and exceptional levels of bilingualism and biliteracy.”
During the school’s planning year, Sandoval will lead the development of its two-way dual-language academic model, beginning with an 80/20 Spanish-to-English instructional structure in the early grades. He will also oversee curriculum alignment, early literacy planning, bilingual assessment systems, teacher recruitment and development, instructional coaching, and the creation of the PYP Teaching Academy.
Puentes y Puertas will open in Fall 2027 with approximately 160 students in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade. The tuition-free public charter school will prepare students to become bilingual, biliterate, and academically successful through an immersive, two-way dual-language program focused on strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, and language proficiency.
About Puentes y Puertas
Puentes y Puertas—Spanish for “Bridges and Doors”—is an authorized public charter school preparing to open in northwest Oklahoma City in Fall 2027. The school will serve English- and Spanish-speaking students together through a rigorous two-way dual-language model designed to promote bilingualism, biliteracy, academic achievement, and cultural competence.
Puentes y Puertas will begin with Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade and add one grade level annually as it grows through elementary school.
For more information, visit www.puentesypuertas.org.
Media Contact:
Robert M. Ruiz
Superintendent and Executive Director
Puentes y Puertas Dual-Language Community School
rruiz@enye.net
405-414-0444