In a charter school career spanning more than 20 years, Tiffany DeGraffenreid has served as a classroom assistant, independent study teacher, administrator, curriculum department chair, counselor, learning lead, vice principal, director of operations, and founding principal.

In 2020, she transitioned from charter school employee to charter school authorizer as program manager for San Diego Unified School District’s (SDUSD) Office of Charter Schools and, in 2023, became manager of the office responsible for overseeing academics, finances, governance, and operations for 41 charter schools serving nearly 19,000 students.

She joined the CCAP Board in February 2024.

Ms. DeGraffenreid, a fifth generation San Diegan, describes herself as an “equity driven educator” on a mission to develop “innovative ways to create opportunities and hope for all students” in the community.

Her passion for this work motivated Ms. DeGraffenreid to found Ingenuity Charter School, an independent study Dashboard Alternative School Status (DASS) charter school designed to serve the most vulnerable student populations in San Diego.

Under her leadership the school received WASC accreditation, formed a School Site Council (SSC) and an English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC), and acquired UC doorways A-G course approval—all in its first year of operation. Ingenuity Charter School staff studied trauma-informed teaching, became experts in human trafficking and suicide prevention, and made thoughtful connections throughout the community to provide opportunities for students inside and outside of the classroom.

In addition to her new role on the CCAP Board, Ms. DeGraffenreid serves on the Board of Directors for the California Association of Administrators for State and Federal Programs (“CAASFEP”) and volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster youth.

You can read more about Ms. DeGraffenreid in this CCAP newsletter profile.