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Ileana celebrates the opening of OFY’s new High Desert campus, with Principal Bernadette Grant, expanding opportunities for students to learn in ways that fit them best.
When asked what keeps her inspired after more than a decade with OFY, Ileana smiles before answering.
“I just fell in love with it. I’m a lifer.”
That’s how Superintendent Ileana Kiriakos describes her commitment to Options For Youth (OFY), a network of public charter schools created for students who need something more personalized than the traditional school model. Her journey into leadership is grounded in experience, empathy, and a powerful belief: school should feel like it was made for you.
We sat down with Ileana to talk about her path in education, what makes OFY unique, and why every student deserves a learning environment where they feel seen, valued, and supported.
Finding Belonging
Ileana grew up in San Bernardino and started her school journey in the “B Track” program for bilingual students. It was a place where she saw herself reflected in her teachers and peers.
“I felt like I belonged. I didn’t have to explain myself—I was just me,” she recalls.
That changed in middle school, when she transferred to a predominantly white magnet school.
“I was one of only five Hispanic students. It was a culture shock. I had to adapt quickly, figure out how to fit in, and navigate unfamiliar spaces.”
That early contrast—between belonging and feeling out of place—became a cornerstone of how she now leads: by creating schools where every student feels like they matter.
A Dream that Started in Second Grade
From a young age, Ileana knew she wanted to serve students.
“In second grade, I wrote a letter to my future self saying I wanted to be a teacher in San Bernardino.”
She followed that path, earning her credential in 2010. But with hiring freezes during the recession, teaching jobs were scarce.
“I needed to work. I saw a posting for Options For Youth, but I didn’t really know what it was. When I walked in for the interview, I remember thinking, ‘This doesn’t look like a school.’ I didn’t expect to stay.”
But once she started teaching, everything changed.
“I fell in love with our students. Teens are dynamic, fun, and full of potential. All they really want is to be treated with care and respect. When you show up for them, they rise to meet you.”
Leading with Connection
As a new teacher, Ileana saw an opportunity to bring students together. She launched a student council class that began with five students and quickly grew to 35.
“It wasn’t just about leadership skills. It was about giving students purpose and a place to belong.”
One student, a foster youth, told her after volunteering at a food pantry, “Miss, it feels so good to help. I’m always the one being helped, but today I got to give.”
That moment has stayed with her —it reminded her that learning isn’t just about academics; it’s about connection, contribution, and community.
A Place Where Students Come First
At OFY, everything starts with the student.
“We don’t start with a file. We start with a conversation,” Ileana says. “We ask about their goals, their interests, their dreams. That’s how we build trust.”
“We want students to see that success doesn’t look just one way. There’s not one right way to be smart, talented, or professional.”
Students are welcomed for who they are, not who others expect them to be. From flexible learning options to inclusive staff culture, every part of the school is designed to reflect and respect the people in it.
Students are encouraged to express themselves, whether that means colorful hair, tattoos, or unique styles.
“We want students to see that success doesn’t look just one way. There’s not one right way to be smart, talented, or professional.”
Even hiring is shaped by this philosophy.
“We ask questions like, ‘What kind of relationships do you want to build with students?’ We’re looking for people who believe in our mission to serve, connect, and uplift.”
Celebrating Every Path
At OFY, success isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether a student is graduating, getting their first job, or gaining confidence in who they are, every step forward is worth celebrating.
Ileana shares stories that show how far students can go with the right support:
- A 16-year-old graduate who became a nurse after losing her partner to gang violence.
- A student who dropped out, returned later, and eventually earned his master’s degree from Harvard.
- A young man who reconnected with OFY after serving time and enrolled in college with help from his former teachers.
"We’ve had barbers, artists, entrepreneurs, and graduates from top universities," she says. "Every student has their own version of success. Our job is to walk beside them on that journey.”
A Campaign with Purpose - Made for You
OFY recently launched its new message: “Made for You”— a promise to design schools that adapt to students, not the other way around.
OFY recently launched its new message: “Made for You”—a commitment to schools that adapt to students, not the other way around.
“Public education should reflect the diversity of the kids we serve. One format won’t work for every student or every family,” Ileana says.
As a mom, she understands this deeply.
“My son is thriving in a traditional high school. He’s on the football team and loves it. But if either of my kids ever needed something different, I’d want them to have options.”
Her hope is that families who feel out of place in traditional systems know that there are schools built with them in mind.
“I want students and parents to know that school can be a place where you’re understood. Where you’re respected. Where it feels like it was made for you.”
Schools that Reflect Students
Ileana’s leadership is rooted in one belief: education should be personal. OFY schools are designed to reflect the strengths, needs, and potential of the students they serve.
Through individualized learning, strong relationships, and inclusive spaces, OFY helps students chart their own path—and believe in it.
If you or someone you know feels overlooked or stuck in a system that doesn’t fit, remember this: school can feel like it was made for you. At OFY, every student matters. Every story matters. And every future is worth investing in.
To learn more about OFY’s programs or explore options for your student, visit ofy.org.
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