In 2001, Semillas founded its first charter school, Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School (“Academia”), a successful and highly innovative community-based school for the youth of East Los Angeles. With Academia as a foundation, its leadership cadre has broadened its original mission to include the development of a network of community-based alternative educational centers from kinder through 12th grade and beyond, through a new identity, Semillas. Semillas is now embarking upon the next step in meeting the needs of students through the foundation of Anahuacalmecac, a 9th through 12th grade charter school, which was authorized by the Los Angeles Unified School District (“District”) in June 2008 and opened its doors in September of that year.

On September 16th, 2002, Semillas opened its doors to new students with the hope of offering an international standard of education where students strive to become internationally-minded, culturally-sensitive community members. On December 5, 2002, students, parents, and staff were joined by community members in the ceremonial opening of Academia Semillas del Pueblo at its newly rehabilitated school facility located at 4736 Huntington Drive South in El Sereno, California.

Semillas’ founders include Minnie Ferguson, Marcos Aguilar, Erica Friedman, Abel Aguilar, Dr. Irene Vásquez, Isidro Nuñez and Norm Apostol. Other integral members involved in the development of the organization include Dr. Juan Gomez-Quiñones from University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Reynaldo Macias from UCLA, and Dr. Rodolfo Acuña from the California State University at Northridge, individuals who are considered to be founders of the Chicano Movement.