[3] Fernando Zulueta had created a Miramar, Florida housing development in 1997 that needed a local school for the residents.
With the help of his brother, they grew an empire of 200 charter schools that rely on Academica for curriculum, tests, facilities, security, staff recruitment, budgeting, accounting and other services.
The company also assists clients in launching independent charter schools by writing charter school applications, establishing corporate structures, providing experts to advocate and lobby government agencies, managing public relations & marketing, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
[8] While serving the in Florida Legislature, Anitere Flores and Manny Díaz Jr. both worked as corporate officers at Doral College[9] and helped ease restrictions on charter schools.
[10] Academica came under controversy as its owners also own significant real estate assets, which house the charter schools that are exempt from property tax.