In 1998, John and Joan Hall started Education Management Systems to develop and manage charter schools. John and Joan are charter school pioneers who formerly worked in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Over the last 15 years, they have helped thousands of students realize their educational goals.

“Opportunities for Learning” is a service mark owned by EMS and used by three of the four charter schools it manages.

• Opportunities for Learning Hacienda La Puente (now California Charter School Group Hacienda La Puente) was started in 1999.
• Opportunities for Learning William S. Hart was also started in 1999.
• Opportunities for Learning Baldwin Park was added in 2001.
• Opportunities for Learning Capistrano opened July 1, 2003.