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Great Hearts Academies

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Formation2003; 21 years ago (2003)
TypeNon-profit Charter School Management Organization
Location
Websitewww.greatheartsamerica.org

Great Hearts Academies is a non-profit charter school management organization that operates a network of elementary, middle, and high schools in the Phoenix, Arizona Metropolitan area; in San Antonio, Ft. Worth, and Irving, Texas; and East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with new academies planned for Florida in Fall 2025.[1]

Great Hearts Academies has 30,000 students enrolled for the 2024–2025 school year.

History

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Overview

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Great Hearts Academies is a non-profit network of public charter schools in the United States. Founded in 2003, the organization aims to provide a classical liberal arts education to students in grades K-12. As of the 2024–2025 school year, the network comprises 47 charter schools across Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana serving 30,000 students. Great Hearts Academies is known for its rigorous curriculum, high academic standards, and emphasis on character development.[2]

Founding and early years

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Great Hearts Academies was established in 2003 by Dr. Daniel Scoggin, Jay Heiler, Bob Mulhern and a group of like-minded educators in Phoenix, Arizona. The founders sought to create a network of public schools that would offer students a comprehensive liberal arts education, focusing on the development of critical thinking, effective communication, and intellectual curiosity.[3]

The first school in the network, Veritas Preparatory Academy, opened its doors in 2003 in Phoenix. This flagship institution set the standard for the rigorous academic program and core values that would be central to all Great Hearts Academies.

Expansion and growth

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Following the success of Veritas Preparatory Academy, Great Hearts Academies expanded rapidly throughout Arizona, opening more schools to meet the growing demand for high quality classical liberal arts education.[4][5] In 2011, Great Hearts Texas was founded, and the first Texas campus, Great Hearts Monte Vista, opened in San Antonio in 2014.[6] As of September 2024, the Great Hearts network comprises 25 schools in Arizona, 21 in Texas, and one in Louisiana.[7]

Curriculum and educational philosophy

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Great Hearts is a K-12 charter school network offering a high-quality classical liberal arts education, tuition free. Great Hearts’ curriculum focuses on a core reading list of Great Books called Classics to Keep.[8] The Archway campuses – the elementary schools of the network – all teach phonics, spelling, handwriting, and grammar as a part of their classical curriculum. Additionally, they use the Core Knowledge curriculum (designed by E.D. Hirsch) for teaching in-depth and chronological world history and American history and geography as well as studio art and music. They use Singapore Math as their math curriculum and as all students study Spanish, French, or Latin (depending on the school).[9]

At the prep school level (middle and high school), students are required to study literature and composition, humanities, laboratory sciences, and mathematics. Great Hearts only offers one common course of study, but students may select from language options including Spanish, French, Latin, and Greek, depending on the school.[10]

Great Hearts Academy graduates proceed immediately to college or university at a rate of 98 percent, with 51 percent pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses of study.[11] Great Hearts students achieve SAT scores that are 220 points higher than the national average.[12][13]

An overview of Great Hearts Academies curriculum from Kindergarten through 12th Grade

Extracurricular activities and community involvement

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Great Hearts Academies offers a wide range of extracurricular activities to complement the academic program, including athletics, fine arts, and various clubs.[14] Students are encouraged to participate in these programs to develop a well-rounded education and foster personal growth.

The organization also emphasizes the importance of community involvement and service. Students are encouraged to engage with their local communities, participating in service projects and volunteering opportunities to help develop character, leadership skills, and a strong sense of civic responsibility.[15]

Academic success

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Great Hearts Arizona has gained attention for its impressive academic performance. According to 2021–22 academic performance data from Arizona State Board of Education, Great Hearts Arizona ranks as the highest performing public school system in the Phoenix metro area. In the 2022 Arizona Academic Standards Assessments (AASA), Great Hearts Arizona's 22 schools collectively outperformed every other district and charter network in Phoenix with an aggregate rating of 88.9.[16]

In addition, Archway Classical Academy Lincoln, a Great Hearts school, was the highest ranked school in the state with a score of 104.47.[17]

In the 2021–22 school year, Great Hearts Texas was awarded an A-Grade from the Texas Education Agency.[18]

Great Hearts Arizona's decision to prioritize in-person learning during the COVID19 pandemic minimized learning loss and partly accounts for the outstanding academic results in the 2021–22 school year.[19]

Academies

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As of September 2024, Great Hearts Academies operates 47 schools across Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana, of which two are online charter academies. Great Hearts also operates a preschool - Young Hearts - in Arizona.[20] The following list provides the names of currently operating Great Hearts charter schools in each state:

Arizona

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1. Archway Classical Academy Anthem[21]

2. Archway Classical Academy Arete[22]

3. Archway Classical Academy Chandler[23]

4. Archway Classical Academy Cicero[24]

5. Archway Classical Academy Glendale[25]

6. Archway Classical Academy Lincoln[26]

7. Archway Classical Academy Maryvale[27]

8. Archway Classical Academy North Phoenix[28]

9. Archway Classical Academy Roosevelt[29]

10. Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale[30]

11. Archway Classical Academy Trivium[31]

12. Archway Classical Academy Veritas[32]

13. Anthem Preparatory Academy[33]

14. Arete Preparatory Academy[34]

15. Chandler Preparatory Academy[35]

16. Cicero Preparatory Academy[36]

17. Glendale Preparatory Academy[37]

18. Lincoln Preparatory Academy[38]

19. Maryvale Preparatory Academy[39]

20. North Phoenix Preparatory Academy[40]

21. Roosevelt Preparatory Academy[41]

22. Scottsdale Preparatory Academy[42]

23. Trivium Preparatory Academy[43]

24. Veritas Preparatory Academy[44]

25. Great Hearts Arizona Online[45]

Texas

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1. Great Hearts Arlington Lower School[46]

2. Great Hearts Arlington Upper School[47]

3. Great Hearts Forest Heights Lower School[48]

4. Great Hearts Forest Heights Upper School[49]

5. Great Hearts Invictus Lower School[50]

6. Great Hearts Invictus Upper School[51]

7. Great Hearts Irving Lower School[52]

8. Great Hearts Irving Upper School[53]

9. Great Hearts Lakeside Lower School[54]

10. Great Hearts Lakeside Upper School[55]

11. Great Hearts Live Oak Lower School[56]

12. Great Hearts Live Oak Upper School[57]

13. Great Hearts Monte Vista North[58]

14. Great Hearts Monte Vista South[59]

15. Great Hearts Northern Oaks Lower School[60]

16. Great Hearts Northern Oaks Upper School[61]

17. Great Hearts Prairie View Lower School[62]

18. Great Hearts Prairie View Upper School[63]

19. Great Hearts Western Hills Lower School[64]

20. Great Hearts Western Hills Upper School[65]

21. Great Hearts Texas Online[66]

Louisiana

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1. Great Hearts Harveston[67]

Impact and future plans

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Great Hearts Academies has gained national recognition for its success in providing a rigorous and well-rounded education.[68][69][70][71][72][73] The network's schools consistently rank highly in both state and national rankings, with a high percentage of students achieving top scores on standardized tests and gaining admission to prestigious colleges and universities.[74]

As the demand for high-quality education continues to grow, Great Hearts Academies plans to further expand its network in existing and new regions.[75][76] The organization remains committed to its mission of providing a transformative classical liberal arts education to students across the United States.

Controversies

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Policy on transgender students

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In June 2016, the Great Hearts corporate Board of Directors adopted a policy that requires their transgender students to align all school activities with their biological sex, rather than the student's gender identity.[77] The student's participation in extracurricular clubs, sports, and the use of facilities such as restrooms all must align with the sex of the student as printed on his or her birth certificate. This requirement extends further to Great Hearts' gendered hair cutting standards, school uniform requirements, "girls line/boys line" classroom management, and daily pronoun usage.[78]

Great Hearts' policy on transgender students is strongly opposed by local LGBT organizations and transgender advocates.[79] Opponents to the policy argue that Great Hearts has chosen to ignore clear guidance from the medical and psychological communities regarding how best to support their transgender student population.[80]

Great Hearts argues that, since the civil rights of the transgender population is not yet a matter of settled law in the United States, the Board of Directors will define school policy in line with current statutory guidance and use the birth certificate as the official document that defines a student's gender.[77]

Local reaction

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On April 25, 2017, the city council of Scottsdale, Arizona discussed whether to move forward with exploring a land agreement between the city and Great Hearts Academies to build an athletic complex near the community of DC Ranch. The City Council cited concerns they have before finalizing any agreement with Great Hearts, chief among them the Great Hearts policy on transgender students.[81][82]

The Arizona chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) issued a press release opposing the city's partnership with Great Hearts until the policy is replaced.[83] Great Hearts abandoned the land deal with the City of Scottsdale in favor of purchasing land adjacent to their already-established high school.[84]

Haircut standards

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In February 2018, Teleos Preparatory Academy in Phoenix, part of the Great Hearts charter school system, notified one of their students that his hairstyle did not conform to the school's policy standard. The child's family argued that he was targeted because he was not white.[85] Great Hearts responded with a statement reinforcing their policy of no braided hair on boys and that Great Hearts was "sorry to see this family leave the Teleos Prep community... we fully respect their decision to do so."[86]

The Arizona chapter of the ACLU together with Black Mothers Forum, a local advocacy organization, called on Great Hearts to eliminate their grooming standards.[87] Eight days later, Great Hearts offered to make a policy exception and readmit the family. The family refused.[88][89]

Homework assignment on slavery

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In April 2018, Great Hearts apologized after one of their teachers in Texas assigned homework in which students were to list the pros and cons of being a slave.[90] Social media spread the story of the homework assignment nationwide, sparking outrage.[91][92] In response, Great Hearts issued a statement condemning the homework assignment.[93][94]

Although the same homework assignment had been given in the past, the teacher who gave the assignment was reprimanded and briefly placed on leave.[94] He was reinstated after remedial training was complete.[95]

Response to the Black Lives Matter protests

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On September 5, 2020, an art teacher at Great Hearts Western Hills in San Antonio, Texas was terminated by Great Hearts for wearing a facemask that visibly said "Black Lives Matter" as a violation of the school's dress code policy.[96]

References

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  1. ^ "Great Hearts Academies". Great Hearts America. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  2. ^ "Great Hearts Academies". Great Hearts America. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  3. ^ Hess, Rick (2023-02-16). "A Charter Academy Delivering a 'Classical' Education Grows in Popularity". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  4. ^ Cló, Renata. "Great Hearts gears up to expand operations in Anthem, open 23rd Valley campus in Buckeye". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  5. ^ "Great Hearts Academies charter schools expand". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  6. ^ "Charter school to build fourth San Antonio campus". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  7. ^ "Great Hearts Academies". Great Hearts America. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  8. ^ "Reading List". Great Hearts America. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  9. ^ "Curriculum Overview". Great Hearts America. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  10. ^ "Curriculum Overview". Great Hearts America. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  11. ^ "Outcomes and Results". Great Hearts America. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  12. ^ "Outcomes and Results". Great Hearts America. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  13. ^ College Board. "SAT Program Results for the Class of 2023 Show Continued Growth in SAT Participation". College Board. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  14. ^ "Physical Education & Athletics". Great Hearts America. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  15. ^ "Great Hearts Philosophy". Great Hearts America. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  16. ^ "A-F School Letter Grades | Arizona State Board of Education". azsbe.az.gov. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  17. ^ Moore, Jason (2022-11-21). "Archway Lincoln Ranks #1". Great Hearts America. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  18. ^ Texas Education Agency (2023-12-05). "Texas School Report Cards | Great Hearts Texas". Texas School Report Cards | Great Hearts Texas.
  19. ^ Hess, Rick (2023-02-16). "A Charter Academy Delivering a 'Classical' Education Grows in Popularity". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  20. ^ "Young Hearts Preschool". Young Hearts - A Great Hearts Preschool in the Heart of Buckeye. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  21. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Anthem, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  22. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Arete, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  23. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Chandler, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  24. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Cicero, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  25. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Glendale, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  26. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Lincoln, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  27. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Maryvale Prep, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  28. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway North Phoenix, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  29. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Roosevelt - Serving Grades K-8. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  30. ^ "Home - Great Hearts Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale, Serving Grades K-5". Great Hearts Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  31. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Trivium, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  32. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Veritas, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  33. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Anthem, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  34. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Arete Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  35. ^ "Chandler Preparatory Academy". Great Hearts Chandler Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  36. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Cicero Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  37. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Glendale Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  38. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Lincoln Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  39. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Maryvale Prep, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  40. ^ "Home". Great Hearts North Phoenix Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  41. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Roosevelt - Serving Grades K-10th. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  42. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Scottsdale Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  43. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Trivium Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  44. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Veritas Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  45. ^ "School@Home with GREAT HEARTS ONLINE". Great Hearts. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  46. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Arlington. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
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  48. ^ "Great Hearts Forest Heights". Great Hearts Forest Heights, Serving Grades K-8. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  49. ^ "Great Hearts Forest Heights". Great Hearts Forest Heights, Serving Grades K-8. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  50. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Invictus – Accepting Applications for Grades K – 8 for the 2023 – 2024 School Year. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  51. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Invictus. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  52. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Irving, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  53. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Irving, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  54. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Lakeside, Serving Grades K-6. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  55. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Lakeside, Serving Grades K-9. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  56. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Live Oak, Serving Grades K-10. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  57. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Live Oak, Serving Grades K-10. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  58. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Monte Vista, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  59. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Monte Vista, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  60. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Northern Oaks, serving grades K-12. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  61. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Northern Oaks, serving grades K-12. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  62. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Prairie View, Expanding K-8. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  63. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Prairie View. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  64. ^ "Great Hearts Western Hills". Great Hearts Western Hills, Serving Grades K-9. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
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  75. ^ "Great academics coming to Greater Baton Rouge, sponsored by Take Note BR". [225]. 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
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  77. ^ a b "Great Hearts - Scottsdale Preparatory Academy - Family Handbook" (PDF). scottsdaleprep.greatheartsacademies.org.
  78. ^ "Transgender Student Says Arizona Great Hearts Academies' Policy Is Discriminatory". KJZZ. 2017-04-19. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  79. ^ "Great Hearts Transgender Policy". Great Hearts Transgender Policy. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  80. ^ Olson, Kristina R.; Durwood, Lily; DeMeules, Madeleine; McLaughlin, Katie A. (2016-02-26). "Mental Health of Transgender Children Who Are Supported in Their Identities". Pediatrics. 137 (3): peds.2015–3223. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-3223. ISSN 0031-4005. PMC 4771131. PMID 26921285.
  81. ^ "Scottsdale Councilwoman: Great Hearts Must Change Transgender Policy To Partner With City". KJZZ. 2017-04-27. Retrieved 2017-04-28.
  82. ^ "Scottsdale City Council approves initiation of DC Ranch park planning". Scottsdale Independent. 2017-04-26. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  83. ^ "ACLU of Arizona Urges Scottsdale to Refuse Park Partnership with Great Hearts Academies". ACLU of Arizona. 2017-04-19. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  84. ^ "Great Hearts Academies pulls out of controversial Scottsdale park plan". azcentral. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  85. ^ FOX. "Valley family says their son is being forced to leave his charter school, because of his hair braids". KSAZ. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  86. ^ Pelton, Mike (2018-02-02). "Mom pulls son out of school after he's told he violated dress code with braids". KNXV. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  87. ^ "ACLU of Arizona, Black Mothers Forum Call on Great Hearts Public Charter Schools to Eliminate Discriminatory Grooming Policies". ACLU of Arizona. 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  88. ^ FOX. "Charter school promises to revise hair policy, amidst controversy". KSAZ. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  89. ^ "Phoenix charter school apologizes after student with braids was sent home". azcentral. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  90. ^ Murphy, Paul P. "Homework assignment asks students to list positive aspects of slavery". CNN. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  91. ^ "Texas School Apologizes After Teacher Asks Students To Find The Positive Aspects Of Slavery". Essence.com. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  92. ^ "Texas school apologizes for asking students to list 'positive aspects' of slavery". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  93. ^ "Great Hearts Monte Vista". facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  94. ^ a b Radio, Camille Phillips, Texas Public. "San Antonio Teacher Placed On Leave After Assigning Students To List Benefits Of Slavery". Retrieved 2018-04-21.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  95. ^ "Great Hearts will reinstate San Antonio teacher who assigned 'positives' of slavery worksheet". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  96. ^ "Texas teacher loses job for wearing 'Black Lives Matter' mask". NBC News. 30 September 2020.
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