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Great Hearts Academies

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Formation2003; 22 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.[1]

Great Hearts Academies was founded in 2003. In the 2024–2025 school year, it enrolled 30,000 students.

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. Its academic orientation is to a classical liberal arts education. In the 2024–2025 school year, it included 47 charter schools in three states (Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana), and served 30,000 students.[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 educators in Phoenix, Arizona. The founding vision was of a network of public charter schools that offered a classical liberal arts education.[3]

Veritas Preparatory Academy, the first school in the network, opened in Phoenix in 2003.

Expansion

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Great Hearts Academies initially expanded in Arizona.[4][5] In 2011, Great Hearts Texas was founded. The first Texas campus, Great Hearts Monte Vista, opened in San Antonio in 2014.[6] As of September 2024, the Great Hearts network included 25 schools in Arizona, 21 in Texas, and one in Louisiana.[7]

Curriculum and educational philosophy

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The educational approach of Great Hearts is a classical liberal arts education. The curriculum focuses on a core reading list of Great Books called "Classics to Keep".[8]

The elementary schools in the Great Hearts network are referred to as Archway campuses; they teach phonics, spelling, handwriting, and grammar as a part of their classical curriculum. They use the Core Knowledge curriculum (designed by E.D. Hirsch) for teaching chronological world history and American history and geography as well as studio art and music. They use Singapore Math as their math curriculum. All students study a language, which, depending on the specific school, is either Spanish, French, or Latin.[9]

At the prep school level -- middle and high school -- students 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.[9]

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.[10] Great Hearts students achieve SAT scores that are 220 points higher than the national average.[11][12]

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

Extracurricular activities

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Great Hearts Academies offers extracurricular activities, including athletics, fine arts, and various clubs.[13] Students are encouraged to participate in these programs to develop a well-rounded education and foster personal growth.

Academics

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According to 2021–22 academic performance data from Arizona State Board of Education, Great Hearts Arizona ranked 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.[14]

Archway Classical Academy Lincoln, a Great Hearts school, was the highest ranked school in the state with a score of 104.47.[15]

In the 2021–22 school year, Great Hearts Texas was awarded an A-Grade from the Texas Education Agency.[16]

Analysis by Stanford University's CREDO program identified Great Hearts Academies as a large charter network having a positive impact on student achievement.[17]

Academies

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As of September 2024, Great Hearts Academies operated 47 schools across Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana. Two of these were online charter academies. Great Hearts also operates a preschool - Young Hearts - in Arizona.[18]

List of schools affiliated with Great Hearts

Arizona

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1. Archway Classical Academy Anthem[19]

2. Archway Classical Academy Arete[20]

3. Archway Classical Academy Chandler[21]

4. Archway Classical Academy Cicero[22]

5. Archway Classical Academy Glendale[23]

6. Archway Classical Academy Lincoln[24]

7. Archway Classical Academy Maryvale[25]

8. Archway Classical Academy North Phoenix[26]

9. Archway Classical Academy Roosevelt[27]

10. Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale[28]

11. Archway Classical Academy Trivium[29]

12. Archway Classical Academy Veritas[30]

13. Anthem Preparatory Academy[31]

14. Arete Preparatory Academy[32]

15. Chandler Preparatory Academy[33]

16. Cicero Preparatory Academy[34]

17. Glendale Preparatory Academy[35]

18. Lincoln Preparatory Academy[36]

19. Maryvale Preparatory Academy[37]

20. North Phoenix Preparatory Academy[38]

21. Roosevelt Preparatory Academy[39]

22. Scottsdale Preparatory Academy[40]

23. Trivium Preparatory Academy[41]

24. Veritas Preparatory Academy[42]

25. Great Hearts Arizona Online[43]

Texas

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1. Great Hearts Arlington Lower School[44]

2. Great Hearts Arlington Upper School[45]

3. Great Hearts Forest Heights Lower School[46]

4. Great Hearts Forest Heights Upper School[46]

5. Great Hearts Invictus Lower School[47]

6. Great Hearts Invictus Upper School[48]

7. Great Hearts Irving Lower School[49]

8. Great Hearts Irving Upper School[49]

9. Great Hearts Lakeside Lower School[50]

10. Great Hearts Lakeside Upper School[51]

11. Great Hearts Live Oak Lower School[52]

12. Great Hearts Live Oak Upper School[52]

13. Great Hearts Monte Vista North[53]

14. Great Hearts Monte Vista South[53]

15. Great Hearts Northern Oaks Lower School[54]

16. Great Hearts Northern Oaks Upper School[54]

17. Great Hearts Prairie View Lower School[55]

18. Great Hearts Prairie View Upper School[56]

19. Great Hearts Western Hills Lower School[57]

20. Great Hearts Western Hills Upper School[57]

21. Great Hearts Texas Online[58]

Louisiana

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1. Great Hearts Harveston[59]

Impact and plans

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Great Hearts Academies has gained national recognition for its educational successes.[3][60][61][62][63][64] 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.[65]

Great Hearts Academies plans to expand in existing and new regions.[66][62]

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.[67] 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.[68]

Great Hearts' policy on transgender students is strongly opposed by local LGBT organizations and transgender advocates.[69] 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.[70]

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.[67]

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.[71] 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."[72]

The Arizona chapter of the ACLU together with Black Mothers Forum, a local advocacy organization, called on Great Hearts to eliminate their grooming standards.[73] Eight days later, Great Hearts offered to make a policy exception and readmit the family. The family refused.[74][75]

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.[76] Social media spread the story of the homework assignment nationwide, sparking outrage.[77][78] In response, Great Hearts issued a statement condemning the homework assignment.[79][80]

Although the same homework assignment had been given in the past, the teacher who gave the assignment was reprimanded and briefly placed on leave.[80] He was reinstated after remedial training was complete.[81]

References

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  1. ^ "Great Hearts Academies". Great Hearts America. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  2. ^ "Great Hearts Academies". Great Hearts America. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Hess, Rick (February 16, 2023). "A Charter Academy Delivering a 'Classical' Education Grows in Popularity". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  4. ^ Cló, Renata. "Great Hearts gears up to expand operations in Anthem, open 23rd Valley campus in Buckeye". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  5. ^ "Great Hearts Academies charter schools expand". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  6. ^ "Charter school to build fourth San Antonio campus". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  7. ^ "Great Hearts Academies". Great Hearts America. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  8. ^ "Reading List". Great Hearts America. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Curriculum Overview". Great Hearts America. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  10. ^ "Outcomes and Results". Great Hearts America. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  11. ^ "Outcomes and Results". Great Hearts America. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  12. ^ College Board. "SAT Program Results for the Class of 2023 Show Continued Growth in SAT Participation". College Board. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  13. ^ "Physical Education & Athletics". Great Hearts America. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  14. ^ "A-F School Letter Grades". azsbe.az.gov. Archived from the original on August 5, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  15. ^ Moore, Jason (November 21, 2022). "Archway Lincoln Ranks #1". Great Hearts America. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  16. ^ Texas Education Agency (December 5, 2023). "Texas School Report Cards | Great Hearts Texas". Texas School Report Cards | Great Hearts Texas.
  17. ^ Barnum, Matt. "Who's helping and who's hurting? New national study looks at how charter networks measure up, from KIPP to K12". Chalkbeat.org. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  18. ^ "Young Hearts Preschool". Young Hearts - A Great Hearts Preschool in the Heart of Buckeye. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  19. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Anthem, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  20. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Arete, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  21. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Chandler, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  22. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Cicero, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  23. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Glendale, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  24. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Lincoln, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  25. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Maryvale Prep, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  26. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway North Phoenix, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  27. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Roosevelt - Serving Grades K-8. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  28. ^ "Home - Great Hearts Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale, Serving Grades K-5". Great Hearts Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  29. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Trivium, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  30. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Archway Veritas, Serving Grades K-5. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  31. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Anthem, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  32. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Arete Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  33. ^ "Chandler Preparatory Academy". Great Hearts Chandler Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  34. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Cicero Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  35. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Glendale Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  36. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Lincoln Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  37. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Maryvale Prep, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  38. ^ "Home". Great Hearts North Phoenix Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  39. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Roosevelt - Serving Grades K-10th. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  40. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Scottsdale Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  41. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Trivium Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  42. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Veritas Prep, Serving Grades 6-12. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  43. ^ "School@Home with GREAT HEARTS ONLINE". Great Hearts. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  44. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Arlington. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  45. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Arlington. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  46. ^ a b "Great Hearts Forest Heights". Great Hearts Forest Heights, Serving Grades K-8. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  47. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Invictus – Accepting Applications for Grades K – 8 for the 2023 – 2024 School Year. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  48. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Invictus. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  49. ^ a b "Home". Great Hearts Irving, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  50. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Lakeside, Serving Grades K-6. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  51. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Lakeside, Serving Grades K-9. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  52. ^ a b "Home". Great Hearts Live Oak, Serving Grades K-10. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  53. ^ a b "Home". Great Hearts Monte Vista, Serving Grades K-12. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  54. ^ a b "Home". Great Hearts Northern Oaks, serving grades K-12. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  55. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Prairie View, Expanding K-8. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  56. ^ "Home". Great Hearts Prairie View. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  57. ^ a b "Great Hearts Western Hills". Great Hearts Western Hills, Serving Grades K-9. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  58. ^ "GREAT HEARTS ONLINE Texas Academy". Great Hearts. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  59. ^ "Great Hearts Harveston". Harveston - Great Hearts. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  60. ^ "Great Hearts, Great Minds". City Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  61. ^ "The Renaissance of the Classical School | James Hankins". First Things. April 26, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  62. ^ a b Mahnken, Kevin (March 22, 2023). "Classical Academies: What if Education's Next Big Thing is 2,500 Years Old?". Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  63. ^ "Inside the New Wave of Old-School Education". www.thefp.com/. March 24, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  64. ^ "The Unbearable Bleakness of American Schooling". Commentary Magazine. February 8, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  65. ^ "2023 Best High Schools in the Phoenix Area". Niche. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  66. ^ "Great academics coming to Greater Baton Rouge, sponsored by Take Note BR". [225]. March 14, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  67. ^ a b "Great Hearts - Scottsdale Preparatory Academy - Family Handbook" (PDF). scottsdaleprep.greatheartsacademies.org.
  68. ^ "Transgender Student Says Arizona Great Hearts Academies' Policy Is Discriminatory". KJZZ. April 19, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  69. ^ "Great Hearts Transgender Policy". Great Hearts Transgender Policy. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  70. ^ Olson, Kristina R.; Durwood, Lily; DeMeules, Madeleine; McLaughlin, Katie A. (February 26, 2016). "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.
  71. ^ FOX. "Valley family says their son is being forced to leave his charter school, because of his hair braids". KSAZ. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  72. ^ Pelton, Mike (February 2, 2018). "Mom pulls son out of school after he's told he violated dress code with braids". KNXV. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  73. ^ "ACLU of Arizona, Black Mothers Forum Call on Great Hearts Public Charter Schools to Eliminate Discriminatory Grooming Policies". ACLU of Arizona. February 6, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  74. ^ FOX. "Charter school promises to revise hair policy, amidst controversy". KSAZ. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  75. ^ "Phoenix charter school apologizes after student with braids was sent home". azcentral. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  76. ^ Murphy, Paul P. "Homework assignment asks students to list positive aspects of slavery". CNN. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  77. ^ "Texas School Apologizes After Teacher Asks Students To Find The Positive Aspects Of Slavery". Essence.com. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  78. ^ "Texas school apologizes for asking students to list 'positive aspects' of slavery". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  79. ^ "Great Hearts Monte Vista". facebook.com. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  80. ^ a b Radio, Camille Phillips, Texas Public. "San Antonio Teacher Placed On Leave After Assigning Students To List Benefits Of Slavery". Retrieved April 21, 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  81. ^ "Great Hearts will reinstate San Antonio teacher who assigned 'positives' of slavery worksheet". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
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