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In ancient Greek mythology, Sisyphus was given the eternal task of rolling a huge boulder up the side of a mountain, aiming for the top, but the boulder would always roll back down again before he got there. This is a bit like teaching in the public schools in Arizona today. Teachers have high hopes for their students, but are up against a mountain of challenges. 

With issues like teacher shortages, school funding and budgetary concerns, lack of administrative support, and the pressure to pull up Arizona’s national school ranking, teachers are suffering. Teacher turnover, burnout, low pay, and job dissatisfaction result from trying to provide their scholars a good education despite these issues.

A healthy future for Arizona’s education depends upon resolving the many challenges it faces. In order to better understand the boulder that Arizona’s public schools face, this blog will describe the problems as well as offer an alternative solution for your children’s education. 

The Teacher Turnover Crisis in Arizona

In January of 2023, there were 2,890 unfilled teacher vacancies in Arizona. This is 25% of all teaching positions. In addition, 45% of the filled positions were taken by teachers who had not met standard teacher certification requirements. Approximately 13% of teachers planned to leave the teaching profession in the state in 2023, compared to the national 8% of planned departures. 

Why are so many teachers leaving the profession? With fewer teachers to fill positions, they end up with larger classes. Large classes create a setting wherein scholars receive less attention and support in their learning. Poor class behavior escalates, and with a lack of administrative support, managing classroom discipline is exhausting and concerning. 

With the many challenges teachers are facing, they are stressed and burned out. Increased expectations, high emotional demands, and unmanageable workloads are all causes for teachers leaving the profession.

Unfortunately, the impact of teacher turnovers are felt most by their scholars. The ripple effects of teachers leaving are experienced with the loss of instruction continuity, slower academic 

progress, and at times, teachers are replaced with less experienced teachers. Furthermore, when scholars have to begin a new teacher-scholar relationship all over again, stability and support for them suffers. This leads to low morale and motivation. 

Likewise, a high teacher turnover places strain on the rest of the teaching staff, which also contributes to low morale. It’s difficult for teachers to embrace a shared vision for the school and a positive learning environment when there are so many leaving. 

The Causes of Teacher Burnout

A state of chronic stress and exhaustion, with feelings of cynicism, detachment and reduced accomplishment, is the boulder many teachers are trying to roll uphill in today’s classrooms. They spend long hours planning, grading, and performing administrative tasks outside of the classroom. During class time, they work with large numbers of students, attempting to meet all their needs. 

In addition, many teachers are given non-teaching responsibilities in school, such as monitoring the playground or cafeteria, bus duty, and staff meetings. 

To add to the problem, today’s teachers often feel micromanaged and constrained by a rigid curriculum, pressures over standardized testing, and a limited input in school decisions. With a lack of sufficient administrative support, teachers believe they’re unsupported, especially in disciplinary situations.

It is because of these reasons, along with low pay and lack of recognition, that educators are leaving the teaching profession in droves.

Disaffection With Traditional Public Schooling

In today’s educational circles, we hear many voices telling us to “differentiate our teaching material” so scholars with different learning styles or disabilities are able to succeed. However, realistically, that’s not always possible in traditional schools because teachers are expected to adhere to predetermined lesson plans and must follow strict timelines. There simply isn’t enough time in a class for them to use innovative or creative approaches for scholars with unique needs. 

Additionally, teachers are often expected to prepare their scholars for standardized testing by “teaching to the test”. By focusing on test content at the expense of discovery learning and deeper exploration into subject matters, test preparation takes priority over critical thinking development. Also, subjects that are not covered on standardized tests, such as humanities and arts, are neglected altogether. 

This adhesion to strict teaching expectations wears upon teachers’ sense of autonomy and creativity, leading to increased job dissatisfaction. It also leaves scholars with a lack of motivation and inspiration. 

Furthermore, research tells us that most traditional public school teachers feel excluded from critical decisions regarding curriculum, instructional methods, and school policies. This results in low teacher morale and job satisfaction. A report by the American Institutes for Research illustrates that teachers in this situation endure a diminished sense of professional efficacy. 

Such contrasting pressures; to differentiate teaching, and “teach to the test” put a heavy load upon teachers’ shoulders, while at the same time clipping their sense of autonomy and their desire to be creative.

How Charter Schools Are Offering a Better Alternative

Now that we have looked at the problems in the traditional school setting, let’s turn toward a different setting, one that provides a solution to teaching with those challenges.

Charter schools are tuition-free public schools too, but they have a tremendous amount of flexibility in the way they approach education. 

Unlike traditional schools, charter schools’ curricula are not as limited as traditional schools are because they operate independently with their own governing boards. Even though they must meet performance goals, they are free to determine their teaching methodology. As such, they are more able to meet the individualized needs of their scholars. 

Charter school leaders don’t have to navigate as much red tape when making educational decisions; thus, these schools contain a variety of teaching styles. No doubt you’ll find charter schools that match your child’s particular needs and desires. 

In addition, most charter schools offer programs for professional growth as well as coaching and mentoring for teachers. For example, Classical Charter Schools allow teachers to select professional development that aligns with their personal growth goals. Others recognize that by empowering teachers in decision-making processes, they gain a sense of autonomy and input. 

The Leman Academy of Excellence teaches via the Classical Education model. Structured learning with the Trivium fosters deep understanding and critical thinking skills, as well as an emphasis on character education. Students are encouraged to explore ideas deeply and develop a lifelong love for learning.

Why Teachers Are Moving to Charter Schools

For nearly a decade, a traditional high school English teacher, Jennifer M., taught a subject she was passionate about — literature. She enjoyed her scholars and sharing her joy of literature, but after several years, she began to feel overloaded. She was spending more time filling out paperwork and preparing her scholars for standardized tests than actually teaching. She taught large classes, with as many as 36 scholars in one of them. Between the large classes and her administrative duties, she lost personal connections with her scholars. A friend of hers suggested she look into charter school teaching.

“It was like someone lit a match inside me,” Jennifer said after she began working in a charter school. She now teaches in an interdisciplinary humanities program where her scholars co-design projects with her. She has rediscovered the joy of teaching. 

Many traditional school teachers are rewarded with a positive change after making the leap from traditional to charter schools:

“Working at a charter school has pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. I have access to a high-quality curriculum, strong mentorship, and a team that collaborates.   

I feel like my ideas matter here, and that’s incredibly empowering.”

Dana K., a charter school teacher in Washington, D.C., says, “I immediately felt the difference. There’s an energy here — a belief that all kids can and will succeed.”

The Leman Academy of Excellence, by offering competitive compensation and recognition through its Royal Teachers Fund, provides salary supplements, rewards, and professional education opportunities. In the 2023-24 school year, Leman Academy distributed $340,000 in bonus compensation across all eight campuses. If you live in Arizona or Colorado, the Leman Academy’s K-8 schools of Classical Education may be a perfect fit for your children. 

Likewise, teachers at the Leman Academy enjoy meaningful instruction and a collaborative atmosphere where they’re encouraged to pursue advanced degrees and professional growth.

Conclusion

Traditional public schools are drowning their teachers’ energy levels and stretching their resources too thin. As a result, we’re seeing a quarter of today’s teachers leaving the profession because they can no longer work in such conditions.

When the teaching staff believes they have a voice, are well-compensated, have a reasonable workload, and have the opportunity to include innovative and creative ideas in their teaching, then they’re able to teach at their best. More educational opportunity pours into your child’s classroom when his or her teacher feels they’re supported and recognized. Such a balance can be found in many of Arizona’s charter schools.

Explore Charter School Options Like the Leman Academy of Excellence, and Find Teachers Who are at Their Best!

It isn’t a stick that breaks the camel’s back. It’s a stick that lands on top of a pile of branches that the normally strong beast can carry. But that extra stick just makes it too much. The camel refuses to budge at this point. 

Many teachers in today’s schools deal with carrying too much weight as well. Teacher burnout, low pay, lack of administrative support, and growing job demands make teachers want to stop and refuse to budge. They often transfer to different schools, quit, or retire. 

Keeping good teachers is a high priority among school boards and administrations. Retaining them contributes to a stable learning environment, enriches the growth of relationships with scholars, and benefits both by giving teachers time to refine their instructional strategies.

According to a study by Education Resource Strategies, 23% of U.S. teachers departed from their schools during the 2022-23 school year. Schools with the highest concentrations of low-income families experience as much as 29% teacher departure in the same school year.   

These statistics refer to traditional public school teachers. But what about charter schools? Do they have a high teacher turnover? Charter schools have much more flexibility than district schools and do a great deal to mitigate a high teacher turnover rate. Let’s take a look at how charter schools can help with this issue. We’ll examine:

• The impact of teacher turnover on scholars
• Why teachers are leaving the profession
• How charter schools can help reduce teacher turnover

The Impact of Teacher Turnover on Scholars

The relationship between a teacher and a scholar is an emotionally charged dynamic. The teacher desires that scholars perform to their potential, i.e., doing their best to learn what’s being taught. 

Scholars, on the other hand, desire to please their teachers and to receive attention and praise from them. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology says that teacher-child relationships are a “critical influence” on children’s adaptation to and success in school. 

When teachers with this kind of scholarly attachment leave the profession, it creates a disruption within the learning community’s stability. Scholars then must begin to forge new relationships with teachers they don’t yet know. 

When a child’s classroom teacher is someone they don’t know, their motivation takes a downturn with the initial uncertainty. Scholars aren’t yet familiar with the new teacher’s style and expectations. Over time, as scholars and their new teacher get to know each other, motivation increases. 

Why Teachers Are Leaving the Profession

The final stick on the camel’s back isn’t just a twig; it’s a hefty, elephantine mass of wood. In other words, the increasing demands placed on educators are tremendous. Teachers are burning out on the combined responsibilities of lesson planning, teaching the lessons, grading, administrative tasks, addressing diverse scholar needs, adapting classroom activity to new learning technology, and spending time in meetings with school staff.  

Teachers deal with large class sizes, disruptive behavior, and the stress of bridging student learning gaps that have developed since the COVID-19 era. 

In addition, teachers earn significantly less compensation than other professionals with similar education levels. On average, teachers are paid 26.4% less annually. 

Teachers have to make do with insufficient resources, outdated materials, and inadequate administrative support, which leaves them feeling unappreciated. 

Scholars embroiled with problems at home often leave teachers in the position of being a social worker or counselor when the teacher doesn’t have adequate skills or background to help them. 

And finally, most public school teachers are paid on a scale depending on their college-level degrees and the number of years they have taught. Such a scale does not provide opportunities for teachers to earn more compensation. They simply have to put in the time. 

All of the above reasons, combined, lead to a declining morale. Along with public distrust in education and politicizing education, 82% of public school teachers say the state of education has worsened in recent years. 

How Charter Schools Can Help Reduce Teacher Turnover

Charter schools can help mitigate high teacher departures in our schools by offering:

• Higher salaries and performance-based pay. Some charter networks offer competitive compensation or performance-based incentives to retain their teachers.
• Stronger professional development: Many charter schools invest in ongoing training, coaching, and mentorship programs to help teachers grow in their careers.
• Reduced bureaucracy: Since charter schools operate more flexibly than traditional public schools, they can implement innovative policies that improve work-life balance, such as adjusted schedules or smaller class sizes. 
• Retention bonuses and loan forgiveness: Some schools offer financial incentives, such as signing bonuses, retention stipends, or student loan forgiveness programs, to encourage educators to remain in their roles. 
• Targeted hiring and school fit: Charter schools often focus on hiring teachers who align with their missions and school culture, leading to better job satisfaction and longevity. 
• Smaller classes and parent involvement: Charter schools usually have fewer scholars in a class than traditional schools; thus, teachers can provide adequate attention to their scholars. Parents are viewed as partners in their children’s education. 

Conclusion

Like one domino falling and leading to a cascading effect on all, when teachers burn out and leave the education field, it affects the teachers’ scholars and their families as well. 

The Leman Academy of Excellence, a K-8 classical education charter school with campuses in Arizona and Colorado, works hard to retain good teachers. They offer a competitive benefits package and compensation that matches teachers’ talent, experience, and education. In addition, they encourage their teachers to pursue advanced degrees in the education field. 

The Leman Academy also encourages parents to explore how their approach benefits both its scholars as well as teachers. Find out more about the Leman Academy here. 

Plan a Visit and Discover the High-Quality Educators That Teach at the Leman Academy of Excellence.

The advancement of technology has sprinted over the last decade, and along with it, the opportunity for virtual learning has risen dramatically. In this setting, scholars learn at their own pace and create their own study schedules. With an abundance of resources online, plus the ability to customize education for scholars with special needs, online schooling is the perfect choice for some families. 

If this is a perfect fit for your family, you’re not alone. In 2019, approximately 293,700 scholars in the U.S. were enrolled full-time in online schools. By 2023, that number rose to approximately 954,000.  

To consider an online education for your child, look into:

• The schools’ curricula and whether it meets state standards
• How teachers interact with their students online
• How scholars’ progress is monitored 
• What technology is required
• Whether your child will interact with peers
• Cost and financial considerations

The Leman Academy of Excellence offers its education for virtual schooling with the Leman Virtual Academy. For K-8 scholars in Arizona, this is a tuition-free classical education in a virtual setting. Students may attend Leman Virtual Academy from anywhere in the state. By giving scholars flexible schedules, the Academy allows them to maintain strong family relationships. In addition, scholars are permitted to attend on-campus events and participate in Leman’s athletic and extracurricular activities. 

The Benefits and Challenges of Virtual Schooling  

When children are enrolled in online schooling, they learn from home using their personal computer or laptop with internet access. At Leman Virtual Academy, students attend live, teacher-led lessons, allowing them to interact in real-time with their instructors and classmates. Unlike some programs that rely on prerecorded content, our lessons are not prerecorded. While there are many benefits to this type of instruction, there can be challenges as well. Let’s review both so you’re familiar with what to expect. 

Learning from home enables a more comfortable environment for the scholar. With fewer distractions and no dress code to abide by, scholars are free to work at their own pace and can address issues like using the restroom, eating, and drinking, without having to disrupt the class. 

This is a great choice for children who experience anxiety and stress related to school, or those who have health issues or disabilities, in which their home environment is the best fit. 

Keep in mind that there are challenges with learning from home. For example, the lack of social interaction may make the scholar feel isolated. There may be fewer opportunities to collaborate with others on school projects, and hands-on learning may not be feasible for virtual scholars. 

Parents must oversee their children’s time management to avoid procrastination and falling behind. Without the structure of the school environment, children may find it difficult to remain engaged. 

Scholars may also miss receiving immediate attention or help from the teacher if they don’t understand something. Such a lack of personal interaction may make it difficult for them to build relationships with their teachers. 

Likewise, teachers may find it harder to gauge understanding without in-person cues. Monitoring the scholar remotely can make it difficult for teachers to track their progress. 

For some children, the virtual schooling option is a perfect fit, one we wouldn’t have without today’s technology. But if you’re comparing this option to other education choices, it’s wise to consider all the benefits as well as all the challenges. 

Five Key Factors to Consider

Consider these five aspects when making the choice to have your child schooled virtually:

1. Your child’s learning style: Does your child thrive in independent, self-paced environments? How would virtual schooling support your child’s learning needs?

2. Level of parental involvement: How much support and supervision will be needed? What would be your role in your child’s online learning?
3. Socialization and extracurricular activities: How will your child stay involved with clubs, sports and other extracurricular activities? Does the virtual school have a brick-and-mortar component with opportunities for virtual scholars to become socially involved?
4. Curriculum and academic rigor: Evaluate whether the virtual school has a challenging and well-rounded education that meets your child’s needs.  

The Leman Virtual Academy is the virtual component of the physical Leman Academy school; thus, virtual scholars can engage physically with other Leman scholars. Leman’s Classical Education approach offers a structured curriculum for both versions of the school by engaging scholars in the rigorous Grammar and Logic studies of the Trivium. 

5. Technology and learning environment: With virtual schooling, your child will enjoy a setting that’s free of distraction and disruption. Scholars who need help focusing on their learning material will thrive in a quiet, comfortable environment.

Making sure the virtual experience runs smoothly, consider the technology required, and ensure that you have a reliable internet access connection. 

Conclusion

With the technology we enjoy today, there are so many choices of schooling available. If you’re thinking about having your children learn via virtual schooling, remember to consider their learning styles and self-management abilities. Realize that you will be more involved with your child’s day-to-day learning, and look for ways for your child to socialize. Perhaps the virtual schooling program enables scholars to collaborate or discuss with other scholars. 

Become knowledgeable about the virtual school’s curricula offering, and determine the level of challenge it presents to your child. You’ll also want to create a learning environment at home for your child that’s free of distractions and has all the technology needs met for smooth learning. 

Bearing all this in mind, look at how well Leman’s Virtual Academy does in teaching its scholars remotely. With its tuition-free, rigorous program of Classical Education, Leman allows its virtual scholars to develop relationships with teachers and classmates. Flexibility with schedules and meeting family needs are also top priorities at Leman. 

Learn More or Enroll in Leman Academy’s Virtual Learning Program!

The Martins held a backyard barbecue for friends in the village. You were invited along with your family. You baked two of your award-winning cherry pies to contribute to the meal. When you got there, you found yourself having a great time until it was time to eat. Mr. Martin announced that there were two serving lines. One line had barbecue ribs, chicken, and hamburgers. The other line had egg salad sandwiches. Mr. Martin began assigning his guests to one of the two lines. Puzzled over this development, you were then incensed when he said you and your family had to buffet at the egg salad table. You weren’t allowed to have ribs or chicken. 

Why would we be upset over the backyard barbecue scenario, but nonchalant about kids who go to wealthy schools with the latest technology vs. kids who go to schools with outdated textbooks, large classes, and no technology?

Equitable education is something most teachers, school boards, parents, and politicians want for their scholars, but the way our educational system is set up, it’s difficult to achieve. If the quality of education in public schools were equitable, then all scholars would have access to the same resources, the same quality of teaching, and an equal share of materials in their classrooms. 

Unlike traditional schools, charter schools can alleviate the disparities between wealthy and poor scholars’ access to a quality education.  Schools like the Leman Academy of Excellence, K-8 classical education schools in Arizona and Colorado, are able to provide equal access to a top-notch education for all their scholars. 

In this blog, we’ll explore why these differences exist and how charter schools like the Leman Academy are designed to provide a high-quality education for all their scholars. We’ll discover:

• The challenges of achieving equity in traditional public schools
• How charter schools provide more equitable education
• How charter schools support a more diverse scholar population

The Challenges of Achieving Equity in Traditional Public Schools

Achieving equity in traditional public schools is like trying to toss a ring over a bottle in a carnival game — it’s unrealistic due to the way it’s set up. This is because the national average of financial support for traditional schools from property taxes is 33.9%. In some states, the contribution of property taxes is as high as 60%. What this means for schools is that those in wealthier neighborhoods receive a much bigger piece of the pie than those in lower-income neighborhoods. 

How does this affect schools in lower-income districts? Schools with a tiny slice of the pie cannot purchase textbooks, technology and other teaching materials. They have larger class sizes to cut down on expenditures for more teachers. Larger class sizes lead to more frequent disruptions due to scholars’ needs and inappropriate behavior. Teachers are not able to diversify their teaching for scholars with special needs. Overall, the quality of education in poorer schools is deficient and inadequate. 

In addition, curricula supported by states, whether it’s Common Core or some other national state approved curriculum, are a one-size-fits-all sequence of instructions. The educational community today recognizes the need to differentiate teaching in order to reach students with a variety of needs and learning styles. Some children are autistic, some have ADHD, some have large learning gaps that need to be addressed, and two-thirds of our students are unable to read at a proficient level. 

In today’s colleges and universities, professors are frustrated over the high number of scholars who enter college with a significant lack of academic preparedness. 

Scholars who graduate high school with a low scholastic performance record will struggle to be accepted into colleges and places of employment. 

How Charter Schools Provide More Equitable Education

Charter schools have more freedom and flexibility than traditional public schools because they operate under a charter, which is a contract with the state’s education board for charter schools. In exchange for accountability, the state grants them autonomy to operate their school as they deem fit. Such flexibility allows charter schools to accommodate their instruction to their scholars’ needs. This is done through:

• Their curriculum: Charter schools design specialized curricula that align with their educational philosophy or teaching methodology
• Personalized learning: They can implement individualized instruction, competency-based education, or project-based learning to tailor instruction to the needs of their scholars
• Teacher autonomy: Educators have more freedom to use creative teaching methods
• Longer or flexible school days: Charter schools can adjust their schedules 
• Smaller class sizes: Teachers can provide more personalized attention in smaller groups
• Support services: Charter schools may offer programs for scholars with dyslexia, autism, or other learning needs using targeted interventions and innovative approaches. 

Charter schools, each with their unique mission, maintain a strong academic culture for all their scholars. They emphasize challenging curricula and expect their scholars to reach high academic standards. Unlike traditional schools, charter schools must meet specific performance benchmarks to retain their charters. 

Many charter high schools are college preparatory; they include AP classes, mentorships, and partnerships with local colleges where scholars can receive dual high school and college credits. Such opportunities aren’t always available in traditional schools. 

The Leman Academy of Excellence is a classical education charter school that fosters deeper learning and critical thinking. With studies that emphasize philosophy, history, and logic, classical education is an approach that relates equally to all its scholars.

Supporting Diverse Student Populations

In most states, your child is assigned to a local district public school with other students from your neighborhood. Usually, children of the same demographics attend the same schools; e.g., if you’re from a middle-class neighborhood, most of your child’s classmates will also be middle-class. 

This is not the case with charter schools; they remove the geographic barriers, which results in a more diversified student body. Scholars attend charter schools from a wider area, and the student body is a mix of low and high-income families as well as children from different racial and cultural backgrounds. Some scholars in charter schools come from homes that speak a different language than English. Some have Christian backgrounds, some are Muslims, and some have no religious affiliation. Add to this mix of scholars with diverse learning needs. So, how do these schools address such diversification?

Charter schools have much more flexibility in their curricula and teaching methods, which allows them to diversify their teaching to match scholars’ abilities and needs. For example, some have a hands-on learning approach, such as a STEM education. Others have dyslexia-friendly approaches and additional help for scholars who are behind in reading. Co-teaching models, where a classroom teacher is paired with a special education teacher for collaborative teaching, also help scholars with special needs. 

As a parent, when you’re given a voice on how your children are taught, the outcome is a better fit for your child. If your child has a particular learning style or special need, you may want to look into the charter schools in your area.

Conclusion

Charter schools, by removing geographical barriers and utilizing flexibility in their curricula and teaching methods, are better suited to address the inequities in education than district schools. 

If you’re looking for a well-rounded, equitable learning experience for your children, discover the outstanding benefits of a classical education offered at the Leman Academy of Excellence.  

Enroll your children in a charter school that prioritizes excellence for all!

Education today is more personalized than in the past. As society changes, the means and methods of educating society’s children likewise change. In Arizona today, parents find schools with vastly different teaching methods due to demographic changes, increased digital literacy, and the growing need for more personalized environments. 

Traditional public school districts, 261 of Arizona’s most widely attended schools, consist of elementary, secondary, unified, and career technical schools. Arizona is quickly approaching an enrollment of 1 million traditional school scholars. Other choices include charter schools, private schools, virtual schooling, microschooling, and homeschooling. 

As you look into tuition-free charter schools, you’ll likely be surprised to know that there are 570 of them in the state, with approximately 231,700 scholars attending. Furthermore, each charter school utilizes a special teaching focus. Some have curricula that emphasize college prep, others focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), and others utilize a teaching approach following the Montessori method. But one teaching method, used in Western civilization until the late 19th century, is making a comeback — the classical education method. 

What is Classical Education?

For over 2,000 years, Classical Education was the basis for the rise of what became European culture. It began in Greece circa 400 BC with Aristotle as one of its first teachers using the Trivium. He taught the sons of Greek aristocrats to become virtuous leaders. However, beginning in the mid-19th century, the Classical model was abandoned for the Progressive model. Evolving into an education that steered scholars toward careers, this model of education became less about learning, and more about passing tests to move up in school and onto graduation. 

In the 1970s, Mortimer Adler, a professor at the University of Chicago, realized the classical model needed to be brought back to the schools. Poor test scores convinced many that changes in our education system needed to be made. With pressure for scholars to pass tests, teachers began “teaching to the test”, and leaving behind the critical thinking skills involved in making discoveries and evaluating educational concepts. 

Unique to classical education is the Trivium. As the focal point of classical learning, the Trivium divides learning into three stages: the Grammar Stage for scholars in grades 1-6, the Logic Stage that coincides with middle school ages, and the Rhetoric Stage for scholars in high school. 

Classical learning teaches scholars to move beyond the memorization of facts into how facts compare and contrast, how to analyze and synthesize them, how to categorize them, how to evaluate them, and how to create new ideas using them. 

Classical education is focused on “the art of learning” whereas traditional education is focused on “teaching to the test”. Classical education teaches students to think thoroughly and independently — not just to memorize information for a test.

The Place for Classical Education in Arizona’s Charter School Curriculum

How is it possible that charter schools can provide such diverse approaches to education?

Arizona’s charter schools are not bound by the state’s district school regulations. This allows them to develop and implement innovative curricula, centered on a specific focus, and utilizes teaching methods that are not found in traditional schools.

Frustrated with teaching standards that are used in traditional public schools, such as Common Core Standards, which employs a “one size fits all” approach, parents are looking for diverse teaching content and methods that fit their children’s individual needs. 

Parents became more aware of what their children’s schools were teaching during the Covid period when schools were closed. Parents at home monitored their children’s work during virtual learning and discovered that their children’s education only taught what to learn, but didn’t teach them how to learn. 

On the other hand, classical education provides a greater in-depth examination of learning material. Scholars of this method explore relationships of the concepts being taught and apply more critical thinking.

Does the curriculum of classical education align with Arizona’s state standards?

Yes, the curricula of classical education includes the core subjects of mathematics, reading, science, and social studies. Thus, the subjects that are required to be taught are covered in a classical education school. Differences in the teaching of core subjects don’t lie in what is being taught, but how.

Benefits of a Classical Charter School Curriculum

Traditional learning emphasizes the memorization of facts for scholars to pass tests. Passing tests leads to grade-level promotion until the scholar graduates from school. With a diploma, the graduate seeks a job. 

Contrast that with classical learning, which also memorizes facts, but it doesn’t stop there. It takes the facts and compares them, analyzes them, and thoroughly evaluates them with critical thinking. In other words, the classical approach teaches scholars how to learn new material. Its objective isn’t leading to a diploma and job so much as teaching scholars how to think thoroughly and logically. Let’s discover what scholars of classical education do. 

First, they read the great writings of The Odyssey, The Iliad, Shakespeare, Dante, Tolstoy, Plato, Augustine, Herodotus, Dostoevsky, and many others, in which they delve into history, the state of mankind, and events that changed the world. 

Why is it important to read the classics?

Because thinking logically about the events going on around us today requires an understanding of the humanities. Knowing what has happened in history, what people had to say about their conditions, and what led up to revolutionary events, are all key to knowing and understanding ourselves. We do not live in isolation from history. Classical education provides the foundation of history to support the logical thinking of today’s current affairs.

Next, the art of composition, the act of writing one’s knowledge and thoughts, requires excellent organization and editing skills, and the ability to express oneself clearly. Most of all, for scholars, it gives them the exercise of professing their beliefs and understandings about their topic. The burden of logical thinking requires scholars to sequence their thoughts, refer to research to substantiate their claims, and practice the rhetoric of leading their readers to particular conclusions.

In addition, through Socratic discussions, scholars learn about character and moral issues. They learn that people all have the same basic needs. The term “Socratic” refers to the ancient Greek philosopher and teacher, Socrates, who asked questions to promote discussion. The human condition, with its emotions, intelligences, virtues, passions, and sense of morality provides significant fodder for discussion.

With classical education’s emphasis on logic, rhetoric, and studies of humanities, scholars are highly prepared for college and adult life. Having a strong foundation in how to think logically, what motivates people, and a personal set of virtues developed from years of reading and discussion, scholars are prepared to become great leaders and to actively engage in their communities and workplaces.

How Leman Academy Implements Classical Education

As you explore school options for your children, look into The Leman Academy of Excellence, for grades K-8, with schools in both Arizona and Colorado. Here you will find a curriculum of intriguing classical subjects such as reading and recitation, Saxon math, Spanish, science, Latin, history, cursive, geography, debate, art, music, and physical education. 

You will find that at Leman Academy, Classical education teaches its scholars the significance of a strong foundation. When it comes to rhetorical communication, e.g., persuasive or evaluative speeches and writings, classical scholars understand their ideas must be backed up with reliable sources. Using first-hand information; for example, a writing of Plato’s; historical literature such as 1984 by George Orwell; or historical texts such as the writings of the apostle Paul, are essential to supporting their views. Hence, the reading of classical literature, in-depth study of history, and much discussion are central to classical scholars’ learning.

The Leman Academy of Excellence prepares its scholars for lifelong learning with the belief that your children will gain success by gaining knowledge, building character, and developing strong values. 

The Future of Classical Education in Arizona’s Schools

Since the pandemic, hundreds of new classical schools have opened in the nation and it’s predicted that this rise will continue. Classical learning is increasingly becoming the choice for parents with its study of Western civilization and its emphasis on character development. 

An analysis by Arcadia Education projected that by 2035, there will be more than 1.4 million classical learning scholars in the country. Today, classical education is growing annually by 5%, but Arcadia predicts this will rise to 7% over the next decade. 

The trend to classical education is moving so quickly, that some schools are having trouble finding classically-trained teachers to staff them. Some institutions of higher learning have begun offering degrees in classical education. Benedictine College offers a master’s program in classical education, to equip teachers and headmasters with the educational background needed to work in these schools.

Preparing teachers to teach the classical method is imperative. According to The Institute of Education Sciences, the factors that most influenced school choice for parents were the quality of teachers, principals, and staff, safety, and the curriculum focus.

How can classical education address the current challenges in K-12 education today?

The greatest challenges in traditional education today are low scores in math and reading, and the rise of mental illness, absenteeism, and bullying. With budget cuts, schools are strained more than ever to provide resources for their scholars. 

However, classical education allows for a great deal more flexibility than in traditional schools. They’re able to meet scholars’ needs by differentiating learning materials to match their learning styles. With smaller class sizes, they’re also better able to work closely with their scholars and manage student behavior. 

A National Symposium for Classical Education in Tempe, Arizona in February of 2025 explored topics that reach into the future landscape of classical education. Among them are extending the classical method into institutes of higher learning through partnerships, delivering the promises behind the Science of Reading, examining the evidence base for classical education, and developing leaders for the future.

Conclusion

With its in-depth focus on humanities and teaching scholars how to learn, classical education is increasing as a school choice for scholars in all states. Thus, as the number one state for school choice, Arizona leads the way. The popularity of classical education is driven by a wholesome desire to return to a method that has worked well for thousands of years and delivered us some of our country’s greatest leaders.
If you wish to explore how the classical method benefits your child, discover the Leman Academy of Excellence. Teaching grades K-8 and encompassing the grammar and logic stages of the Trivium, Leman Academy will prepare your child to think independently and critically, to continue classical learning in high school at the rhetoric stage, and be a lifelong learner.

Arizona is a leader. It leads the country in school choice for scholars in kindergarten through high school. As home to a culturally and linguistically diverse population, Arizona’s school choice provides its citizens with a variety of school settings, each with its distinct curricula and teaching methods. 

School choice policy began in small steps; first, it was for scholars with special needs, with another step benefiting students who were failing in traditional school settings, then it included active duty military parents, and it expanded to include children living on Indian reservations.

Today, Arizona has a policy of open enrollment. This means that any scholar can attend any public school in the state. Known as “the gold standard for educational freedom,” this policy was enacted by then Governor Doug Ducey when he signed the first-ever universal school choice bill in 2022. He publicly acknowledged that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for good education, but rather, parents need to have the freedom to choose a school that fits their children’s learning styles and developmental needs. 

In this blog, let’s look at the various issues surrounding school choice. We’ll explore:

• What school choice is in Arizona
• The different types of school settings available in the state
• The benefits of school choice for families
• Why many parents choose charter schools for their families
• How to navigate school choice in Arizona

What is school choice in Arizona?

Arizona scholars have school choice, meaning families can choose to attend a school other than their neighborhood school. This gives parents the option of selecting a school that best fits their child’s needs. 

If a parent decides that the public school their child attends is not giving them the type of education or support their child needs, they can opt out of this school and join the Education Savings Account program (ESA). Here, their tax dollars for their child’s education are applied to a private school of their choice, including virtual options. They can use an average of $7,143 to pay for schooling in a group of approved, private K–12 schools. The universal school choice bill (H.B. 2853) allows leftover money to be spent on school supplies and electronics. 

As a result of Senator Doug Ducey’s leadership in 2022, Arizona remains the leading state in school choice. 

The Different Types of School Settings Available in Arizona

Parents in Arizona can choose from five different types of schools for their children: 

1. Traditional district schools: 261 public districts have most of the state’s scholars enrolled.

2. Private schools: some are associated with the Christian Church, others are preparatory schools for college-bound scholars, and others teach with a specific emphasis or pedagogy. Private schools require parents to pay tuition, but ESAs provide the bulk of that payment.

3. Charter schools: these are tuition-free public schools. Arizona is home to over 570 charter schools; some are K-8, some are K-12, and others are only for high school students. Each school is focused on a particular methodology of teaching. 

4. Homeschooling: parents may elect to teach their children at home. They may use ESA money to adequately supply their homes with the teaching needs.

5. Online schools: with this option, children can access schooling from home on their computers. 

Other types of Arizona schools include magnet schools and micro schools for a small body of students.  

The Leman Virtual Academy offers scholars the option of learning online. Though they learn at home, scholars have the opportunity to participate in in-person and online clubs with their classmates and teachers. They can also participate in athletics and extracurricular activities on Leman’s campuses. The Virtual Academy is a tuition-free, classical education school choice for parents.

Benefits of School Choice for Families

According to the American Federation for Children, states with school choice witness many benefits. Among them are:

• Increased college enrollment
• Increased reading and math comprehension
• School choice reduces crime
• Vouchers serve less-advantaged scholars
• Increased School Safety

The best benefit of school choice is the chance to find the right school for your child. Perhaps your child is gifted and needs more challenging academic material. Or maybe your child excels in fine arts or a more hands-on approach to learning. With school choice, you can explore the different schools and their teaching methods to find the one that is just right for your child. 

In this way, when you find the school that best matches your child’s talents, needs, and desires, you’ll witness progress in his or her academic performance. You can watch your child bloom in an environment that is supportive and engaging. 

Specialized programs that you’ll find in schools other than the traditional district schools include emphases on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), college preparatory with a rigorous academic schedule, Montessori programs for children who perform best with a hands-on-approach, fine arts in visual arts and music, and the classical education model. 

Additionally, many non-traditional schools have a smaller teacher-student ratio, thus giving your child more time and attention. 

Why Many Parents Choose Charter Schools 

When parents realize their children aren’t performing to their potential in traditional district schools, they explore options. More and more, parents are choosing one of the hundreds of charter schools in Arizona.

Tuition-free public charter schools offer innovative curricula and pedagogy, distinct from traditional schools. Charter schools allow scholars more autonomy in their work, and scholars can perform up to their potential. Parental involvement is welcomed in charter schools, where parents are viewed as “partners” by the schools. 

All charter schools in Arizona are required to meet educational standards set by both the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools and the Arizona State Board of Education. Charter schools are thus required to meet all state academic standards. While charters are held to the same standard as public schools by the state, many believe charter schools are held to a higher standard, but that is not the case.

In addition to rising charter school enrollment, Classical Education is making a comeback. Parents are “flocking” to schools that teach the classical method. Why is this teaching method becoming so popular? Because of its dual magnet: It teaches scholars how to think, and it develops character in the children who attend.

Classical Education is a key advantage in The Leman Academy of Excellence. A public, tuition-free charter school, Leman offers classical learning aligned with the Trivium. Of the three learning stages in the Trivium; grammar, logic, and rhetoric, Leman’s K-8 schools teach the grammar and logic stages while preparing their scholars for the rhetoric stage to follow in high school.  

How Leman Academy Fits into Arizona’s School Choice Landscape

As a top classical education K-8 school, Leman’s curricula of integrated studies focuses on classical literature, language, and history in addition to math, science, and social science. In the Grammar Stage, which aligns with grades 1-6, scholars fill their knowledge banks with facts, names, events, dates, and other foundational information. 

The Logic Stage, during the middle school years, is where scholars apply higher-level thinking to the information acquired in the Grammar Stage. Through classical texts, Socratic discussions, and project collaboration, scholars at Leman learn to think critically about the subjects they study.

Leman has schools in both Arizona and Colorado. Parents in these states view Leman as a top school option. In particular, Leman Academy is founded on the principles of Dr. Kevin Leman, a renowned psychologist and author specializing in parenting and education. This reassures parents about the quality of its curriculum and student character development.

“We absolutely love it. We were accepted by four other charter schools, all good in their own ways, in my book, but after we toured Leman it felt like home. I actually drive a half-hour each way for my twins to attend.”

– A parent of Leman Academy 

“Since coming to Leman Academy, I feel like my learning has really taken off. The teachers are so supportive and always push me to reach my full potential, while also making sure I understand the material.”

– A student of Leman Academy

How to Navigate School Choice in Arizona

As a resident of the leading school choice state in the country, you might feel overwhelmed with the many options before you. You might find this Schools Near Me tool helpful for exploring your local school options. 

Before you begin your search, clarify what you are seeking in an environment for your child. Search the schools you discover online, then attend them personally. See when their open enrollment is scheduled. Be sure to ask any questions you have. Make notes of application and enrollment deadlines, and become familiar with the schools’ processes for registration.

Most schools have a waiting list when the number of applicants exceeds the seats available. When one opens up, a lottery is used to randomly select the scholar to fill that seat. 

Arizona Department of Education links can be found here to answer more of your questions about school choice. 

Conclusion

As you set out on your school choice journey, remember that finding the right school for your child impacts his or her future. Choosing the best-fitting school for a scholar leads to college acceptance, academic success as high as the scholar’s potential, the opportunity for a scholar to excel in his or her area of interest, and a best chance at support, safety, and engagement.

In Arizona, the buffet of schools to choose from is the largest in the country. Explore, discover, and find what is best for your children. 

Learn more about the Leman Academy of Excellence and how they can be a second home to the scholar in your home.

Sufficient funding in Arizona’s education is crucial for improving student outcomes, supporting teachers, and ensuring the state remains competitive in the job market. With adequate funding, schools enjoy reduced class sizes, quality learning materials, enhanced teacher salaries, and the maintenance of school facilities. 

Arizona’s education budget impacts all schools in the state. Due to historically low per-student spending, Arizona faces challenges such as teacher shortages, large class sizes, and outdated school buildings. Maintaining a sufficient education budget ultimately impacts the quality of scholars’ learning. This affects all schools in the state, including charter schools. 

With an array of income streams, from federal and state taxes, as well as corporate, community and individual benefactors, charter schools like Leman Academy are well-suited to provide quality educational services and materials for their scholars. 

To see where we stand today in the funding for Arizona’s schools, let’s examine these five points regarding its education budget:

1. Understanding Arizona’s Education Funding
2. How the Education Budget Affects Charter Schools
3. Recent Changes and Trends in Arizona’s Education Funding
4. Why Charter Schools Like Leman Academy Continue to Thrive
5. How Parents Can Stay Informed and Support Charter School Funding

Understanding Arizona’s Education Funding 

Arizona’s schools are mostly funded by three sources: 

• State and local resources provide approximately 81% of school funds
• Local funds also come from voter-approved bonds or overrides
• Federal money makes up about 19% of Arizona’s school funds

The state funds come primarily through income taxes, sales taxes, and state land revenues. In addition, the state provides funding for special education, transportation, and extra funds depending on the number of scholars enrolled in a school. 

Local funds to schools are mostly from property taxes paid by homeowners and businesses. Sometimes, schools will ask residents to vote on bonds or overrides for additional support. This is usually spent on things like technology improvements, school renovations, and teacher salaries. 

The federal government provides funds for specific programs, e.g., Title I, which is support for scholars from low-income families, students with disabilities, and school lunch programs. They also assist students from non-English speaking homes to help them learn English.

Charter schools in Arizona are public schools. They receive the same funding as traditional district schools, except for property taxes and voter-elected bonds. To offset this disparity, the Arizona legislature provides charter schools up to $2,000 more per pupil in “equalization dollars”. Thus, charter schools do not charge tuition – they are free to attend. 

How Does Arizona’s Education Budget Affect Charter Schools?

Since Arizona’s charter schools do not receive funding from property taxes, they must rely on state per-pupil funding, which comes from income taxes and sales taxes. There is more government support allocated to students in charter schools than in traditional schools as compensation for the lack of property tax funds. Additionally, charter schools can receive federal and private grants to help offset the gap left by the property tax issue. 

Charter schools are more vulnerable to setbacks than traditional schools due to state education budget cuts. Any changes to Arizona’s education budget directly affect charter schools’ financial stability. This in turn, impacts teacher salaries, curriculum development, and school facilities. 

Recent Changes and Trends in Arizona’s Education Funding

As of February 2025, Arizona’s education budget is at the center of several legislative discussions and challenges:

In 2024, Governor Katie Hobbs announced a plan to renew Proposition 123, which would increase funding for public education without raising taxes. This plan includes allocating funds for educator compensation with 4.4% from the State Land Trust Permanent Fund. With 1.5% from the same Fund to increase school staff pay and 0.5% invested in school safety, Hobbs proposes to enhance the quality of education in public schools. 

Governor Hobbs has also proposed changes to the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA). An Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) is the amount of taxpayers’ dollars and state school budget funds that pay for a public school education. When you remove your child from the district school system, these funds go with your child. The ESA in Arizona is synonymous with a “school voucher”. It can be used to support the costs for:

• Attendance in a charter school
• Private school tuition
• Tutoring
• Educational therapies
• Online schooling
• Future educational expenses

Hobbs proposes that scholars attend a traditional school for 100 days before becoming eligible for school vouchers. However, this proposal is facing considerable opposition from members of Arizona’s legislature, as well as from schools and parents. 

In addition, the Governor’s administration has also sought to implement a scaled income cap on the ESA program to ensure fiscal responsibility. Again, this is a plan facing strong opposition. 

Legislation that changes the ESA landscape directly affects charter schools and their scholars. Thus, these issues are “hot” topics in Arizona today. 

Why Charter Schools Like Leman Academy Continue to Thrive

The Leman Academy of Excellence, with K-8 schools in Arizona and Colorado, thrives in the simmering melee of the state’s new education legislation and its highly active school choice program. It’s particularly successful because it demonstrates an efficient use of its resources. 

First, it utilizes a structured communication framework to promote unity, clarity, and quality to the school’s community. It has also secured collaborative partnerships with the community to ensure the safety of its scholars. 

Currently, the Bayou Gulch campus in Colorado has constructed a new facility to accommodate pre-kindergarten and special education scholars. This will ensure that resources are allocated to meet the differentiation needs of special scholars. 

In addition, Leman Academy offers a competitive benefits package to its teachers to attract and retain talented staff. Its goal is to provide a high-quality and well-trained staff to engage and excite its scholars about learning. 

The Leman Academy enjoys a preponderance of parent involvement, and in fact, Leman refers to their scholars’ parents as “partners” in education.

Most importantly, Leman Academy is a magnet for parents because it’s a charter school with a classical education model of teaching. Classical education is attractive due to its in-depth study of humanities, a curriculum that ignites critical thinking, and its focus on character development. Furthermore, this exceptional education is tuition-free, and is available anywhere in Arizona via Leman’s Virtual Academy. 

How Parents Can Stay Informed and Support Charter School Funding

You can follow charter school issues by looking into the Arizona Charter School Association for updates on policies, school rankings, and events. Additionally, many charter schools hold board meetings that parents can attend to learn about decisions affecting the school. Also, by following the Arizona Department of Education, you will find information regarding charter school funding and regulations. 

To advocate for school policies, contact your state legislator’s office to support those that benefit charter schools. 

The Leman Academy of Excellence ensures transparency in its use of funds. It publicly shares essential financial records, including adopted budgets and audited financial statements. Leman complies with state statutes that mandate financial disclosures such as budgets and salary information. Leman also files an IRS Form 990. As a non-profit organization, Leman Academy files this form to document financial activities, governance, and compensation. These forms are available to the public through platforms like GuideStar, which provide insights into the academy’s financial health and operational practices. 

Conclusion

Since Arizona’s charter schools do not receive funds from property taxes, funding charter schools takes a different path. They receive state and federal funds like district schools; however, other revenue streams supplement the property tax gap, such as federal and private grants. Community and individual donations also contribute to charter schools’ financial support. In this way, Arizona’s charter schools are tuition-free for families. 

If you’re searching for a non-traditional school for your child to attend, explore the many charter school options available in Arizona. You will find a school that is a great match for your child. 

Learn more about Leman Academy’s commitment to academic excellence!

A hallmark of educational curricula in today’s schools is a STEM program. Standing for science,  technology, engineering, and math, STEM programs rose significantly due to poor test scores of  American scholars in math and the burst of technology in our daily lives. While these subjects are important, they’re frequently placed on a pedestal above liberal arts education. Assessment of scholars’ mastery in STEM subjects is determined by passing tests. Let’s take a look at an alternative education model.  

Classical education includes the teaching of math and science; however, it intertwines this with a liberal arts education, creating holistic engagement with real-life challenges. The classical scholar learns to think critically about math and science for the growth of independent thinking,  communication, and problem-solving, not just to pass a test.  

While STEM education has its merits, a classical education offers a holistic and more enduring foundation for success.  

The Limitations of STEM Education 

Out of several drawbacks to a STEM education, the most distinct is the fact that teachers in traditional schools don’t know how to integrate STEM education into their math and science classes. There aren’t any clear-cut guidelines to follow, no national standards or certification required, the program can be costly, and it often comes at the expense of other subjects.  

Furthermore, by permitting humanities to take a back seat in STEM programs, scholars aren’t delving into ethical considerations, examining the morality of scientific processes and outcomes in the real world. Without integrating history, literature, and philosophy into the study of the sciences, we overlook the path to developing well-rounded and responsibly-thinking individuals.  

Finally, if we prepare most of our scholars for careers in the sciences, we’ll end up overproducing STEM graduates, which will in turn lead to a saturation of the science and technology job market. 

The Benefits of a Classical Education 

In most traditional school settings, we see teachers following a certain method in their teaching.  First, they introduce a new concept by connecting it with an older concept that scholars already know. They translate any new terms and symbols so scholars know what they mean. Then teachers show them how to put the new concept into action, demonstrating how to apply it. Next, their scholars practice applying it until they can do so independently. For most lesson plans, that is the end of the lesson.  

However, in a classical education setting, scholars move ahead from the application step. They analyze; this means taking things apart and examining each piece. For example, if you take apart an algebra equation, you look at all the different coefficients and variables to see how they affect the outcome or solution of the problem. This step is found in the logic stage of classical education.  

Next, scholars synthesize; this means putting things back together. In this step, they might substitute one of the variables in an equation for another and see if they reach the same conclusion.  

Classical scholars demonstrate mastery when they can evaluate and create. Such a scholar, now familiar with this type of algebraic equation, may be able to invent another and graph it on his own. This step is part of the rhetoric stage of classical learning.  

In addition, classical scholars use what they have learned in literature, history, and philosophy to influence the critical thinking steps they take to solve problems. For example, they could compare this type of equation with one used by the ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras.  

No matter what career your child decides to follow, with a classical education he or she will have highly developed skills of communication and problem-solving that are applicable across all career paths. Furthermore, they’ll demonstrate character development and leadership as they journey along their chosen paths.  

Preparing for a Changing World

A technical revolution is rocking our world and many of tomorrow’s jobs don’t exist yet.  However, a classically educated scholar will find adaptation an easier process because he or she will have studied humanities. Winston Churchill once said, “A nation that forgets its past has no future.” When a scholar studies history, discusses how people think and why they do so, and explores the virtues inherent in the great works of literature, they are prepared for whatever tomorrow will bring.  

Let’s examine the flexibility of the classical model. Within this model, schools strive for excellence in both humanities and the sciences. They apply logical thinking to the study of science, which has enormous benefits. For example, the study of a false dichotomy fallacy occurs during the logic stage of the trivium. This is a principle that can be easily applied to math and science questions. For example, “Are there only two solutions to this problem? Can there be more than one solution? Is there another way of looking at this problem?” Classical teaching instills many such tools of critical thinking into their scholars’ minds which they then apply to science and math.  

Ethical and Moral Foundations 

No doubt you wish for your children to grow a bank of ethical values as well as a bank of knowledge while in school. We desire our children to develop wisdom as they use the knowledge they’re acquiring. We want them to regard honesty, respect for each other, kindness, and the value of hard work as morally high traits.  

In a STEM-focused curriculum, the aspect of learning knowledge overshadows the learning of ethical values. STEM teachers do not believe that ethics are integral to what their scholars should be learning in their programs.  

On the other hand, the classical education model ensures a strong ethical education alongside the teaching of academics. The installation of self-discipline and accountability is sometimes referred to as “character training”. Classical scholars study the classic works of literature, and during this study, they explore moral principles. Through their study of the “human condition”, scholars grow in their understanding of compassion, honesty, and integrity. 

As a testimony to ethical values inherent in classical learning, leaders such as Leonardo di Vinci, John Milton, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Sigmund Freud, and even J.K. Rowling all received a classical education.  

Incorporating STEM Within a Classical Framework 

It’s easy to view classical education as the polar opposite of STEM, but studies of science,  technology, engineering, and math are incorporated into classical curricula, just in a broader context. The difference between the classical framework and traditional studies lies in the application of ethical principles to develop wisdom alongside utilizing academic skills.  

For example, a scholar who studies computer programming not only acquires the skill and knowledge of programming but also investigates both the good and bad consequences of such use. Would entering another computer network be ethical? If an individual hacked into another program, what would be the outcomes? What and who could be hurt by such an act?  

With today’s rise in AI and biochemical applications, ethical considerations are an integral responsibility of the teachers of STEM programs to teach the “why” behind technical processes, and not just the “how”. Issues such as promoting the common good, respect for the world’s environment, and the integrity of research are topics scholars in STEM programs address in classical education.  

Conclusion 

When scholars in the classical setting study the sciences, they go beyond the acquisition of knowledge to a pure understanding; they use analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and creation to master science and math. Combined with their study of real-life applications, and the ethics of such utilization, scholars form a holistic approach to STEM learning.  

What we need for our future is timeless wisdom, not fleeting trends. Technology that is used today will, for the most part, be obsolete tomorrow. But the classically educated scientists of tomorrow will know how to design, create, and ethically employ the scientific and mathematical tools we’ll need. Thus, classical education is the superior foundation for STEM success and adaptability. 

Explore The Leman Academy of Excellence in Arizona as a pathway to comprehensive education for your child.

Arizona, with more school choice than any other state in the U.S., is home to 580 charter schools with over 230,000 scholars in attendance. As a parent, you desire your children to be prepared for the rigors of high school studies, graduate from a good college and find a rewarding career.  Perhaps you would like to see how Arizona’s charter schools can fulfill your dream.  

Charter schools are public schools; they’re funded by the same means as traditional public schools. Differences from traditional schools lie between the curricula taught, the student-to-teacher ratio, and the focus of the school’s missions and values. Some emphasize a STEM education, some focus on the fine arts, and others emphasize college preparation.  

Leman Academy of Excellence’s focus is on the classical education model. Based upon the traditions of Western culture, wherein the subjects of study are integrated into a rigorous form of learning, scholars of Leman develop critical and independent thinking. 

To further explore what Arizona’s charter schools have to offer your children, let’s take a closer look at their academic structures. Here, we will examine:  

• Academic Rigor and Curriculum Design  
• College Readiness Programs  
• Career-Oriented Learning  
• Extracurricular Activities and Leadership Opportunities  

Academic Rigor and Curriculum Design  

All charter schools in Arizona are required to meet educational standards set by both the Arizona  State Board for Charter Schools and the Arizona State Board of Education. Charter schools are thus required to meet all state academic standards and are held to higher academic standards than traditional public schools. 

At Leman Academy of Excellence, scholars develop a body of knowledge and critical thinking skills utilizing the trivium of classical education. Three stages of learning are embodied in the trivium: the grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages.  

Within this model, Leman’s K-8 scholars extrude the factual information they absorbed in the grammar stage through a process of higher-order thinking skills; e.g., comparing and contrasting, analyzing and synthesizing, evaluating and creating. Scholars are well-prepared at  Leman Academy for the rhetoric stage of the trivium.  

College Readiness Programs  

Charter high schools in Arizona prepare their scholars for college and beyond. Scholars often earn dual credits in charter schools with college-level courses. Having been immersed in a strong academic program, advanced placement classes, and preparation for college entrance exams,  graduating scholars are ready to master higher education.  

In addition, charter schools offer counseling to help their scholars discover scholarship opportunities and to guide their choices of colleges and universities that are good matches for their career paths.  

Career-Oriented Learning  

In addition to college preparation, several of Arizona’s charter schools are focused on learning trades. For example, Applied Technologies is an innovative career and academic charter high school. In this setting, scholars learn in one of ten Career and Technical Education Academies (CTE), which allows scholars to pursue studies in areas such as business and finance, aviation, technology, and health services.  

With an emphasis on teamwork, problem-solving, and communication, scholars in career-oriented charter schools are prepared for real-life challenges in their chosen careers.  

Extracurricular Activities and Leadership Opportunities

While your children develop their intellectual skills in academic classes, you’ll find them developing strong social and community skills via their school’s extracurricular activities.  Arizona’s charter schools have many activities to choose from. Exploring their interests and talents, scholars find chances to excel and lead in activities such as athletic competitions, musical ensemble participation, debate clubs, language clubs, and community service activities.  

Furthermore, scholars find real-life outlets and experience for the kinds of activities they will engage in their chosen career paths; e.g., those who want to go into the study of law will find persuasive argument preparation in the debate club. A scholar who wishes to make cello performance a career will flourish in the school’s orchestra. Another, wanting to work with information technology, will find a rewarding experience in the school’s IT organization.  

The Leman Academy of Excellence Alumni and Parents 

If you’re looking for a charter school for your child that will prepare him or her for a rewarding high school, college, and career experience, look no further than Leman Academy. Here is what past scholars of Leman have to say:  

“Leman is wonderful, and we genuinely love the admin and teachers we have had. We would absolutely recommend Leman to anyone going somewhere else, and definitely wish there was a high school so we never had to leave.”  

From parents:  

 “We like that the teachers tailor to the child’s academic abilities and that they partner 

 with parents in helping scholars succeed.”  

Conclusion  

An Arizona charter school may be the solution to your child’s education choice. It provides in-depth curricula that extend beyond that offered in traditional public schools, has lower teacher-student ratios, and prepares scholars for high school, secondary education, and careers.  

Leman Academy of Excellence, with its classical education model, creates scholars with exceptional intellectual abilities and fosters a lifelong learning approach for its scholars.  

Explore The Leman Academy of Excellence in Arizona as a pathway to comprehensive education for your child.

Arizona’s population is a rich tapestry of beautiful colors, intertwined with different textures,  shapes, and patterns. This state is home to 7.17 million people of a mixture of different races: 53% are non-Hispanic whites, 13.7% are Hispanic, and 4.29% are African American. Other races include Navajo, Asian, and European.  

As of 2022, the median household income was $72,580, with 12.8% of families living in poverty.  In addition, 26% of Arizona’s households do not speak English at home. Languages spoken in non-English speaking homes are mostly Spanish, followed by Navajo, then Chinese.  

In addition, much differentiation is found in scholars’ learning abilities. The top five most frequently diagnosed learning disabilities are dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dysphasia.  

So, how do Arizona’s charter schools tailor their education to best meet schools’ diverse populations?  

Let’s explore several avenues of this issue:  

• Flexible Curriculum Design  
• Support for English Language Learners (ELL)  
• Meeting the Needs of Gifted and Special Education Scholars  
• Addressing Socioeconomic Challenges  
• Fostering Community and Parental Engagement  
• Incorporating Technology for Personalized Learning  

Flexible Curriculum Design 

Arizona’s charter schools are better suited for attending to the needs of scholars with different learning abilities than traditional public schools. To start, most charter schools have a lower student-to-teacher ratio, allowing teachers more time with each of their scholars. In addition, teacher training and support are frequent in charter schools because they have adopted a different type of pedagogy than traditional schools.  

On the other hand, in traditional public schools, teachers are left to their own devices when working with a differentiated population, usually without effective support from their administration. However, in Arizona’s charter schools, teachers have more freedom to address scholars’ needs. For example, charter scholars can work on different topics than their classmates, and at their own pace. They’re also flexible with staff, classroom space, and the use of technology. Charter schools have more freedom to design their own programs, hire their own staff, and assign class sizes and schedules.  

The Leman Academy of Excellence, an exceptional grade-A academy with K-8 schools in  Arizona and Colorado, adheres to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), engages English  Language Learners with matching curricula for their developing English abilities, and provides  Exceptional Scholar Services (ESS) for special scholars.  

Support for English Language Learners (ELL) 

With 26% of Arizona’s students speaking a language other than English at home, it’s imperative that scholars develop proficient English usage.  

The Office of English Language Acquisition Services (OELAS), a branch of the Arizona  Department of Education, utilizes a Structured English Immersion (SEI) model to provide  English studies for non-English-speaking scholars. Skills are focused on verbal and written  English as well as comprehension — even via complex language content. Within this plan for effective instruction, scholars receive four hours of English immersion daily. They begin with their current level of English ability and are then provided scaffolded support, collaborative discussions, rigorous engagement, and regular assessment and monitoring.  

Individualized language learner plans (ILLPs) are created for Arizona scholars in schools with 20  or fewer ELL students. They may be placed in classrooms with English-proficient scholars, but their ILLPs detail how they’ll meet their required 4 hours of daily language development. See what people are saying about The Leman Academy of Excellence’s ELL programs. (Note: this blog used fictitious names.)  

 “Anna, an ELL scholar with limited English speaking skills, gained confidence in expressing herself both verbally and in writing through the school’s language immersion program.”  

 “As a scholar who initially struggled with English comprehension, Joseph began to actively engage in class discussions and demonstrate a strong understanding of subject matter.”  

Meeting the Needs of Gifted and Special Education Scholars 

Gifted scholars are recognized by the Arizona Department of Education as those who are of superior intellect or advanced learning ability, yet are not given opportunities for academic growth in a regular classroom. Thus, these scholars need education services to help them reach their academic potential. Arizona has established a mandatory Gifted Scope and Sequence Law,  which outlines methods for identifying gifted scholars and providing them with needed services. (ARS §15-779)  

In addition, Arizona offers plenty of resources for gifted scholars and their families. The Arizona  Association for Gifted and Talented (AAGT) is a frequently-used resource for parents and communities working together to meet gifted scholars’ needs. The ASU Tempe Math Circle, free to high school scholars, offers them the opportunity to immerse themselves in challenging mathematical problems. Other resources for teachers, parents, and scholars can be found in the  Arizona Department of Education’s Gifted Education section.  

Likewise, charter schools are a good fit for scholars who struggle with learning. With Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) or 504 plans, they will find appropriate curricula as well as more individualized attention and lower student-to-teacher ratios.  

Leman Academy of Excellence is committed to inclusive education for scholars of all learning abilities. With its enrichment opportunities during school as well as after school,  scholars engage in mastering Spanish, Latin, music, the fine arts, and athletics. They study logic,  rhetoric, and classical literature. If your child attends Leman Academy, they will receive a well-rounded education tailored to their learning style. 

Addressing Socioeconomic Challenges 

As a parent, if you want something different than what’s offered in traditional schools, remember that charter schools are also public schools; they receive the same basic funding as traditional schools. They are tuition-free and serve all the states’ families, regardless of household income.  

Additionally, charter schools have partnerships with local organizations to provide meals, school supplies, and counseling services. For example, the College of Health Solutions’ Food Policy and  Environmental Research Group devoted $3.8 million to free meals in traditional and charter schools. Also, children involved with after-school activities can receive free after-school meals from St. Mary’s Food Bank.  

In Scottsdale, community partners furnished scholars with free back-to-school supplies, clothing, and other essentials. In another community effort, BASIS Flagstaff donated school supplies to the Navajo Nation.  

Another beneficial program called Cartwheel now provides mental health services to all schools in rural counties at no cost.  

To summarize, despite wide socioeconomic differences between households in Arizona, its communities have demonstrated numerous ways of pulling together so their children have an excellent start in school.  

Fostering Community and Parental Engagement 

Charter school parents frequently develop strong relationships with their children’s teachers.  Having chosen a particular charter school, parents are invested in the success of their children. When parents are involved with their children’s learning, scholars receive better grades and are more socially, emotionally, and academically adjusted in school. 

At Leman Academy of Excellence, parents are considered to be “partners” in their children’s education. They’re encouraged to become involved in their children’s schools; they assist the homeroom teachers, help out with reading groups, and chaperone field trips. Leman Academy views school to be an extension of scholars’ homes with learning occurring in both home and school.  

Incorporating Technology for Personalized Learning 

Technology has become a staple in our school and work lives, and it has enormous learning benefits. Utilizing computerized learning programs, teachers can tailor lessons to fit scholars’ learning levels. Virtual learning is also available for scholars who are not able to physically attend school.  

Leman Virtual Academy of Arizona allows any scholar in Arizona to attend school from their home computer. Children who move frequently, have disabilities, or are homeschooled may choose to receive their education virtually, again with no tuition charged. Even though lessons are received online, scholars form relationships with their teachers and classmates and are held to the same standards of achievement as in-person scholars.  

“I love the fact that it is a classical curriculum, they have live online classes for each subject at least once a week, and that there is a big focus on character education, history, and literature.” 

 — Parent of a Leman Virtual Academy scholar  

Conclusion  

With such a diverse population attending today’s schools in Arizona, their educational institutions must provide the best standards they can for each scholar. Differences in family income, customs, language, and abilities all directly influence their children’s learning and require careful planning to ensure an exceptional educational environment possible for each child.

Charter schools make a better match for a diversified scholar population than traditional district schools. With smaller classes, flexibility in structuring curricula, and strong teacher-parent ties, charter scholars are better positioned to excel.  

To find a charter school that is committed to inclusivity, explore The Leman Academy of Excellence and Leman’s Virtual Academy.