School Community

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.

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.

On September 23, 2024, 12News published a story informing its viewers that the state of Arizona ranked 51st in a survey regarding the quality of its public schools. Though the U.S. is comprised of 50 states, it included Washington D.C., thus ranking Arizona 51st on its list of good schools.  

This survey, titled “Best States for Public Education in 2024”, was conducted by Consumer Affairs. The report stated, “Arizona ranked dead last because of low test scores across the board and the highest pupil-to-teacher ratio in the country — 23:1”.  

Key Findings of the Survey  

The most recently available NAEP reading scores for the nation were taken in 2022, with the National Assessment for Education Progress reporting test scores every two years. In Arizona, the NAEP reported that only 31% of its scholars could read at a proficient level, and only 24% were proficient in mathematics for 2022.  

The causes of these poor scores can be attributed to a lack of funding, crowded classrooms, and a high teacher turnover rate. Detrimentally impacting scholar achievement and the well-being of their communities are top concerns of parents. Why are Arizona’s public schools underfunded?  

Why Arizona’s Public Schools are Underfunded  

A trend called the “doctrine of shrinking state budgets” is a result of economic downturns, reducing states’ revenue. According to the National Association of State Budget Officers,  (NASBO), total state funding is expected to shrink by $1.22 trillion this year (2025), a drop of 6% from last year.  

Arizona’s budget deficit has led the state to redistribute funds by cutting $1.4 billion on education, as well as most state agencies.  

Such cutbacks are blamed for the poor performances of public schools and their scholars. There is hope that Governor Katie Hobbs will pass Proposition 123, in which Arizona will raise compensation for every educator and support staff in the state. By acquiring 8.9% funding from  the State Land Trust Permanent Fund and distributing it over a 10-year period, the funds would be administered as follows:  

1. 2.5% to a general school fund amounting to $257 million  
2. 4.4% for educator compensation — $347 million  
3. 1.5% for school staff — $118 million  
4. 0.5% for schools and scholars’ safety  

As of this writing, in January 2025, the deadline for calling a special election to pass Prop 123 is in mid-February of this year. With hope, the challenges traditional public schools face will be addressed for a better future.  

Why These Challenges Matter 

Underfunded schools deal with overcrowded classrooms, low teacher compensation, and high teacher turnover. Negative impacts include scholars’ disengagement with the learning process, lack of motivation, and frequent truancy. Fewer scholars graduate from these schools. In addition, underfunded schools have more scholars with learning gaps that need to be addressed. Due to stress, low pay, and being overburdened by the many needs of their scholars, teacher turnover is high in schools that lack appropriate funds.  

According to a study in the American Journal of Education, (2017), children up through 5th grade have a higher level of achievement in reading when their teachers enjoy teaching. It also discovered that when scholars attend schools with a strong professional community as a foundation, it helps them to succeed even if the schools employ a few dissatisfied teachers. A strong professional community supports teacher collaboration and a culture aimed at success.  

If underfunded schools are left to struggle without financial assistance, they will give rise to a generation of people who will not be in a position to adequately support their own children. The cycle of poverty can best be broken by providing scholars with an excellent education, coupled with the confidence that they can succeed in life, and visions of their future endeavors. 

How The Leman Academy of Excellence Addresses These Challenges 

The Leman Academy of Excellence, a classical education academy with schools in Arizona and  Colorado, addresses education challenges in Arizona by establishing these pillars:  

• Teacher support and retention  
• A well-funded curriculum  
• Positive scholar outcomes  
• Parental involvement  

Teacher support leads to the retention of good teachers by offering them competitive compensation and ongoing professional development. As a classical education academy, Leman supports its professional staff with training in the classical model to deliver a rigorous curriculum, utilize Socratic questioning, deliver structured discovery learning, and provide excellent character development for their scholars.  

As a public charter school, Leman also receives state money like traditional schools. In addition, it receives money from the government to compensate for its inability to utilize property taxes, as well as donations from foundations and corporations. Leman Academy’s use of these funds provides scholars with qualified teachers, core curriculum texts in both print and digital formats, and the resources needed to master its curriculum.  

Teaching grades K-8, Leman Academy provides a rigorous curriculum that prepares its scholars to engage with the rhetoric stage of the trivium, which coincides with high school grades in traditional schools. Scholars demonstrate a strong academic foundation with critical thinking skills and the confidence to think independently. They focus on the virtues of caring, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness.  

Parents are considered to be partners by Leman Academy in the support and education of their scholars. They’re invited to volunteer on campuses and assist with classroom activities. Using regular communication, parents are kept informed about their children’s progress, and they form strong ties with their children’s teachers.  

Maintaining these pillars of support is what makes the Leman Academy a much sought-after school choice for parents. 

Conclusion: Why Choose Leman Academy? 

While many challenges face traditional schools, the Leman Academy of Excellence is able to prevent these issues. They provide a smaller scholar-to-teacher ratio, offer a curriculum that teaches their scholars to think, and engage their scholars with collaborative activities such as discussions, debates, and projects that validate scholars’ self-worth. This, in turn, provides interest and curiosity in the minds of scholars who then find inspiration in learning. Leman likewise ensures their scholars develop teamwork, compassion, and wholesome virtues.  

Parents of children enrolled in Leman attest to its success:  

 “We absolutely love this school. Character development integrated into a classical   approach to education is a rare find these days.”  

 “This is our second year at Leman — I have 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th grade children. They have advanced academically much more than ever, and they feel loved by the staff.”  

As traditional schools struggle to empower their scholars with a good education, Leman  Academy curtails most of those issues, which makes Leman an exceptional alternative school choice.  

Visit Leman Academy’s website and the Leman Virtual Academy to discover what opportunities they present for your children.

Charter schools are public, free of tuition, independent schools that frequently provide a specific teaching pedagogy that is not offered in traditional district schools. For example, the Leman Academy of Excellence, for scholars in grades K-8, uses the Classical Education teaching approach. This method, called The Trivium, aligns with scholars’ natural learning processes. Leman teaches children to be lifelong learners and critical thinkers. All disciplines of learning are interrelated at Leman where scholars are challenged to widen the horizons of their knowledge and understanding.

When you’re choosing a school for your child, it’s important to learn about the school’s

enrollment process as well as scheduled dates and deadlines. Let’s look into the five steps that you need to take to enroll your child in an Arizona charter school:

1. Research Charter School Options
2. Check Eligibility Requirements
3. Submit an Application
4. Participate in a Lottery
5. Confirm Enrollment and Next Steps

Step 1: Research Charter School Options

Perhaps you have researched several charter school options for your children’s education and now must select the “perfect” one. Some considerations you may want to keep in mind are:

The location — Depending on the distance, the state of Arizona will increase aid to charter schools for scholars who need to travel between 20 and 30 miles each way between home and school.

The curriculum — Most charter schools emphasize particular learning methods. Choose the method in which your child will thrive best. It could be a fine arts emphasis, a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), or a classical education model.

Extracurricular activities offered — perhaps your child is outstanding in a certain athletic

activity or is musically inclined. Maybe your child shows strengths in debate, politics, and rhetoric. Discover all the activities offered by the school you choose and see what’s available to match your child’s skills and talents.

The school culture — Some schools have a more diverse population than others, and charter schools vary in teacher-to-student ratio. Explore these topics about your chosen school, and explore their guiding beliefs and values.

The Leman Academy of Excellence is based on the philosophy of child psychologist Dr. Kevin Leman, the school’s founder. According to Dr. Leman, the best education a child can receive focuses on both the mind and the heart. You’ll find that Leman places an emphasis on building scholars’ virtues and character.

If, however, your family lives too far from any one of Leman’s schools in Arizona, you might look into the Leman Virtual Academy, which offers the same excellent education online. In this setting, your child is assigned a teacher and accesses the school from a home computer. Whether your child attends the Leman Academy in person or from a home computer, you’ll find the exceptional attention and support needed for a successful scholastic journey.

Step 2: Check Eligibility Requirements

Arizona charter schools may limit student eligibility based on age or grade level, but cannot limit students’ attendance based on national origin, ethnicity, gender, income level, athletic ability, disabling conditions, or proficiency in the English language.

Scholars must be residents of Arizona and must be of school age to attend. Most schools have an enrollment period in the late autumn of the year. The Leman Academy of Excellence’s open enrollment period is November 1-8 for schools in Arizona, and November 1-30 for its schools in Colorado.

In addition, if schools are filled to capacity, parents can join a waitlist. At Leman Academy,

scholars who apply during the enrollment period but are not immediately accepted are placed on the waitlist. They are then considered for available spots if a current scholar leaves or the school develops additional capacity.

Step 3: Submit an Application

When you have chosen a charter school for your child, you need to begin the application process. To apply, you’ll need to have some documentation on hand:

• Your child’s birth certificate
• Proof of your residence
• Your child’s immunization records
• A withdrawal form from their previous school
• Academic records from previous schools
• IEP or 504 forms, if applicable

If you decide to apply to Leman Academy, you’ll need to provide the names of previous schools your child has attended so they can request the child’s records. Also, Leman’s staff will be prepared to best accommodate your child if you have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 plan to share during the application process. Likewise, any pertinent medical information regarding your child should be delivered with your application.

Step 4: Participate in a Lottery

Most charter schools employ a lottery system as an equitable method for accepting scholars to fill their classrooms. By utilizing a random selection process, scholars are guaranteed a fair system for filling available spots.

Lotteries are held after the application period has ended. At that time, all the names of the

applicants are placed in a pool to be randomly selected for acceptance into the school.

It’s important to note that if the applicant is a sibling of a child already in the school, most

charter schools give the siblings priority over children’s names drawn from the lottery.

At the Leman Academy, you can apply for your desired grade level during the dates of the application period, which are announced well in advance. After you complete your application, Leman Academy holds its Lottery Draw, a randomized process of scholar selection. At the lottery’s conclusion, Leman will notify your family if you’ve been accepted or placed on a waitlist. Leman’s waitlist is updated daily. Should a family change their mind and decline a selected spot, then the next family on the waitlist will be contacted and informed of their acceptance.

Step 5: Confirm Enrollment and Next Steps

Finally, when your child has been accepted into your chosen charter school, the registration process begins. You will be given paperwork to complete along with dates for meetings and the school’s orientation.

At the Leman Academy, the registration process allows you two weeks to turn in all the

requested paperwork, including any of the documentation listed above for the application process that has not been submitted. After all the paperwork is completed and given to the school’s staff, then you will receive information regarding your children’s schedules and needed school supplies.

Consider Leman Academy and the Benefits for Your Children

With a classical curriculum, high academic standards, and emphasis on developing the heart as well as the mind, it’s difficult to find a charter school with more benefits to offer your children than the Leman Academy of Excellence. Your child can physically attend one of the Arizona or Colorado campuses, or if you live in Arizona, your child can access Leman Academy virtually and attend school from home. Either way, your child’s academic and character growth will blossom with all that Leman Academy has to offer.

To conclude, discover all that the Leman Academy of Excellence has to offer. On the homepage of Leman’s website, you’ll see a button that says “Enroll” on the top menu. Click on it and follow the steps to begin the online registration process. After applying, your child’s name will be included in the school lottery for class openings in your desired grade level.

Begin your child’s amazing Leman Academy journey today!

The Leman Academy of Excellence is a charter school for students in grades K-8 with campuses in Arizona and Colorado. It’s a public school, but not a traditional district school. Its teaching philosophy is the Trivium of Classical Education, which is aligned with children’s learning processes and emphasizes advanced thinking skills.

Leman Academy is an example of an alternative educational choice for your child. Charter schools are open to all students as long as they have the seating capacity for them, are free to attend, and follow alternative learning methods such as Classical Education; Montessori instruction; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) instruction; the fine arts, or an emphasis on career education.

Does the law of Arizona require teachers to be certified? No, they do not. In fact, it’s interesting to note that as of August 9, 2017, Senate Bill 1042, signed by Governor Doug Ducey, states public district schools can hire teachers who do not have formal training. However, most traditional school teachers possess a state teaching certificate as proof of their educational training and have met state requirements.

Let’s dive into this issue to better understand teacher qualifications in charter schools. Just because a teacher doesn’t have a state license doesn’t mean the teacher is unqualified. It’s important that as you search for the best school for your child, you understand the teacher qualifications in the schools you’re considering.

What Does Certification Mean for Teachers?

When teachers apply for positions in traditional public schools, they usually possess at least a bachelor’s degree in education. The next step is to acquire teaching certificates for their fields of education. This demonstrates proof of passing the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA). In addition, they may renew their certificates after proof of 15 hours of professional development for every year certificates are held. The purpose of state certification is to demonstrate expertise, education, and experience of educators’ ability to teach well.

Now let’s see how that compares to the qualification requirements of charter schools in Arizona.

Arizona’s Certification Requirements for Charter School Teachers

Charter schools are permitted to set their own requirements for hiring teachers; however, some charter schools may still require their teachers to obtain state certification. Typically, charter schools require teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree, pass a state background check, and obtain a valid fingerprint clearance card. One exception to this flexibility, however, is that in charter schools, teachers of special education must have a valid Arizona teaching certificate. It should be noted as well that schools seek teachers who are aligned with their goals and missions.

Qualifications for teachers in Arizona’s 580 charter schools today are outlined in their school’s charter application. In addition:

• Schools must maintain resumes of all employees, which can be requested by parents
• Some schools may require teachers to be in the process of obtaining certification
• Some teachers without a certificate may have to meet other requirements, such as having relevant experience or passing an exam.

The Leman Academy of Excellence is committed to helping teachers attain their teaching certificates. They may be hired with a degree in the same field in which they teach, but they’re required to become certified to the level of Arizona’s state requirements. Thus, Leman’s teachers are either certified or are subject matter experts in the process of being certified.

Schools unlike Leman Academy that don’t require certification may hire teachers who have in-depth subject matter knowledge; for example, they may hire a vocal musician to teach the school’s choir. They may hire someone with an advanced degree to teach a related subject; a mechanical engineer could be employed to teach mathematics or physics. Schools may also hire someone with significant experience in a field to teach it, such as an architect to teach design.

Additionally, professional development (PD) is the ongoing training that teachers receive to keep current with teaching methodologies, training, and trends. Schools plan specific times for PD in their school year calendar. For example, Colorado has certain PD days built into their calendar. On these days, while students do not report to school, all the teachers and/or staff must report for training sessions.

Likewise, Arizona’s schools have scheduled time for PD in the form of early release days when students are dismissed early. Their meetings also include district-wide PD days on school campuses.

New teachers may have extra PD such as those who teach at Leman Academy. New teachers at Leman have “Leman U days” to learn about this charter school’s teaching philosophy, policies, and routines.

Benefits and Challenges of Flexibility in Certification

Inherent in charter schools’ flexible hiring practices, is the ability to employ diverse talent, specialized experts, and innovative educators. Regardless of schools’ best hiring practices, no doubt you may have some concerns regarding consistency and quality. Recall that charter schools’ hiring practices are contained within their charters. You can go to schools’ specific websites to learn more about teacher qualifications for either charter or traditional schools.

If you select The Leman Academy of Excellence charter school for your child, you will find exceptional teachers thoroughly versed in their subject matter. Leman Academy ensures quality teaching by hiring only subject matter experts and requiring them to attain certification as an agreement of their employment. Leman’s staff teaches according to the Classical Education model, receiving considerable professional support.

What Parents Should Consider When Choosing a Charter School

Choosing a school that matches your child’s academic needs, strengths, and personality is a major task and no doubt you want to find the “perfect” school for your child. Here are some tips to consider while investigating your choices:

• Review teacher credentials and experience
• Observe the classroom and student-teacher interactions
• Ask about professional development opportunities
• Inquire about teacher evaluation processes
• Take a look at the classroom’s decor, educational posters, etc., to learn more about the teacher’s values and philosophy
• Inquire about the school’s communication practices with parents
• Check out the technology used in the school
• Ask about the teacher retention rate
• Ask the school about teacher collaboration practices
• Inquire about student feedback

Do not hesitate to ask school leaders or teachers anything that is important for you to know. Good schools will accommodate your concerns, answering all your questions to the best of their ability.

In Conclusion: Consider Teacher Qualifications First

Since Arizona does not require its teachers to be state-certified, it’s important to find out more about teacher qualifications in your choice of school. Remember that while credentials tell us a teacher’s level of training, it’s the teacher’s experience and depth of knowledge that determines the teacher’s ability to successfully engage with your children.Learn more about Leman Academy’s exceptional teaching team. Visit one of their campuses and experience the Leman difference firsthand.

If you live in the state of Arizona, you have more school choices for your children than any other state in the country. Most students in Arizona attend traditional public schools; in fact, approximately 897,000 K-12 students attend one of 2,000+ public school districts. Other students attend either charter schools, private schools, virtual schools, or homeschool.

With so many choices, it’s important that you know the facts about what each school setting offers so you can make the best choice for your children. As with most types of schools, myths about their instructional practices, funding, and access to resources subsist in Arizona’s communities. This is no less true for public district schools.

Let’s take a tour of Arizona’s fine public schools to clear the air of any misconceptions so you can make an informed schooling choice for your child. Common myths about public education are:

• All public schools are the same
• Public schools don’t offer quality education
• Public school classrooms are overcrowded
• Public schools are underfunded and lack resources
• Public schools don’t support individualized learning

Myth #1: All Public Schools are the Same

Public district schools in Arizona are as varied as the spices and herbs in your seasonings

cabinet. One variation is the grade each school receives from the Department of Education. Mandated by both federal and state laws, each school in the state is given a letter grade of A through F based upon the following criteria:

1. Student academic growth from year to year
2. Proficiency on statewide assessments
3. English language proficiency and growth
4. Preparedness for high school among elementary students
5. Preparedness for post-secondary education among high schools.

You can find out such information as whether a school offers advanced placement courses, career technical education classes, particular sports, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) courses, or arts and music instruction, by consulting the Arizona Department of Education’s school report cards.

Public schools include traditional schools, magnet schools, and charter schools, each with its own structure, emphasis, and resources. For example, a magnet school is a public school that focuses on a special area of study such as performing arts, STEM, or career education. The entire school embraces this particular focus, and it’s used to attract students from across entire districts.

Charter schools, such as Leman Academy of Excellence, offer smaller teacher-to-student ratios, and a curriculum structured according to a particular pedagogy. Leman Academy utilizes the Classical Education method of teaching, which is an approach that teaches children to think independently, and focuses on nurturing the whole child.

Arizona has an Open Enrollment policy. This means you can send your child to any public

school in the state as long as the school has capacity. Schools will provide transportation up to 20 miles each way. The law of Arizona prohibits schools from charging tuition for transfer students.

Check out the website myschoolchoice.com; it has a tool called “Schools Near Me” where you can access information to more than 131,000 traditional public, magnet, charter, and private schools.

Myth #2: Arizona’s Public Schools Don’t Offer Quality Education

Public education in Arizona offers many high-quality, diversified programs and activities in its schools, as well as special programs for students with specialized needs.

One such type of school is called a “magnet school”, which is a public school that focuses on a specific area of study such as performing arts; Science,Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM); or career education. The entire school embraces this particular focus, and it’s used to attract students across districts.

Another example of a specialized type of school is the Arizona Autism Charter School (AZACS) which is the first charter network in the southwest U.S. that specializes in helping autistic students with their challenges.

Rated the #1 best public magnet school in AZ is Phoenix Union Bioscience High School. It was also rated the best STEM high school in AZ by Niche, 2025. It has 392 students in grades 9-12, and a student – teacher ratio of 18:1. With AP classes, programs for gifted students, it has a 95% graduation rate. Students here believe the teachers provide engaging lessons, and 95% believe their teachers genuinely care about them.

Some schools are alternative schools. Specializing in helping at-risk students in grades 6-12, they assist students who have dropped out of school and returned, students who are in poor academic standing and/or behind in grade-level achievement.

Extracurricular activities (ECA) are abound in Arizona’s public schools. At the elementary level students can be involved in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) engagement, community service, athletics, student leadership, and fine arts.

At the high school level, in addition to the activities listed above, students can enjoy clubs that focus on arts, debate, theater, foreign language, agriculture, character education, ecology, and many more interests.

Finally, public schools also offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses which are rigorous college-level courses offered for students to receive the highest level of success in their secondary education. You’ll find AP courses in subjects such as advanced sciences, mathematics, history, government and politics, economics, statistics, foreign language and culture studies.

Myth #3: Public Schools Have Overcrowded Classrooms

Overcrowding has affected several school districts; however, it is interesting to see what

solutions these schools have developed to deal with the problem.

Many schools have added temporary trailers to create more classroom space until the Arizona Schools Facility Board approves construction for new school buildings.

Other schools have reopened buildings that they have previously closed. Some are adding new wings onto their buildings for additional classrooms.

But the most innovative solution is found in Mesa Public Schools. They have created an

ingenious teaching model to offset the problems caused by classroom overcrowding. “Team Teaching” involves a group of 3-5 educators who work with 60-90 students. Teachers share responsibilities and collaborate to plan scheduling and management of the body of students under their care. Mesa Public Schools views this method as a way to completely revive the teaching profession.

Relief from the crowding of schools can also be found in charter schools with their lower

teacher-to-student ratios. Some examples are the Academy of Tucson, an Arizona charter school, with an established ratio of 1:14. Empower College Prep High School has a teacher-to-student ratio of 13:1, whereas Legacy Traditional School has a ratio of 16:1.

Myth #4: Public Schools are Underfunded and Lack Resources

Funding for public schools is the largest part of the State of Arizona’s budget. Public schools receive their funding from federal, state, and local taxes, and the funding is dependent upon the number of students enrolled in the district. There are a few differences, however, in the way traditional schools and charter schools acquire their funds.

First, charter schools do not receive funds from local property taxes, nor can they levy a tax to pay for capital expenses such as buildings, equipment, research and development.

Second, traditional schools usually receive more federal funding than charter schools because they serve more special-needs and low-income students. They also offer a national free and reduced lunch program. Arizona’s income-based funding programs have given millions to both traditional and charter schools for capital expenditures; hard capital includes building construction, and soft capital is used to purchase textbooks, buses, and computers.

Additionally, schools can receive donations given by residents of the state through Arizona’s tax credit program (ARS 43-1089.01). Taxpayers can donate up to $200 for a single, or $400 for a married couple to help fund extracurricular activities and receive that money back as a tax credit.

Another program called desegregation funding, was dispensed to 18 Arizona school districts in 2017 to encourage integration efforts. In the amount of $211 million, the state awarded money to school districts under desegregation court orders or agreements with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to implement integration within their school districts.

Despite the difference in government funding, all public schools receive additional funds from state and local grants and corporate sponsorships.

Myth #5: Public Schools Don’t Support Individualized Learning

If your child has special learning needs, you’ll find the support you need in the public schools. Whether your situation involves English as a second language, a gifted child, or a child with other exceptional needs, public schools will have the services available to scale your child’s abilities to their potential.

For instance, ESS is the Exceptional Student Services program which ensures that schools comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). ESS also provides assistance for professional development, technical assistance, and family support. IDEA ensures that all students, regardless of their disability, have equal access to academic programs and post-school activities.

For students whose home language is not English, Arizona supports them with English Language Learner (ELL) programs. The Arizona Department of Education provides technical support and monitors compliance of these programs. Using a home evaluation language survey and an English proficiency test to evaluate their knowledge of English, students are placed in a specific Structured English Immersion (SEI) model. The models require students to receive four hours of English language development per day in a classroom setting with other ELL students.

Arizona is home to many gifted children as well. ARS §15-779 defines a gifted student as one who is of school age and has a superior intellect but is not given the opportunity to progress in a regular classroom, and needs gifted education services. Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Consolidated Grant helps school districts fund appropriate access to Advanced Placement programs, International Baccalaureate programs, and early college high school credit for advanced learners.

If you have a gifted child, you can explore the many resources offered here.

A child with special needs in school is evaluated for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Produced by a collaborative team of parents, teachers, special education professionals, and school leaders, The IEP specifies what type of services the student will receive and the setting where they will be obtained.

Rest assured that Arizona’s K-12 students’ education is met with the appropriate public school support to set them on the path to success in school and in life.

In Conclusion: Explore All Your School Choice Options

Consider how fortunate you are to live in a state with such numerous school options! Making the decision for the right school to match your child’s learning abilities isn’t easy, but after you explore the benefits in every type of school choice, you will most likely find just the right place for your child.

Look into traditional schools, private schools, virtual learning, and homeschooling. And don’t forget to explore the fine charter schools of Arizona. The Leman Academy of Excellence has schools in both Arizona and Colorado for grades K-8, as well as the Leman Virtual Academy which your child can access from home.
Contact the Leman Academy of Excellence to learn more about how they can support students’ success and build lifelong learners.

Ask your family, friends, and neighbors about charter schools, and you’ll receive an array of answers. Some perceptions will be positive, some negative. But it’s likely that several answers will be based on beliefs that simply aren’t true. So, let’s set the record straight and get the lay of the land.  

The five most common circulating myths about charter schools are:  

1. They’re private schools  
2. They take away funds from public schools  
3. Charter schools don’t have qualified teachers  
4. They only accept high-achieving students  
5. They lack accountability  

Are Charter Schools Private Schools? 

The short answer is “No, they are public schools.”  

Established by federal law, 20 U.S.C.§8061-8067, the Charter School Program (CSP) emerged to provide parents with alternative methods of learning from those found in traditional schools.  They’re publicly funded but independent institutions of education.  

Charter schools are funded by the same government financial resources as traditional schools,  with the exception of local property taxes. To make up that difference, most charter schools receive extra funds through grants and donations.  

Schools that are established by a charter are tuition-free and open to all children who want to attend. Additionally, they must accept students with disabilities and/or other special needs just like district schools. This includes adhering to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and civil rights laws.  

In contrast, private schools charge for tuition, giving parents the responsibility of funding their children’s education. In 2024, the national average tuition per year to attend a private high school was $15,344. The cost of an elementary school tuition per year averaged $12,311 per student. 

Furthermore, private schools have a rigorous enrollment process and they select the students they want to attend from their pool of applicants, whereas charter schools accept students on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of family income or special needs. If the number of charter school applicants surpasses the number of seats available, students are placed on a waiting list. They are then selected fairly via a lottery.  

Do Charter Schools Take Funds Away from Public Schools? 

Charter schools are public schools. They use the same funds that traditional schools use, and they receive federal and state tax revenues on a “per pupil” basis, just as with district school students.  When a student withdraws from a traditional school to attend a charter school, his or her portion of federal and state funds follows the student to the new school.  

Today, 7.5% of the nation’s K-12 public school students attend a charter school. Some public district school parents fear that when students switch to a charter school, they’re draining the financial resources of traditional schools. Their concern is that maintenance, infrastructure,  construction, and operations are being compromised when such funds leave their schools.  

While it’s true that students’ portion of funds follows them to their new school, these funds cover the day-to-day costs such as teachers’ salaries, textbooks, technology, and supplies. But charter schools don’t receive the states’ dedicated facilities funding which is provided to traditional public schools. They don’t benefit from voter-approved bond measures for capital improvements. District schools may hold elections for tax levies and raise the funds they need for school improvements.  

Charter Schools Have Less Qualified Teachers 

Charter schools are operated independently and are not subject to some of the regulations to which traditional schools must comply. A look at the historical development of charter schools puts this issue in perspective.  

The original idea of a charter school began with a professor of education who taught at the  University of Massachusetts Amherst. The reason he began chartered education was to give teachers an opportunity to use new teaching methods for certain subjects. It was meant to be 

experimental. This experiment evolved until 1991 when Minnesota was the first state to grant a charter for a whole school. However, the idea of it being experimental stuck, and the myth that charter school teachers were somehow less qualified emerged simply from trying something new.  

The truth is most charter school teachers hold bachelor’s degrees, and many have earned advanced degrees. In addition, chartered institutions utilize performance-based systems to retain successful teachers who provide high-quality teaching for their students.  

Heavily engaged activities within the walls of charter schools, such as professional development meetings, conferences, and events; all promote teachers’ continued education and maintain high teaching standards.  

Do Only High-Achieving Students Attend Charter Schools? 

The quality of education provided by most charter schools is exceptional. Students who perform poorly in district schools frequently find themselves excelling in charter schools. The very reason these schools were formed was to give students an alternative pedagogy under which most excel. Because of their tremendous success, it could seem to people (not familiar with charter schools) that they are cherry-picking the best students to attend.  

Charter schools do not — and by law cannot — selectively choose the students who apply to attend. They enroll students from all educational and financial backgrounds, all races, religions,  and cultural backgrounds. “There is no indication that charters are ‘skimming the cream’ of  students from the public schools.”  

Are Charter Schools Held Accountable for Their Performance?  

Yes, charter schools are held accountable by their state’s board of education. They must teach the core subjects and student performance is tested regularly. State legislations require that charter school students pass the same standardized tests as those students in traditional schools.  

In addition, authorizing bodies review charter schools’ performance to ensure standards are being met. If they’re not, the schools can be closed. These authorizing bodies, often called the charter school boards of education, work in collaboration with their state boards to ensure that the quality of education meets states’ standards.  

When metrics of performance standards are taken, both traditional and charter schools must publish the results. Hence, the state’s government, school leaders, staff, parents, and the community can view how well their schools are performing by going to the educational page of their state government’s website.  

Wrapping it Up 

Friends, family, and members of your community no doubt mean well when they tell you what they’ve heard about charter schools. However, many myths persist. Hopefully, you now know the truth about these top five most common myths.  

If you’re one of 45% of our nation’s parents who are considering sending their children to a new school, explore the charter schools in your area. You’ll find several outstanding schools that are free for your children to attend. For example, the Leman Academy of Excellence has schools located in both Arizona and Colorado. With a stellar approach in Classical Education, Leman’s teaching method is aligned exceptionally well with the natural learning process of children.  

See what charter schools are located in your area, and discover the possibilities they hold for your child’s academic success.