The Origin Story of Heritage Academy: Pioneering School Choice in Arizona

In the early days, the Mesa Public school system in Arizona offered limited choices for students and their families. It was a one-size-fits all approach, with little room for customization or alternative educational paths. Mr. Earl Taylor, the founder of Heritage Academy, recognized the need for change and became a vocal advocate for a more flexible and dynamic educational landscape that would provide students with a range of options to meet their diverse needs.

The Need for School Choice in Arizona
Driven by a desire to teach the rising generation the ideals and values of our Founding Fathers which have been long since forgotten, Earl Taylor embarked on a mission to revolutionize education in Arizona. He recognized that the existing school system, with its rigid structure and limited alternatives, was insufficient for preparing students for success building a civil society. He knew that it was crucial to families a choice in education. 

Mr. Taylor believed in the power of empowering parents and students to make informed decisions about their education. He saw school choice as a fundamental right, allowing families to find the educational setting that best aligns with their values, beliefs, and goals. Recognizing the need to lay the foundation for a robust school choice movement, Mr. Taylor founded Heritage Academy as an optional high school.  His efforts and others were instrumental in pioneering the most expansive system of school choice in the US. 

The Birth of Heritage Academy
Through his involvement with the National Center for Constitutional Studies and his experience teaching the classes on the constitution adults. Mr Taylor gained a deep appreciation and understanding for the constitution and the principles it teaches. Mr. Taylor believed that these principles should be taught to children and proposed the introduction of these foundational principles to younger generations. He petitioned the local school board to do a better job of incorporating these teachings into the curriculum of Arizona schools but was largely ignored and dismissed. Teachers and the school board argued that they were already teaching the principles of the constitution and so there was no need for additional education in this area.

But Mr. Taylor was determined. Having learned about the recent charter legislation passed in Arizona, he saw an opportunity to bring the ideals and values of the Founding Fathers to high school students. He felt that as students learned these ideals they would gain a deeper appreciation for the principles America was built upon to be more free and prosperous. And by leveraging the charter legislation Earl and his team laid the groundwork for Heritage Academy.

Heritage received the fourth charter in the first year for charter schools in Arizona. Being so new, the movement to establish Heritage Academy was faced with numerous challenges. Everything from securing a facility to hiring teachers and creating a strong Parent-Teacher Organization with dedicated parents, they worked tirelessly to create an educational environment that would embody the principles of choice, freedom, and academic excellence. But even with all the issues and challenges in their way, in 1994 Heritage Academy opened its doors to students and now the school has become a leader in the charter school community. 

Overcoming Challenges
Unfortunately the challenges facing the school did not end when they opened their doors. Once the school was open, the next step was to educate the community about charter schools and their advantages. Historically up to that point, charter schools were designed to cater to at-risk students. Students that typically had a difficult time in public school were placed in charter schools. The lower class sizes and flexibility of the schools, provided a better environment for at-risk students to be as successful as they could. 

This history created a disconnect between Heritage Academy and the parents in the community. Many parents didn’t understand Heritage Academy’s purpose and believed it was also a school that catered to at-risk students. This perception created a public image that needed to be addressed in order for the school to be successful.
Fortunately, Mr. Taylor and the Heritage Academy team worked tirelessly to address this misconception among others that persisted in the community.

Through their work and connections, they were able to educate the community about Heritage Academy and this “new-wave” of charter schools. Some of the misconceptions they were able to address included:

1. Building a rigorous curriculum that earned educational accreditation and transferability to other schools and colleges/universities
2. Obtaining state funding to ensure parents wouldn’t have to pay tuition for their students
3. Clarifying that Heritage Academy was not affiliated with any religion or church

Because of their hard work, they were able to show the community was able to better understand Heritage Academy’s purpose and goals and the school quickly grew to one of the most successful charter schools not just in Arizona, but the entire country.

The Impact and Legacy of Heritage Academy
Heritage Academy has left a lasting impact on the education landscape of Arizona. As one of the pioneers of the charter school movement in the state, Heritage Academy has provided an excellent educational option that emphasizes the values and principles of the Founding Fathers to build a civil society. Mr. Taylor’s vision and determination have shaped the lives of countless students, preparing them to be active and informed citizens.

Heritage Academy stands as a testament to the power of school choice and innovation in education. Additionally, its impact extends far beyond its own walls. As one of the early charter schools in Arizona, it has paved the way for other schools to embrace the charter model. And since 1994, Heritage Academy has prepared thousands of students for college and career trajectories. With multi-generational graduates moving through the school, the positive impact the school has had in the community is clear. 

To learn more about Heritage Academy, school choice, and how charter schools can benefit your children, please visit us at heritageacademyaz.com.

Listen to the correlating episode here.

Watch the correlating episode here.