The Summit is Just the Beginning for Great Hearts Faculty

Before classes begin at Great Hearts academies across the Valley, faculty and staff members gathered to kick off the new school year at the Great Hearts Arizona Summit. This “homecoming” of sorts welcomed over 2,000 employees who celebrated the past, present, and future of the growing charter school network with their colleagues.

After being directed to their seats by school mascots in the large auditorium, the staff, filled with anticipation, were welcomed by Brandon Crowe, the Superintendent of Great Hearts Arizona. “We are so excited to have you here with us today and just overjoyed about the work that we’re about to undertake in this coming year,” announced Crowe from the podium. “In just a few short days, in 24 campuses spread out around this Valley, over 2,000 of us and our colleagues will welcome nearly 16,000 students into our hallways and into our classrooms.”

“Part of what I hope that you’ll hear about today is the story behind this enterprise,” expressed Crowe, who introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Dan Scoggin, one of the co-founders of Great Hearts.

“I’d like to tell some of the story of Great Hearts. And I say some, because it’s certainly beyond any one person to tell this complex story,” shared Scoggin. “Our story is made up of thousands of thousands of friendships, acts of perseverance, and goodwill over the past 23 years. Something is at work among us and our students that escapes summary or ready narrative. And I would say the view from up here… is unbelievable. Seeing you all here… 2,000 of you acting ready as a collective force for the good.”

Scoggin recounted the founding of the first academy in 2002, Veritas Prep, and the humble beginnings of the first campus, which welcomed 130 students, grades 7-9. He continued to narrate milestones throughout the years, noting the “scrappy startups” and origin stories of each campus. He recalled the addition of the lower grades with our Archway academies. “I think it’s probably the most significant organizational shift. More than half of our kids are lower school kids, and it’s changed what our Prep schools can be.”

“Today, Great Hearts serves over 30,000 students at 50 schools. We are in three states with brick-and-mortar schools… Great Hearts Online in four states. And we’re also supporting classical schools in other states. Great Hearts America has also launched some other fantastic ways and options for families,” shared Scoggin with the additions of Young Hearts Preschools and Great Hearts Christian Academies.

The two-hour program also included the 2025 Great Hearts Bard, fourth grader Lia McArthur from Archway Chandler, taking the stage with her winning recitation from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The arts continued on stage with performances from the Great Hearts Faculty Choir led by Elliot Liles from Cicero Prep and Peter Wilson from Great Hearts Anthem.

A sense of fun was brought out as Director of Athletics, Jon Rickey, gave the “roll call” for each academy, which included a small, playful roast of each academy, and met with thunderous cheers from the different sections in the audience. Human Resource Director, Julia Gillingham, continued the sense of comradery with a presentation honoring staff members, from tenured staff reaching beyond 20 years of service, to returning alumni, to first-year staff brand new to the organization.

Next, staff were treated to hear from one of their own, Archway Arete Headmaster, Cassie Mason, where she reflected on her personal journey as an educator and as a parent within the Great Hearts community and encouraged the educators not to hide their talents, but instead to flourish, choosing the hard, meaningful work, before leaving the staff with these words of encouragement: “This year, I sincerely hope you choose to let them know how good you are at what you do.”

Chief People Officer, Jerilyn Olson, gave the exhortation with a moving talk on vocation, love, and the often-unseen labor of classical education. She illustrated through personal stories how noble, transcendent work is carried out in ordinary, grounded acts of love and service. “Our mission is high, but our mission field is low. It is simply defined by the dirt between my own two feet,” she shared.

Crowe concluded the Summit with one last encouragement before the school year begins. “Part of what we are so excited to get to do here in this coming year is that each and every one of [a student’s] steps, each and every brick that that student walks upon from now… Each of those are due to the work that you put in to, invest, and pour into their lives. Thank you so much for doing that. Thank you for committing to it. This is going to be a terrific year.”

Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.