Chandler Prep Ranked #1 School in Arizona

Each year, the Arizona Department of Education and the Arizona State Board of Education releases a state report card that gives a snapshot of how Arizona schools are performing by assigning a letter grade based on various factors, including core class proficiency, graduation rates, and more. While all of our 6-12 prep schools earned high marks, averaging A-ratings, Chandler Prep holds the distinguished position as the top-ranked 6-12 school in the state, surpassing 126 other 6-12 district and public charter schools in Arizona.

Chandler Prep, who is also celebrating its 20^th year, is thrilled with this state-wide recognition, and according to Headmaster John-Paul Poppleton, it is the realization of an ambitious objective they set years prior. “Three years ago, our faculty set out to be the top ranked 6-12 school in Arizona. This year we achieved that goal,” announced Poppleton. “The state ranks proficiency and growth in every public school in Arizona. While I am excited about our proficiency achievement, what I am most proud of is our student growth. High student growth means that students are better off having been taught by our CPA faculty.”

“We are immensely proud of what Chandler Prep has accomplished this year — not only earning the top score in the state for letter grades but also providing a robust classical, liberal arts education that fosters intellectual and moral formation for all of its students,” shared Mac Esau, the Great Hearts Arizona Executive Director of Upper Schools. “These tremendous outcomes are the result of a team — from Headmaster Poppleton to his instructional leaders to every teacher on campus — that is working tirelessly for the good of their school community.”

Poppleton attributes this achievement to the academy’s primary goal of developing the whole student. “Our classical model calls students forward to excellence in academics, arts, and athletics,” he explained. “The fact that we achieved this on our terms, without alterations to the Great Hearts curriculum, shows that the type of education that broadens student perspectives about the world, that is the education that forms lifelong learners, is the best preparation for meaningful success.”

Brandon Crowe, Superintendent of Great Hearts Arizona commended the team for their hard work and steadfastness. “The Chandler Prep leadership, faculty, and staff have done a tremendous job providing families the very best education—one that deepens the moral and intellectual virtue of young people,” said Crowe. “It is little surprise that a result of this commitment to Classical education yields such strong academic results.”

As Crowe pointed out, these academic results are a natural result of the education a scholar receives at Great Hearts. The achievement is looked at as byproduct rather than a benchmark. The stated purpose of Great Hearts is to cultivate the minds and hearts of students through the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. The academic success from our scholars at Chandler Prep is considered a welcomed consequence of this pursuit.

And according to Poppleton, it is a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of his greathearted students, faculty, and of course, parents. “This could not be done without the continued support we receive from our parents,” shared Poppleton.

“As we move forward, Chandler Prep is renewing our commitment to excellence. We look forward to celebrating our ranking with the entire Chandler Prep family,” added Poppleton. And with some well-deserved celebration, Great Hearts academies will continue to offer a quality, classical education that everyone deserves

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