The Arizona Charter Schools Association on Thursday celebrated a quarter-century of charter schools and educational choice with its 25th Anniversary Gala at the Arizona Biltmore.
The Association was honored to welcome as its keynote speaker tennis legend Andre Agassi, a longtime philanthropist and charter champion who has dedicated nearly two decades to expanding educational opportunities for kids and families across the country – particularly in low-income and underserved communities.
Agassi joined Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman to help celebrate the achievements and contributions of Arizona’s public charter schools.
“Students in every community deserve a great education, and charter schools play an essential role in helping all young people develop the tools they need to unlock their fullest potential,” said Agassi, a co-managing partner of the Turner-Agassi Charter School Facilities Fund. “I salute the Arizona Charter Schools Association on this impressive milestone, and congratulate the incredible charters, supporters, and partners who are fueling this inspiring movement.”
In 1994, Arizona became the 11th state in the nation to enact a charter school law. Today, enrollment in Arizona public charter schools is at an all-time high with more than 200,000 students attending one of over 550 charter schools statewide. The students are as unique and diverse as the schools they attend. Arizona charter schools educate a majority-minority enrollment, with 56 percent of charter students identifying as non-White.
“For 25 years, public charter schools have played an integral role in ensuring that every Arizona family – regardless of zip code or income – has access to a quality education,” said Jake Logan, President and CEO of the Arizona Charter Schools Association. “Today, public support remains as strong as ever – with nearly 1 in 5 Arizona students enrolled in a public charter school. The continued growth and success of these schools reaffirms what our charter pioneers understood a quarter-century ago: Parents know best when it comes to picking the right school for their child.”
Multiple factors account for the success of charter schools in Arizona, but leading factors cited by parents include the student-centered focus of charter schools and their academic performance. Arizona now boasts charter schools of every size and specialty, including some of the nation’s premier college prep academies, STEM specialty schools, traditional, back-to-basics schools and much more.
“We recognize that this milestone is a credit to the visionaries, charter teachers, school leaders, advocates and policymakers who for more than two decades have embraced and supported public charter schools and their role in improving the education landscape,” Logan added. “To these champions: thank you. We look forward to working with you as we continue to raise the academic bar and deliver high-quality educational options for Arizona families.”
For media inquiries, please contact Jamar Younger, jamar@azcharters.org or 602-802-5516.
