American Preparatory Academy (APA) is not only a pioneer in providing quality education but is also committed to the well-being of its staff and their families. As the school celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023, it stands as a testament to its remarkable journey, from humble beginnings to its status as one of Utah’s Top Workplaces in 2023.
From Humble Beginnings to Educational Excellence
In 2002, a group of devoted parents came together with a shared dream: to provide their children with better opportunities. Now, after two decades, American Preparatory Academy (APA) stands as an award-winning public charter school, serving over 5,000 students across seven campuses in Utah.
APA’s remarkable success is founded on its Classical Education Model, which places equal importance on rigorous academics and character cultivation, nurturing students to flourish.
Dedicated to a classical-liberal arts approach, APA aims to foster human growth by actively pursuing truth and virtue, all the while instilling the values of modesty and diligence. APA’s students excel academically, while also developing strong moral character and a desire to make constructive contributions to their communities.
APA’s classical education model is a distinguishing feature that sets it apart. Grounded in the time-honored traditions of seeking truth, moral excellence, and aesthetic appreciation, this model underscores the study of influential literature, Latin, and the liberal arts.
(American Prep. Academy, sponsored) Mr. Lingo teaching.
Prioritizing Life Balance
Carolyn Sharette, the Executive Director of APA, shares her perspective, stating, “Life balance for teachers became a goal of mine. I realized that we cannot help kids be happy and succeed if the teachers are stressed and unable to bring their best to school every day.”
Recognizing the significance of life balance, APA has implemented innovative initiatives to support its staff and promote a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. These initiatives include “full week breaks with weekends on each side for fall, midwinter in February, and for spring break,” Sharette explains. By following this plan, APA provides an environment that allows educators to recharge and maintain their well-being.
In regards to the day to day, Mrs. Sharette emphasized her commitment to supporting teachers: “We make sure they have all the materials they need so they can focus on our core business, which is teaching and learning.”
One standout initiative is the APA Bright Beginnings Childcare Program, a non-profit organization founded to provide affordable and high-quality childcare for APA’s staff members. This program not only helps staff achieve a better work-life balance, but the cost to the parents for child care is significantly less than standard local rates.
The success of this program is evident in its expansion to multiple childcare centers across APA campuses, including the recent addition of the West Valley 1 campus childcare facility, which has played a crucial role in retaining high-quality teaching staff.
Expanding Educational Reach
What began as a K-8 school in 2003 swiftly expanded to include ninth grade, and the demand for APA’s innovative approach to education became evident. Within a few years, APA had thousands of students on its waitlist, a testament to the institution’s unwavering commitment to excellence in education.
As APA celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023, the tuition-free public charter school has expanded its scope to serve 5,000 students on campuses in Draper, Salem, and two Title 1 campuses in West Valley City, offering education from kindergarten through 12th grade. This growth reaffirms APA’s dedication to delivering quality education to diverse communities.
Carolyn Sharette explained the rationale behind opening their second campus in West Valley City, stating, “We wanted to serve students from other countries who could benefit from our innovative school model.” APA’s devotion to reaching and empowering a diverse student population is a testament to its inclusive approach to education.
(American Prep. Academy, sponsored) Students playing volleyball.
Innovations in Education Learning Groups
APA is not just a pioneer in promoting life balance; it also stands at the forefront of educational innovation. One of its groundbreaking approaches is the achievement group model, which allows students to learn at their precise skill level in small groups of other students at the same level. This approach removes the stigma of being at a higher or lower learning level. This provides motivation and success for all students in the skills areas of reading and mathematics.
The achievement group model especially benefits Special Education students at APA and has consistently produced scores for the APA special education population above the State’s average. APA’s dedication to addressing students’ individual needs demonstrates its commitment to ensuring that every student has an opportunity to succeed and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Character Development and Leadership
APA’s holistic education extends to its Character Development program, focusing on building strong, positive character traits, confidence in social skills, and leadership qualities.
With over 170 character-building events held every year, Mrs. Sharette highlights one of APA’s goals: “We aim to help students become great scholars and exceptional citizens who have the confidence and the skills to positively contribute to the world they live in.”
Teacher Training and Professional Development
Recognizing the importance of continuously improving teaching practices, APA invests in comprehensive teacher training. The Teachers’ Training Institute, held annually before the school year starts, offers over 300 courses designed to enhance educators’ effectiveness in the classroom. This program is highly regarded in Utah and attracts educators from various institutions.
Carolyn Sharette emphasized the school’s resolve to providing teachers with the tools and training they need to excel. APA supports ongoing professional development training for its staff, This dedication to ongoing training and development demonstrates APA’s commitment to maintaining a high standard of excellence.
(American Prep. Academy, sponsored) Students and teacher in classroom dissecting a heart.
A Model for the Future
American Preparatory Academy’s success is not confined to its classrooms but extends to its life balance efforts for staff, innovative educational practices for its students, and implementation of a strong classical education model. As the educational landscape continues to evolve, APA serves as a model for other institutions, showcasing that prioritizing the well-being of educators and students, along with upholding the values of classical education, can lead to exceptional outcomes.
Mrs. Sharette envisions a world where more and more companies seamlessly integrate school campuses into their environments, creating a harmonious blend of work and education for families. In this integrated setting, “work and school come together for families, so families can be together more. Parents love their kids, they want to be more connected with their kids, they want to go to their programs, they want to have lunch with them and play with them during recess. After-school lessons could be brought to the school instead of parents driving to get their children to music lessons, or karate, for example. This would greatly enhance a working parent’s life balance and benefit employers as well.”
With flexible funding mechanisms coming to Utah via the school voucher program, companies can create schools for their employees’ children, either on their own or by partnering with education service providers. This vision represents a holistic approach to life balance, where the lines between work, family life, and a classical education model are deliberately blurred, fostering stronger connections and deeper involvement between parents and their children.
As APA continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly remain an inspiration for educators and families alike, proving that a comprehensive approach to education, grounded in classical education values, can yield remarkable results. APA’s legacy of creating better opportunities for children, combined with supporting life balance and classical education, makes it a standout institution in 2023 and beyond, reflecting the true spirit of a top workplace in education.
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