Civic Leadership Academy
Civic Leadership Academy
A Proposed Tuition-Free Public Charter High School | Grades 9‑12
South Phoenix / Laveen · Proposed Fall 2028
Shape What
Comes Next.
Preparing students to lead their futures and strengthen their communities.
Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) is a proposed tuition-free public charter high school being designed alongside students, families, and community partners in South Phoenix. Rigorous academics. Meaningful, real-world learning. The knowledge and agency to lead.
Lead Your Future.
Strengthen Your Community.
A School Taking Shape With The South Phoenix Community
Tuition-Free Public Charter High School
Rooted In South Phoenix
Community-Designed Learning
Proposed To Open Fall 2028
Our Mission
Civic Leadership Academy develops every scholar’s capacity to lead by building mastery, agency, and applying knowledge to meaningful challenges through rigorous, relevant learning that produces strong academic and civic outcomes.
Our Vision
Every graduate is prepared to lead their future and strengthen their community.
The CLA Experience
Four Key Design Elements of Our School Model
01
Challenge-Based Learning
Students apply academic knowledge to authentic, meaningful challenges.
03
Leadership Advisory
Every scholar builds the skills, habits, self-knowledge, and relationships needed to lead.
02
Competency & Mastery-Based Learning
Students demonstrate what they know and can do, with feedback and support to reach mastery.
04
Community-Connected Learning & Civic Leadership
Students learn with and from their community while developing the capacity to participate, contribute, and lead.
Meet Our Founder
Dr. Sara A. Johnson
School Founder & CEO
Dr. Johnson brings more than a decade of experience in secondary education and school improvement, including leadership at Arcadia High School and BASIS Scottsdale. She holds an Ed.D. and M.Ed. from Arizona State University.
Questions As CLA Takes Shape
What Makes CLA Different?
CLA connects rigorous academics with meaningful, real-world challenges, helping students build the knowledge, confidence, and agency to lead. Through mastery-based learning, leadership advisory, and community-connected experiences, students learn to apply what they know to strengthen their futures and their communities.
When Is CLA Planning To Open?
CLA is planning to open Fall 2028, subject to charter approval.
Will CLA Charge Tuition?
No. CLA will be a tuition-free public charter high school.
Where Will The School Be Located?
CLA is being designed for South Phoenix / Laveen.
Help Shape What Comes Next
Join The Founding Governing Board
Help shape CLA’s future through founding board service. Bring your experience and commitment to the South Phoenix / Laveen community. This volunteer, unpaid role involves approximately 8–10 hours per month.