Legacy Traditional School's back-to-basics approach to education has attracted almost 600 students to its new northwest-side campus.
The $12 million charter school opened this school year on West Cortaro Farms Road near North Thornydale Road.
Since opening its first school in Maricopa in 2007, Legacy has expanded to include schools in Casa Grande and Queen Creek. Campuses in Avondale, Chandler and the one in Tucson, which has a capacity of 840 students, all started serving students this school year.
Bill Gregory, who founded Legacy with Aaron Hale, said a school was built in northwest Tucson to meet demand.
Parents had contacted the charter school about opening a K-8 campus in the Tucson area, Gregory said.
Families want more educational options, he said.
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"We are a different choice for parents and students," Gregory said.
Legacy stresses a curriculum that focuses on reading, writing and math at an accelerated pace.
Students are taught material one grade higher than they're in, Legacy Superintendent Bill Bressler said.
Teachers offer tutoring before and after school if students need help.
Expectations also run high for student attire and behavior.
Students wear red, white or blue polo shirts with their choice of khakis or jean pants, shorts or skirts.
Direct instruction is the preferred method of teaching at Legacy.
All of Legacy's classrooms look nearly identical, with the desks in neat rows that face dry-erase boards.
Teachers stand at the front of the classrooms.
"We believe the teacher is the expert in the classroom. The teacher should be the one doing the instruction," Principal Paula Jensen said.
The school also offers art, physical education and music.
Legacy's Tucson campus features playgrounds, sports fields - the school offers athletic programs for its middle school students - and a gymnasium with a full-size basketball court and performing-arts stage.
Jensen opened a charter school in Oracle 10 years ago and joined the Legacy staff after attending a meeting for prospective parents with her daughter-in-law. Jensen's grandson attends Legacy.
She applied to serve as principal because she supports the school's teaching philosophy.
School officials interviewed up to 15 candidates for each open position at the school, Gregory said.
Around 45 teachers and staffers work at the Tucson campus.
Parents also are a constant presence at the school: Families are asked to volunteer at the school in some fashion a minimum of 12 hours per school year.
The school has its own version of a parent-teacher association. The first PALS meeting, or Parents Assisting Legacy Schools, attracted 100 parents, Jensen said.
Legacy's high expectations are a big draw for families.
"I love the curriculum and the fact that the kids could progress faster and at their own pace," parent Annelise Kimball said.
Kimball's three children, who are in kindergarten and fifth and eighth grades, previously attended other charter and district schools.
She opted to send them to Legacy after meeting the administration and staffers at a parent meeting.
"I felt like they are very invested in helping my children to succeed," she said. "And, as a parent, I'd be invested with them."
Legacy Tucson
Legacy Traditional School still is enrolling for the 2011-12 school year. Go to www.legacytraditional.org/tucson to learn more.
Contact reporter Andrea Rivera at arivera@azstarnet.com or 807-8430.
