American Leadership Academy

American Leadership Academy (ALA) is a regional group of tuition-free public charter schools headquartered in Mesa, Arizona which provides education for Pre-K-12 students. ALA currently consists of over 30 schools located in Arizona, North Carolina, and South Carolina; as of the 2019–2020 school year, enrollment exceeded 10,500 students. ALA's Vision is to: Learn. Lead. Change the World! ALA's Mission Statement is to: In support of the family, provide the best educational experience to as many students as possible in a moral and wholesome environment. ALA's core values are their R.A.I.S.E. values (Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Service, Excellence). There is no known official affiliation between American Leadership Academy and the K-12 school of the same name in Spanish Fork, Utah. ALA's current district needs are fulfilled by Charter One, an education management organization, which was founded in 2018. Charter One is currently owned by SGW Holdings, LLC. History American Leadership Academy, Inc. was founded by Ryan Christensen and Glenn Way in 2009. ALA's first school was its Gilbert Elementary location, and it opened in 2009. On June 18, 2025, Shane Smeed, a member of ALA Arizona Board of Directors, resigned from the ALA Arizona Board. Smeed did not offer a reason for resigning, but thanked the board for their service and said that he enjoyed his time on the board. Campuses and locations Arizona Schools Queen Creek Campus Referred to as "The Home of the ALA Patriots," this campus is located on the southwest corner of E. Chandler Heights Blvd. and S. Hawes Rd. in Queen Creek, Arizona and features the following schools: American Leadership Academy - Queen Creek High School American Leadership Academy - Queen Creek Elementary School Ironwood Campus This campus, known also as "The Home of the ALA Warriors," is located on W. Combs Rd. (between S. Rittenhouse Rd. and N. Gantzel Rd.) in Queen Creek, Arizona and features the following schools: American Leadership Academy - Ironwood High School American Leadership Academy - Ironwood Elementary School Gilbert North Campus Dubbed as "The Home of the ALA Eagles," this campus is located on the northwest corner of S. Higley Rd. and the Santan Freeway in Gilbert, Arizona and features the following schools: American Leadership Academy - Gilbert North High School American Leadership Academy - Gilbert North Elementary School West Foothills Campus This campus is known as "The Home of the Guardians," this campus is located West of AZ Loop 303 on Olive Ave in Waddell, Arizona and features the following schools: American Leadership Academy - West Foothills High School American Leadership Academy - West Foothills Elementary School Mesa North Campus This campus is known as "The Home of the Mavericks," this campus is located on the southwest corner of N. Recker Rd. and E. Thomas Road in Mesa, Arizona and features the following schools: American Leadership Academy - Mesa North High School American Leadership Academy - Mesa North Elementary School Applied Technologies Campus This campus is known as "The Home of the Pathfinders," this campus is located on E. Pecos Rd in Mesa, Arizona and features the following school(s): American Leadership Academy - Applied Technologies Pre-K and 7-12 Other Locations There are also several independent schools not located on a major campus. They are as follows: American Leadership Academy - Gilbert Elementary American Leadership Academy - Gilbert South Elementary American Leadership Academy - Mesa Elementary American Leadership Academy - Signal Butte Elementary American Leadership Academy - San Tan Valley Elementary American Leadership Academy - Anthem South Elementary American Leadership Academy - Virtual K-12 American Leadership Academy - Virtual Sierra Vista Learning Center North Carolina Schools Johnston Campus This campus is located on US-70 BUS W in Clayton, North Carolina and features the following schools: American Leadership Academy - Johnston High School American Leadership Academy - Johnston Elementary School South Carolina Schools Lexington Campus This campus is located on Innovation Place in Lexington, South Carolina and features the following schools: American Leadership Academy - Lexington High School American Leadership Academy - Lexington Elementary School Other Locations in the Carolinas American Leadership Academy - Coastal Pre-K-10 American Leadership Academy - Charlotte Pre-K-6 References External links American Leadership Academy ALA Schools