Honoring a legacy of educational excellence that continues to inspire us today
The Leona Group is named after Leona Keene Seeger, an extraordinary educator whose dedication to children and innovative teaching methods left an indelible mark on education.
Leona Keene Seeger was born in 1891 and devoted her life to education at a time when opportunities for women in the field were limited. She believed that every child, regardless of background, deserved access to quality education and the chance to reach their full potential.
Her philosophy centered on the idea that education should be personalized, nurturing, and focused on developing the whole child—not just academic skills, but character, creativity, and a love of learning that would last a lifetime.
"Every child has a gift. It is our sacred duty as educators to help them discover and develop that gift."
— Leona Keene Seeger
These principles continue to guide everything we do at Leona Group Schools. When Dr. William Coats founded our organization, he chose to honor Leona's memory because her values aligned perfectly with his vision for what public education could be.
From humble beginnings to Arizona's trusted name in charter education
Dr. William Coats founded The Leona Group in Michigan with a revolutionary vision: to create public charter schools that could offer the personalized attention of private schools while remaining free and accessible to all families.
Recognizing Arizona's supportive environment for educational innovation, The Leona Group opened its first Arizona schools. The desert Southwest proved to be fertile ground for our mission of educational excellence.
During this period, we grew from a handful of schools to over 20 campuses across Arizona. Each new school maintained our commitment to small class sizes, individualized attention, and a safe, nurturing environment.
All Leona Group Schools achieved accreditation from Cognia (formerly AdvancED), a globally recognized mark of quality that validates our commitment to continuous improvement and educational excellence.
With 28 campuses, over 7,500 students, and 750+ dedicated staff members, The Leona Group continues to fulfill our founder's vision. Twenty of our schools have earned A or B ratings from the Arizona Department of Education, and we remain committed to redefining what's possible in public education.
The principles that have guided us from day one
We hold ourselves to the highest standards in everything we do, from curriculum to facilities to student support.
Every decision we make is guided by our genuine care for students, families, and our community.
We continuously seek better ways to educate, inspire, and prepare students for the challenges ahead.
We believe education thrives when schools, families, and communities work together as true partners.
Experience the difference that 25+ years of educational excellence can make for your child.
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