About Us

Self Development Academy is based on a belief that free public education should be rich with exploration, discovery, and connections to everyday life. Learning should connect the mind and heart of a child, while also forming relevant applications to the world around them.

Twenty years and four campuses later, we have grown throughout the Greater Phoenix area. But we have never outgrown this core belief.

At each campus and in every classroom, caring and experienced teachers help scholars learn to think critically and creatively. An accelerated curriculum infuses traditional subjects with science, technology, engineering, mathematics, music, philosophy, literature and language. Through personalized learning and discovery, each child grows and thrives, becoming confident and successful inside – and outside – the classroom.

Students are encouraged to ask What if? What else? 

Beyond mastering a concept, they are able to explore what they can do with newfound knowledge.

Leadership and service opportunities build four important character traits: respect, responsibility, readiness and resilience. It’s how our students learn to hold themselves to high expectations as good citizens in our schools, communities, and nation.

The success of our rigorous academic program is attributed to the passion, care, and pedagogical acumen of our classroom teachers, who are among the best teachers in Arizona (according to Niche.com).

Our world-class educators utilize the intellectual, social, and emotional prowess of young people and are able to help every student achieve high goals and realize their full potential. Our teachers also have rich subject area expertise, which means they provide insights and context that help subjects come to life. Equal parts mentor, coach, counselor, and instructor, our teachers are passionate about helping young people achieve success.

In addition to our advanced and accelerated curriculum, SDA achieves high marks in areas other elementary charter schools do not come close to, including: