Legacy Traditional Schools has named Stephanie Becher to serve as the inaugural principal of its new west Surprise campus when it opens next fall.

The new campus for the popular Arizona network of “A”-rated public charter schools marks Legacy’s second in the Surprise area and 16th in Arizona, and will serve kindergarten through eighth grades beginning in 2020. 

Ms. Becher is a Surprise resident with strong community ties. She has been with Legacy’s current Surprise campus since 2017, originally as a kindergarten teacher and most recently as assistant principal.

Her husband is a sergeant with the Surprise Police Department.

“As a Legacy parent, educator and proud Surprise resident, I’m tremendously thankful for the opportunity to open this new campus in our community,” Ms. Becher said. “Surprise is where I began my teaching career. Two of my daughters attend Legacy, and my youngest is counting down the days until she gets to join the Legacy family as a kindergartner. This school has truly become home for our family, and I’m honored to get to help bring a world-class education experience to even more students and families in Surprise.”

The new West Surprise school is scheduled to have a groundbreaking in January. The 83,000 square-foot campus will be located west of Loop 303 at Cactus Road and Cotton Lane. 

Prior to joining Legacy, Ms. Becher worked for nine years as a kindergarten teacher at Candeo Schools in Peoria (2015-2017) and Mountain View High School in Waddell (2009-2015). She is currently working toward the completion of a doctoral program for a degree in organizational leadership from Grand Canyon University.

“Stephanie has been an integral part of the Legacy family since she started with us in 2017, and a valuable part of the Surprise community for even longer,” Legacy Superintendent Nicole Kirkley said. “She is a passionate educator and a proven leader who is known for creating a positive experience for all students and staff. We’re fortunate to have her at the helm of our newest campus, which will provide another high-quality, A-rated public education option for West Valley families.”

Legacy Traditional Schools is known for its proven, accelerated academic model and back-to-basics curriculum that challenges students academically and encourages them to be active members of their communities.

In addition to an accelerated, rigorous curriculum, Legacy’s new campus will offer:

• Tuition-free classes
• Mozart Performing Arts and Momentum Fitness programs for students in Grades 3 through 6;
• Free half-day kindergarten
• Legacy Kids Care, a structured before- and after-school enrichment program
• “A”-Rated District by the Arizona State Board of Education

The schools were voted the top Charter Network by Parents for five consecutive years in Ranking Arizona.

In 2019-2020, more than 20,000 students across 18 campuses in Arizona (greater Phoenix, northwest Tucson, Maricopa and Casa Grande) and Nevada (North Las Vegas, southwest Las Vegas and Henderson) were attending Legacy schools.

Enrollment applications are being accepted now for the 2020-2021 school year.

Visit surprise.legacytraditional.org to apply.