Our History

In 1996 Michigan approved its first legislation establishing public funding of alternative forms of public education. Under the vision of Dr. William Coats, The Leona Group was formed to provide a quality choice in education to students who were not being effectively served by the traditional public school system. Leona's flagship school, Cesar Chavez Academy, opened in this inaugural year. This impressive academy serves more than 1,500 students in grades K-12 on three campuses in Southwest Detroit. Of these students, 89% are Hispanic, 89% receive free and reduced lunch, 93% graduate and 30% are English Language Learners (ELL).

With its proven track record in Michigan, The Leona Group looked to establish itself in Arizona in 1997. Arizona was an area that demonstrated tremendous need for a new kind of public school education. The Arizona State Legislature had approved public funding for charter schools in 1995 and put in place a dedicated and progressive State Board for Charter Schools. There was also strong support from the business community. The Leona Group opened five charter high schools in the metro-Phoenix area. The Leona Group formed its Arizona division and officially opened its second corporate headquarters in Phoenix in 2000.

The Leona Group broadened its reach to serve students in Ohio beginning with Eagle Academy, Toledo, in 2001. One year later, three additional schools in Toledo were opened. We now have 12 campuses in Ohio serving over 1,700 students: eight in the Toledo area, one in Cleveland, one in Cincinnati and two in Columbus.

In 2002, Leona opened its first Indiana charter school in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 2006, Leona Group began operations in both Florida and hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, Louisiana. To date, Leona Group provides a quality educational choice to nealy 20,000 students in 55 schools across five states.

The Leona Group is proud of all of its schools. They provide a safe, focused, inclusive educational atmosphere– a nurturing place for young people to learn and grow – for young people who many times come from challenging, urban environments. We are reaching these students, as evidenced by recent state test results which indicate that students in Leona Group schools continue to make significant academic progress and show positive, responsible growth.