The original scholars of the GIA building who promoted 8th grade, at that time called The Odyssey Preparatory Academy, graduated high school last year, in 2020. In recognition, we thought we’d take a look back at the origins of GIA and the road taken to get where we are today.
It seems long ago now, but in August 2013 the building at 950 N Peart Road opened under The Odyssey Preparatory Academy’s charter (TOPA). The charter holders opened the campus for their investors, knowing it wasn’t a long-term commitment. The first day the building doors were opened, five teachers, a principal and receptionist were on campus to greet just 84 scholars.
As Odyssey opened their doors in Casa Grande, their other 3 campuses were in full swing in the far west valley of Phoenix. Patty Messer was their academic coach and curriculum coordinator for their Goodyear and Buckeye campuses. Patty’s 25 years in gifted education drew her to the charter world after working in various public school districts during that time. Odyssey’s charter holders knew the Casa Grande campus needed more hands on deck as she was tasked with boosting enrollment.
The original building was able to hold 500 students, but the first floor was the only place with a certificate of occupancy in 2013. Thus the 84 scholars that first day made their way to one of five classrooms. Mr. John Salazar was teaching not only art, but PE and supervised recess for all 84 scholars as well.
During the school year the charter holders knew it was time for them to find someone interested in the campus to write their own charter so they could break free of a location that was becoming difficult to maintain, and focus on their Buckeye and Goodyear campuses. When asked if she was interested, Patty Messer was astounded. She had never considered writing a charter and opening her own school. After discussing with her husband, she decided this was a challenge to tackle! The following 18-months Patty was knee deep in research and writing a charter application that was nothing short of 500 pages.
She continued to work for Odyssey in her capacity as an academic coach that eventually led her to be the principal of the Casa Grande school for school year 2014-2015. She worked every weekend writing and revising the business, academic and operational sections of the charter application. She worked with consultants and had friends and colleagues read the sections to ensure it aligned with everything she wanted to accomplish. Part of the application process is an interview with a panel. She and her academic coach, Kristin Boatright, sat through several hours of questioning and clarifying as each section was dissected by the panel.
December 2015 arrived as Patty and Kristin sat in the Arizona State Board of Charter Schools monthly meeting waiting for their turn to be recommended for authorization. Patty stood at the podium fielding question after question about the application. When the voting began, and the resulting approval ensued, GIA could finally hit the ground running!
July 2016 was the first official day that The Grande Innovation Academy opened its doors. This was technically year 3 for the school and enrollment had climbed to 225. The 2nd floor was now certified to be occupied and staffing increased to 20. Year three jumped to 400 scholars and year four topped out near 700. As year six ensues, GIA has 815 scholars and 100 employees.
