“My why begins with a simple belief: every child has the capacity to lead. I want students to leave us prepared not only for what comes next, but with the knowledge, confidence, character, and sense of purpose to shape what comes next for themselves, their families, and their communities.”
Dr. Sara Johnson has called the South Phoenix/Laveen area home for the past three years, while spending the last ten years serving students and families as a school leader in the greater Phoenix area. Throughout her career, she has seen how powerful schools can be when they combine high expectations and strong outcomes with meaningful relationships and deep community partnership.
Dr. Johnson has spent more than a decade in education, beginning her career as a teacher before moving into school and systems leadership. After relocating to Arizona in 2016, she joined BASIS Scottsdale first as an English teacher and then became Director of Academic Programs, supporting students and educators across grades 4-12 and helping to strengthen academic programming and student outcomes.
For the last seven years, Dr. Johnson has served as Assistant Principal at Arcadia High School in Scottsdale Unified School District, where her leadership spanned academics and instruction, student support systems, school culture, and operations. During her tenure, she contributed to significant schoolwide outcomes, including moving the school from a B to an A rating, increasing the graduation rate from approximately 92% to 96%, and reducing student discipline by approximately 30%.
Having worked in schools where families actively sought enrollment and where demand often exceeded available seats, Dr. Johnson knows firsthand the power of creating a school experience that families believe in and want for their children. She wants to bring those lessons home, not by simply building a school for South Phoenix, but by designing the school with the community.
Dr. Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Secondary Education, and Anthropology from William Paterson University, her master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Arizona State University, and her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University.
