Carolyn Sharette: 25 Years of Inspiring Leadership and Expanding Educational Excellence at American Preparatory Academy

Carolyn Sharette’s journey into educational leadership is marked by dedication, innovation, and a profound commitment to student success. As founder and superintendent of American Preparatory Academy (APA), she transformed a singular vision into Utah’s largest charter school network, celebrated for academic rigor, classical education, and patriotic values. In this extensive conversation, Carolyn shares insights from her path—from nursing and motherhood to pioneering educational reform.

PoliticIt Radio – If We Teach Them Now

Early Life: Nursing, Motherhood, and Early Education Insights

Growing up in Michigan, Carolyn earned her nursing degree and maintained her licensure even while raising seven children. Her deep involvement in her children’s educational journeys began as her family moved between Michigan, Texas, and Colorado. Early interactions with public education revealed troubling inefficiencies, such as her children repeatedly reading the same literature across multiple grades. These inconsistencies sparked Carolyn’s commitment to data-driven, standards-based education.

Founding Vision: The Birth of American Preparatory Academy

In Colorado, Carolyn’s interest in education deepened. After founding Plat River Academy, a classical charter school, she actively sought the best teaching practices nationwide, ultimately embracing direct instruction methods and the science of reading. In 2002, a family move brought her to Utah, where she found a lack of schools aligning with her educational philosophy. Driven to action, Carolyn founded American Preparatory Academy in Draper in 2003, laying the groundwork for educational excellence and future expansion.

Serving Diverse Communities: APA’s West Valley City Initiative

As APA’s reputation grew, so did the waitlist—approaching nearly 10,000 by 2008. Recognizing an acute need among refugee and immigrant communities in West Valley City, Carolyn spearheaded the creation of the American Preparatory Academy School for New Americans. Her inclusive approach, which assessed and taught students at their precise instructional levels, transformed educational outcomes for students who previously struggled within traditional grade-based systems.

APA’s Vision: Equity, Excellence, and Data-Driven Instruction

Carolyn firmly believes that effective teaching transcends socioeconomic and cultural barriers. APA’s instructional model, grounded in cognitive science, enables all students to achieve mastery in essential skills. This commitment earned APA Stanford University’s prestigious “gap-busting” recognition, distinguishing APA as Utah’s sole recipient for significant achievement gap reductions in reading and math.

Patriotic Education: Preparing Students for American Citizenship

Patriotic education at APA reinforces civic responsibility and gratitude for America’s opportunities. Daily practices, including reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and learning foundational American ideals, cultivate respect for democratic principles. Carolyn emphasizes how immigrant students especially resonate with patriotic education, often demonstrating exceptional enthusiasm for participating fully in American life.

Academic Excellence: The Science of Reading at APA

APA’s reading instruction exemplifies Carolyn’s commitment to evidence-based methods. The science of reading framework, specifically the Reading Mastery curriculum, ensures students progress according to their individual abilities. Intensive, small-group instruction facilitates remarkable outcomes, demonstrated by APA’s 95% sixth-grade reading proficiency rate in 2024, significantly surpassing state averages.

Supporting English Language Learners

APA’s individualized model proves especially effective for English language learners, allowing students to develop proficiency at a personalized pace. Carolyn advocates sustained instructional support beyond third-grade benchmarks to ensure continuous student growth.

Measurable Success: Scholarships and First-Generation Graduates

APA’s robust approach yields impressive results. A recent graduating class from the West Valley campus earned $4.8 million in scholarships, with 72% of graduates becoming first-generation college attendees. These outcomes underscore APA’s successful integration of academic rigor and character development.

Advice for Educators and Policymakers

Carolyn’s advice emphasizes unwavering fidelity to cognitive science and student-centered data analysis. She urges educators and policymakers to prioritize effective methods and resist adult-centric or politically motivated distractions, encapsulated by APA’s motto: “We do what’s best for kids.”

Conclusion: A Beacon of Hope in Education

Carolyn Sharette’s impactful career serves as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of passionate, data-driven leadership. APA’s enduring success in academic excellence, patriotic education, and equity provides an inspirational blueprint for educators nationwide, reinforcing that remarkable outcomes follow when the focus remains steadfastly on students.