Great Hearts Taps Veteran Educator for New Apache Junction Academy

APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. – March 31, 2026 – Great Hearts Academies has named Conal Tanner, a seasoned educator with a diverse international background, as the founding headmaster for its newest campus, Great Hearts Blossom Rock. The tuition-free, K-5 classical academy is slated to open in the fall of 2027, becoming the 25th Great Hearts school in Arizona and anchoring the educational offerings of the new Blossom Rock master-planned community in Apache Junction.

The appointment signals a significant step in the charter network's continued expansion into Arizona's fast-growing East Valley, offering a new option for families seeking a classical education model rooted in the liberal arts and character development.

A New School for a Growing Community

Great Hearts Blossom Rock is strategically positioned within a community poised for major growth. The Blossom Rock master-planned development, which celebrated its grand opening in 2024, spans 1,400 acres and is projected to include over 5,000 homes. The community is designed to attract families with its extensive amenities, including a 16-acre regional park, a resort-style clubhouse, and miles of trails set against the backdrop of the Superstition Mountains.

The inclusion of a school campus was integral to the community's master plan, anticipating the needs of new residents. Apache Junction itself is experiencing a steady population increase, with projections showing a growth rate of over 3% annually since 2020. While the city's median age is currently over 50, large-scale developments like Blossom Rock are expected to draw a younger demographic, increasing the demand for K-12 educational facilities.

Great Hearts Blossom Rock will provide a new choice in an area served primarily by the Apache Junction Unified School District (AJUSD), which currently enrolls around 2,700 students. Notably, the demand for classical curriculum is already present in the region; AJUSD itself operates The Classical Academy at Superstition Mountain, one of its elementary schools. The arrival of a dedicated Great Hearts academy suggests a strong and growing appetite for this educational philosophy.

The Strategic Growth of Classical Education

The opening of a 25th campus underscores Great Hearts' significant and sustained growth in Arizona. The nonprofit organization is the nation's largest provider of classical education, and its expansion is fueled by robust parental demand. In previous years, the network has reported waitlists with thousands of students across the state, indicating that the desire for its specific educational model far outpaces available seats.

"Conal Tanner is exactly the kind of leader we want shaping a new Great Hearts campus," said Brandon Crowe, superintendent of Great Hearts Arizona, in a statement. "His variety of classroom experience, perspective from serving in and leading several different schools, and unwavering commitment to classical education make him uniquely prepared to build a joyful, orderly, mission-driven school community from day one."

Great Hearts schools are publicly funded charter academies but operate differently from traditional district schools. They do not receive local property tax revenue, creating a funding gap that the organization bridges through a combination of state and federal funds, grants, and a philanthropic model that includes a "Community Investment" campaign. The Blossom Rock campus is supported in part by a federal Charter School Program (CSP) grant, designed to help new schools launch and expand over a five-year period.

The curriculum itself is a key draw for many families. It emphasizes a journey through the great works of Western Civilization, focusing on what the network calls the pillars of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. The model prioritizes Socratic instruction, advanced academics, and the integrated study of literature, history, math, sciences, and the arts to foster critical thinking and moral character.

A Leader Forged by a Classical Path

In Conal Tanner, Great Hearts has found a leader whose life and career reflect the very principles the academy espouses. Born in Ottawa, Canada, Tanner was homeschooled before attending a classical boarding school in Pennsylvania—an experience he says closely mirrored the Great Hearts model. After graduating from the classically focused Thomas Aquinas College in 2007, he served for three years in the Canadian Army, an experience that he credits with developing his resilience and leadership skills.

His path to education led him abroad to Colombia, where he taught and met his wife, Pilar. His journey with Great Hearts began in Arizona as a fifth-grade teacher at Archway Veritas. He later transitioned to teaching upper-school literature and humane letters at Chandler Prep before taking on an administrative role as the assistant headmaster at Great Hearts Glendale Preparatory Academy.

This blend of elementary, upper-school, and leadership experience across multiple campuses gives him a comprehensive perspective on the K-12 classical education journey. His two oldest children are themselves students at a Great Hearts academy.

"What keeps drawing me back to Great Hearts is the mission, the commitment to forming students through Truth, Goodness, and Beauty," Tanner stated. "I've taught in several countries and many types of schools, and nothing compares to the culture, alignment, and joy you find here. Leading Great Hearts Blossom Rock is an incredible opportunity to build that kind of community from the ground up, where students and teachers can thrive together."

Engaging the Community Early

With the opening more than a year away, Great Hearts and Tanner are already beginning the work of community building. The organization has scheduled a "Cheers to Blossom Rock: Meet the Headmaster" event for prospective families on the evening of Saturday, April 18. The gathering will be held at The Dutch, the Blossom Rock community clubhouse, offering parents a chance to meet Tanner, learn about his vision, and connect with other interested families over wine and hors d'oeuvres.

This early outreach is a hallmark of the network's strategy to establish a strong school culture long before the first bell rings. By engaging directly with the community, the new leadership aims to lay the foundation for a collaborative partnership between parents, teachers, and students, setting the stage for the academy's successful launch in 2027.