Biography

My name is Stephanie Eccles. I was drawn to Excelsior Academy when I received notice of the Executive Director opening. I tried to ignore the urgency that I should apply, but it eventually became so obvious that I could not set it aside any longer. Now I can say with full confidence that it's a good thing I followed that premonition. There is no place I would rather be than Excelsior Academy. I work among the best faculty I have ever met. 

I have worked for the Salt Lake and Ogden School Districts. These experiences were vital to my educational career. I began working in charter schools in 2005 and as a Director in 2006. I understand better now than ever before the power that comes to a school when it is set up to be managed independently and guided by a mission statement. 

Under my direction, Excelsior has been ranked in the top 7% of all public schools in Utah according to our state standardized tests. Our achievements are not just academic. Our well-rounded offerings from competitive sports, acclaimed greenhouse courses and high-level fine arts courses have helped make Excelsior into one of the two best charter schools in the state.

To have guided Excelsior in its growth from one school to two schools and 675 students to 1400 students was the most challenging yet rewarding experience in my career as a professional educator. Looking back in time, it is hard to believe that my university education that started at age 14 in the University of Utah Ballet Department and then led to a Master's in Educational Psychology from Utah State University, was the beginning of providing an academically rigorous classical education to over 3,000 students. What a joy it is to fulfill the calling of a professional educator.