Heidi Alexander

Students at Pilgrim Rest.

ASU’s newest preparatory school, Pilgrim Rest, will open in the fall. The campus will offer unique opportunities for students of color in the historic Black neighborhood of Eastlake.

The new school was built within existing buildings owned by Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, a century-old space for Black churchgoers in Phoenix. The historic location is just one way the school shows its focus on community integration.

Heidi Alexander is the founding principal at Pilgrim Rest. She’s been working since August to set up the tuition-free academy with direct input from parents, educators and local business owners.

“It’s a courageous venture, for an organization and a school leader to say I’m going to give this over to the community and truly listen, and make real the desires, the expectations and also the rectification of harms," Alexander said.

Alexander said that in addition to STEM learning, students will get musical education through a jazz program multiple times a week.

Heidi Alexander

Students at Pilgrim Rest.