Thirty years ago, New Vistas Academy Founder and Director Carol Elias, took her vision and firm belief about how children should be educated, and put them into practice. From humble beginnings, New Vistas Academy has grown because its method of instruction has a proven record of success. Three core principles are the foundation of the New Vistas Academy model of education.  They are; providing a structured learning environment where children can develop their talents, positive and nurturing teachers and academic excellence where a child is allowed to reach the highest bar possible. New Vistas has always been committed to providing a structured, positive, and academic setting where students are able to be successful.

Carol Elias is a native of Arizona, growing up the older of two children in Phoenix. Carol was blessed to always know what she wanted to do in life. From the age of 5 or 6, she knew she wanted to become a teacher.  She attended Arizona State University and graduated in two and a half years from the College of Education. She taught in a private school in Phoenix, Chandler Public Schools, Madison Heights in the Madison School District, and then back to Chandler District where she became the “go to gal” and opened many of their new schools as the district rapidly expanded. Also during this time, Carol continued her education at Arizona State University, seeking her Masters Degree in Counseling. During her tenure with public schools, Carol had a dream and a vision of how children could best be taught and realize their full potential. Fueled by her belief that there should be no “ceiling” for a child’s level, she began New Vistas Academy in 1979. In those early days, the school operated out of the Chandler Presbyterian Church.

Carol was convinced that preschool students should be taught by teachers and that even at a young age; their little minds were capable of enormous growth and understanding. She started New Vistas Academy with two preschool classes and one kindergarten class. The school operated out of the church for ten years and then moved to our current location in 1989. Since then, the school’s physical size has grown to be six times what it was, along with the number of students and grade levels taught.  Every teacher that works at New Vistas Academy comes with talent, enthusiasm, and most importantly a shared belief in Carol’s vision and dream. During her spare time, Carol enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family and close friends.

Dr. Eleanor Jordan was raised in Laveen, a small farming community in the southwest part of Maricopa County, Arizona. She is the youngest of nine children, five girls and four boys. She attended school in Laveen through elementary school. At the time, Laveen did not have a high school, so she and her siblings were bused to Phoenix for high school.  She attended Arizona State University for both her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Education degrees and then attended the University of Arizona where she completed her Doctorate of Education.

Dr. Jordan has a long and impressive list of work experience. She began teaching at the Arizona State University Lab School. From there, she became a principal in Phoenix Madison Heights Elementary where she first met Carol Elias. Carol was a first grade teacher for Eleanor. Dr. Jordan moved on from there to become an Assistant Superintendent in the Roosevelt District in Phoenix and then went on to the State Department of Education where she worked as an Assistant Superintendent.  She was Superintendent of Schools in Litchfield Park and then went on to become the Director of The Johns Hopkins Gifted and Talented Program at The College of Education for Arizona State University. 

Carol and Eleanor remained friends throughout their careers and often shared their ideas on how to improve the educational outcome for all students. Throughout their years spent in public schools, they found that the bar was consistently set low. They knew that when given the opportunity to excel, students not only reach their goals but often times exceed them. They both share a passion and a commitment to providing an educational environment where all children will be successful.  Dr. Jordan joined Carol as a co-director of New Vistas Academy in 1995. Their friendship and shared vision have blessed the lives of countless students and families. In her spare time, Dr. Jordan enjoys playing bridge, gardening, reading, and spending time with family and friends.