Jeanene Marie Krantz Gross

Jeannie has been at STAR School since July 2021 and started as Principal and co-leader with Andy LaFrate.  In 2022, Dr. Sorensen resigned as Director and appointed Jeannie to take his place as Director. Jeannie oversees academics, teaching staff and students as well as working with the Arizona Department of Education and the State Charter Board on compliance, required documentation, and funding grants.  Jeannie holds two masters degrees, one in Education and the other in Educational Leadership. STAR is the second school where she has served as an administrator.   She currently lives off grid, and is in the process of building a home near the school. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and family and enjoys the beautiful outdoors the area has to offer. 

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Andy LaFrate, PhD

Andy has been at STAR School since 2017 and started as a teaching assistant in the 4th/5th grade classroom and then transitioned to teaching middle school science for three years. In 2020, he moved into an administrative role and as the assistant principal, Andy manages facilities and other operations at STAR School, oversees student discipline and also writes and manages grants for the school among many other day to day tasks.  Andy holds a PhD in organic chemistry and has extensive experience in higher education and startup companies.  He lives off the grid, not too far from the school and enjoys spending time in nature with his dog outside of school. 

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