OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UTAH ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS

Pub. 14 2024-2025 Issue 1

25 Years of Public Charter Schools in Utah

The Utah public education landscape has seen significant positive changes since the original eight pilot charter schools opened. At a workshop at the 2004 National Charter School conference in Florida, I recall a charter school founder, in response to her sacrifice and substantial opposition, saying that she put a note on her refrigerator that simply stated, ‘I’m doing it for the kids.’ Amen! That is why we’re all doing it.

1999

Pinnacle Canyon Academy
Soldier Hollow Charter School
Tuacahn High School for the Arts
Uintah River High

2000

City Academy

2002

Fast Forward High
John Hancock Charter School
Thomas Edison Charter School
Timpanogos Academy

2003

Academy for Math, Engineering & Science
American Preparatory Academy
Freedom Preparatory Academy
Ogden Preparatory Academy
Salt Lake Arts Academy

2004

DaVinci Academy
East Hollywood High
Itineris Early College High School
Moab Charter School
Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering & Science
North Davis Preparatory Academy
Ranches Academy
Summit Academy
Walden School of Liberal Arts

2005

Beehive Science & Technology Academy
Lincoln Academy
Navigator Pointe Academy
North Star Academy
Odyssey Charter School
Reagan Academy
Success Academy
Utah County Academy of Science
Wasatch Peak Academy

American Prep felt parents would benefit from a classical school that used proven, evidence-based reading and math instructional programs taught at the student’s level. We founded our school on the works of E.D. Hirsch (Core Knowledge) and Siegfried Englemann (Reading Mastery and Connecting Math Concepts) and have experienced enduring academic success. American Prep’s name highlights our mission to prepare generations of great Americans with deep, factual knowledge about our amazing nation as well as the skills and desire to perpetuate the American ideals into the future.

2006

Channing Hall
Entheos Academy
George Washington Academy
Intech Collegiate Academy
Lakeview Academy
Legacy Preparatory Academy
Monticello Academy
Mountainville Academy
Paradigm High School
Renaissance Academy
Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts
Spectrum Academy
Syracuse Arts Academy
Noah Webster Academy

2007

C.S. Lewis Academy
Canyon Rim Academy
Dual Immersion Academy
Edith Bowen Laboratory School
Guadalupe School
Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy
Open Classroom

2008

Gateway Preparatory Academy
Merit College Preparatory Academy
Providence Hall
Quest Academy
Rockwell Charter High School
Salt Lake Center for Science Education
Utah Virtual Academy
Venture Academy

2009

Early Light Academy
Excelsior Academy
Hawthorn Academy
Jefferson Academy
Mountain Heights Academy
Vista School

In 2004, Reagan Academy was created to fill a void in the school landscape that lacked individualized student academic attention. Parents are attracted to the partnership aspects of the school. Reagan Academy is an example of a school doing it right! With the connections formed between home and school, the child has the best of both worlds in order to achieve their full potential. The locally run school allows for parents to be more involved in the decisions at the school level, having a more immediate and lasting influence on their educational experience.

2010

Bear River Charter School
Canyon Grove Academy
Good Foundations Academy
Maria Montessori Academy
Summit Academy High School
Weilenmann School of Discovery

2011

Endeavor Hall
Utah Connections Academy

2012

Highmark Charter School
Pacific Heritage Academy
Promontory School of Expeditionary Learning
Valley Academy

2013

Leadership Learning Academy
Mana Academy Charter School
Utah Career Path High School
Utah International Charter School
Voyage Academy
Weber State University Charter Academy

We saw a need for a flexible educational option that provides soft landings and safe haven for the students in the margins; those who struggle in a typical setting, whether they need additional time and support, or whether they are professional students (actors, dancers, skiers, rodeo circuit riders, etc.) fitting school in around life.

2014

Ascent Academies of Utah
Esperanza School
Mountain View Montessori
Mountain West Montessori Academy
Scholar Academy
Utah Military Academy
Winter Sports School

2015

Athenian eAcademy
Greenwood Charter School
Lumen Scholar Institute
Roots Charter High School
Terra Academy
Vanguard Academy

2016

American Academy of Innovation
Athlos Academy of Utah
Franklin Discovery Academy
Wallace Stegner Academy
Wasatch Waldorf Charter School

2017

Bonneville Academy
Leadership Academy of Utah
Real Salt Lake Academy High School
St. George Academy
The Center for Creativity, Innovation and Discovery
Treeside Charter School

Bridge Elementary opened in Roy, the founder’s hometown, to provide families with an option to the neighborhood school. Bridge is the only charter school in Roy. With our free before and after school programs and military preference we are filling a need for our community that goes well beyond just academics.

2018

Ignite Entrepreneurship Academy

2020

Advantage Arts Academy
Bridge Elementary School
Mountain Sunrise Academy

2024

Elevated Charter School
American Principles Academy

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