With the opening of ThrivePoint Academy of Utah coming in the fall of 2025, Taylor Smith is interviewing teachers, organizing curriculum and recruiting students. He is also learning the ins and outs of administration through the UAPCS Incubator Fellow Program.
New administrators, even those with district experience, find that the day-to-day running of a charter school in Utah has its unique challenges. Director turnover has been in the double digits for the past several years, and UAPCS has sought a solution to reduce it. Through a grant from the Daniels Fund and with their continued support and additional funding through the Charter Schools Program-State Entity grant, UAPCS started the Incubator Fellow Program.
This program is designed to give future school leaders the hands-on experience needed to successfully run their own school from year one, thus reducing turnover. Incubator fellows learn from seasoned administrators in four schools over a 12-month period, gaining critical experience in areas such as budgeting, governance, compliance, community engagement and instructional leadership. To ensure a meaningful and relevant experience, fellows are matched with schools that align with their own school’s model and complement their individual learning needs. This tailored approach allows fellows to immerse themselves in real-world challenges while receiving direct mentorship from experienced charter leaders.
To support their focus on this immersive experience, fellows receive a stipend, enabling them to dedicate time to both their training and the startup of their own charter school. Host schools are also given a stipend in recognition of their time and expertise. By fostering strong leadership from the outset, UAPCS is working to strengthen Utah’s charter school landscape and ensure long-term success for new school leaders.
Taylor is nearly through the program, having completed three out of four in-school experiences. He worked with Mountain Heights Academy, Freedom Preparatory Academy and Early Light Academy, and he will finish up at North Star Academy. Taylor is the learning center coordinator for ThrivePoint Academy, an online school providing a flexible, personalized and student-centered education for grades 7-12.
Taylor has extensive educational experience, holding a master’s in education with a focus on Instructional Design and Educational Technology from the University of Utah, in addition to his degree in Special Education. Taylor also has charter school experience, working with Taylion High Desert Academy in California. These experiences added to his time in the Incubator Fellow Program and will prepare him to hit the ground running when class is in session this fall.
UAPCS will be able to offer up to three positions in the Incubator Fellow Program in the next planning session. For more information on becoming a host school or enrolling a school leader in the program, please reach out to Shannon Greer at shannon@utahcharters.org.
Comments From Taylor
“The most valuable part of my journey has been the collection of experiences from the various schools I have worked with. Having the opportunity to collaborate with directors and principals has been tremendously rewarding — offering insights and hands-on learning that I could not have gained anywhere else.
“Throughout my experience, I have been pleasantly surprised by the warmth and collaboration within Utah’s charter school community. The individuals who work in Utah’s charter schools are incredible, passionate educators who truly love what they do. They choose to work in charter schools because of the unique opportunities these schools offer to their communities.
“I chose to work with ThrivePoint Academy because I was once a ThrivePoint student. I needed a different approach to learning — one that would help me succeed. ThrivePoint teachers and student success coaches provided the support I needed to catch up in high school and ultimately graduate.
“During my time at Mountain Heights, I had the invaluable opportunity to work alongside DeLaina Tonks, a pioneer in online education in Utah. I am incredibly grateful for her willingness to let me shadow her, giving me insight into the daily operations of the school and her leadership approach. Observing how she collaborates with her network to drive Mountain Heights forward was inspiring. This experience also sparked discussions about how Mountain Heights and ThrivePoint could work together to help more Utah students graduate and achieve long-term success.
“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to expect the unexpected. While setting goals and maintaining a schedule is essential, flexibility is equally important in the ever-changing environment of school operations. One moment, you’re working with teachers; the next, you’re assisting the janitorial staff. These experiences have prepared me, and I’m excited for the upcoming school year.”
ThrivePoint Utah empowers students to thrive academically through individualized learning plans, career readiness and supportive mentorship. Whether students need to catch up, get ahead or balance school with other commitments, ThrivePoint offers the flexibility and support they need to succeed. Their innovative approach ensures that every student graduates prepared for their next step — whether in college, career or life.
