You have more options than you may think…
Brick & Mortar Public Schools
Compulsory Attendance
Your child’s age is your first indicator of his or her eligibility for beginning school. Children must be five years old on or before September 1 to enter kindergarten. Children must be enrolled in school by the age of 6. see more >
Required Documentation
Utah school districts set the requirements for what documentation is required prior to enrolling a student in their district. To get that information, contact the district directly.
Some legal documents are required for Utah students to attend school:
- Certified Birth Certificate/proof of identity
- Official copy of records/transcripts from the previous school the child most recently attended
- A shot immunization record (or proof that immunization is not required for the child)
- Click here to view the immunization requirements
- Proof of home address (for example, a rental agreement or tax statement)
School Fees
Paying some fees is a part of public education, though it is primarily a free education. Students are expected to supply their own basic school supplies such as paper, pencils, and notebooks. Each district has a list of approved expenditures for students. Fee waiver forms can be requested from the school if there is a situation that prevents a family from being able to pay for required materials or events.
Some typical items on that list include:
- Lunch
- Summer school
- Student parking passes (high school)
- Lost textbooks
- Late or lost library books
- Field trips
- Special class-required fees (e.g., science lab fees)
Public Charter Schools
What are Charter Schools?
Charter Schools are tuition-free public schools operated by independent, non-profit governing bodies.
Parents, teachers, and community leaders sign a “charter” or contract with a school district or state agency to create a charter school and give students more educational options than their assigned school. Charter schools have flexibility over classroom hours, curriculum, and employment policies, but are subject to periodic reviews based on student performance. In Utah, public charter school students are measured against the same academic standards as students in other public schools. Local boards of education monitor the academic and financial performance of charter schools, and, can revoke or refuse to renew a school’s charter.
Utah Charter Schools
A list of the active charter schools can be found at Utah Department of Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about charters can be found at the Utah Department of Education.
Enrollment
Most charter schools do not have attendance zones. If you are interested in applying for your child, you must apply directly to the school. The application and selection process can be quite complicated. Make sure to contact the school early to determine the correct next steps to applying.
Virtual Public Schools
In Utah, children can attend school online in virtual classrooms with state certified teachers. Some virtual programs are open to in-district students only, while others have enrollment open to students across the state.
Check out the list of online charter schools at the Utah Department of Education.
Grades: K-8
Phone: (801) 471-8900
Grades: K-8
Phone: (801) 374-4800
Grades: K-12
Phone: (866) 788-0364
Grades: K-12
K-8 Phone: (435) 986-5181
9-12 Phone: (435) 986-5199
Private Schools
What makes a school “private”?
Private schools charge tuition, and many have a religious mission. Some private schools offer families assistance to make tuition payments. Click below for the complete list of over 175 private schools across the state.
Private School Review offers free, detailed information on U.S. private schools combined with useful community data (e.g., housing costs) and maps of the surrounding areas.
*Information on non-public school admission requirements should be obtained from the school directly.
Educational Choice Programs
The Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship Program was enacted and launched in 2005. Under this program, students with special needs are eligible to receive private school vouchers of variable amounts. Learn more about this program’s funding, eligibility and regulations here.
For more information on policy change or to get involved in the school choice movement in Utah visit EdChoice.
Private Virtual Schools
George Washington University Online High School is an online college preparatory academy for motivated students who are willing to be challenged to become the best students and persons they can be. Combining award-winning curriculum with small class sizes and intensive college counseling, students receive a flexible, individualized education attuned to their own needs and goals.
International Academy is a K12, Inc accredited, online private school for grades K–12. Students earn a U.S. high school diploma while using award-winning K¹² curriculum
They offer extensive, individualized academic and counseling support keep students on track. The flexibility allows students to explore their passions. Full-time and part-time options are available.
International Connections Academy is a fully-accredited, online, college preparatory private school serving K–12 students worldwide. The program combines a top-rated curriculum with talented teachers, cutting-edge technology, the flexibility to learn at home, and direct family involvement to ensure each student realizes his or her full potential.
The Keystone School offers flexible education programs for high school and middle school students. Whether your student wants to study full-time or just needs individual classes, they offer more than 170 courses from credit recovery to world languages and AP. Students can enroll at any time.
Home Education
Your options
In Utah, parents have the option to educate their children at home, an option known as homeschooling or home education. Parents in Utah may choose to homeschool their own children in grades K – 12.
Parents have two options to homeschool legally in Utah.
Under Utah’s homeschool statute:
Utah law specifically refers to homeschooling in Utah Code Ann. § 53A-11-102(2). To homeschool under this statute, you’ll need to follow these guidelines:
- File an affidavit.
- You must file a signed and notarized affidavit with your local school board for each of your children when you start homeschooling. You can find an affidavit form for the use of HSLDA members here.
- Provide instruction to your children.
- There are no required days of instruction nor required subjects for homeschoolers in Utah. The parent is solely responsible for the “selection of instructional materials and textbooks.”
Homeschooling as a private school
Under Utah law, you may establish a private school with other homeschoolers. Your enrollment in the private school is proof that your children are being educated in compliance with state law. The only requirement that may apply is obtaining a business license.
Families who are interested in pursuing this option can contact HSLDA for more information about the requirements.
Dual Enrollment
College Credit
Dual enrollment courses are college credit courses. High school students enroll in college courses and earn postsecondary credit upon successful completion of the course. High school credit can also be awarded based on local school policy. Dual enrollment courses can be taught on the college campus, at the student’s high school, or online. The location of the course does not affect its status as a dual enrollment course. Home school students are also eligible for dual enrollment.
Course Fees
The responsibility of school fees are a combination of state and student/parent. Students may only be charged fees or partial tuition. Participating postsecondary institutions, districts and charter schools receive a portion of a state appropriation for concurrent enrollment that supports the costs of offering the program. Each institution may charge a one-time per student per institution admissions application fee, and partial tuition of up to $30 per credit hour for each concurrent enrollment course for which a student receives college credit, paid directly to the institution, or if a course is taught by high school instructor in a public school facility, tuition of up to $10 per credit hour. If a course is taught through video conferencing, an institution may only charge up to $15 per credit hour for the concurrent enrollment course for which the student receives credit. Students eligible for free-/reduced price lunch may be charged no more than $5 per credit hour for each course for which the student receives college credit.