Big news for Utah students 🎉 Four Utah charter schools have been awarded up to $2 million in competitive federal funding to expand opportunities for students across the state. The funding will support: ✨ arts & music ✨ science labs & technology ✨ transportation ✨ teacher training ✨ classroom resources Congratulations to: ⭐ Monticello Academy ⭐ Paradigm Charter Schools ⭐ Beehive Science & Technology Academy ⭐ Vanguard Academy Investing in students means investing in Utah’s future.

Utah continues to raise the bar in education, and this year’s Top 10 high schools are a testament to the incredible students, educators, and communities across our state. 🎓 Congratulations to all of these outstanding schools for their commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student success. Your hard work is shaping the future of Utah. A special recognition goes to the six charter schools that made the list—an impressive achievement that highlights the important role charter schools play in expanding opportunity, fostering creativity, and delivering high-quality education options for families. Whether traditional or charter, each of these schools represents the very best of what Utah education can be. Here’s to continued excellence and even greater success ahead! The Top 10: 1. Beehive Science and Technology Academy (charter); Sandy. 2. Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy (charter); Lindon. 3. Skyline High School (Granite School District); Millcreek. 4. InTech Collegiate Academy (charter); Logan. 5. Park City High School (Park City School District); Park City. 6. Itineris Early College High School (charter); West Jordan. 7. Corner Canyon High School (Canyons School District); Draper. 8. Academy for Math Engineering and Science (charter); Murray. 9. Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering and Science (charter); Layton. 10. Olympus High School (Granite School District); Holladay.

We are proud to highlight Walden School of Liberal Arts for their dedicated efforts in promoting positive attendance. As active participants in the USBE Engagement and Attendance Cohort, Walden has been refining their systems to ensure every student feels seen and supported. Key highlights of their recent initiatives include: "Spirit of Belonging" Week: A targeted spirit week designed to foster community and remind students that their presence matters. Walden Wellness Night: An event featuring mental health professionals and resource booths for families. The Attendance-Wellness Link: A dedicated booth helped parents visualize the direct connection between consistent attendance and improved student mental health. We applaud the team at Walden for their commitment to the idea that every day counts and for building an environment where every student truly belongs!

At the Utah County Academy of Sciences (UCAS), students gain early access to meaningful college opportunities through a strong partnership with Utah Valley University (UVU). Beginning as freshmen, students take college courses on UVU’s campus, gradually increasing their credits each year. By senior year, many attend full-time, fully immersed in college life. As a result, 75–80% of UCAS students graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. This opportunity is especially impactful given UCAS’s diverse student population, with 40% from minority backgrounds and 22% economically disadvantaged. Beyond acceleration, the program builds access, confidence, and momentum. Careful academic planning ensures students make real progress toward bachelor’s degrees, often saving significant time and cost. Through partnerships like Phi Theta Kappa, students also engage in research and service, gaining early exposure to college-level expectations. UCAS demonstrates how strong collaboration can expand opportunities and help students confidently prepare for their futures.

Weilenmann School of Discovery began a 2-year partnership with Challenge Success, a non-profit affiliated with the Stanford University Graduate School of Education that works with schools to prioritize student well-being alongside academic growth. WSD is the first school in Utah to establish the partnership, which was made possible through the SCSB’s Innovation Grant, and which will continue through the 2026-27 school year. The collaboration creates meaningful changes that improve student engagement, well-being, and belonging, and provides for greater student involvement in making decisions and building community. “We want our community to be a place where parents, teachers, and students are collaborative partners in shaping the school,” explains Executive Director Scott Stewart. "The resources and support received so far through the partnership have been not only useful, but specific to our school and its needs. It has been exciting to see our goals take shape and to envision a more balanced school experience where all students feel safe, supported, and deeply engaged."

Spectrum Academy is Utah’s premier public charter school dedicated to providing a specialized learning environment for students with autism and other neurodiversity's. We empower our students to reach their full potential by blending rigorous academics with essential social skills and individualized support. Spectrum Academy had 649 enrollments for CTE courses for Semester 1. Our most popular classes are Food & Nutrition, Manufacturing Technology, Engineering Technology, and 3D Print Technology. 100% of our Culinary 1 at our North Salt Lake Campus passed the state CTE Exam. Overall, our Food & Nutrition and Baking & Pastry courses scored higher than the state average on the state CTE Exam. Ethan Knowlton, who teaches in Pleasant Grove, had 65% of his students pass and certify the state CTE exam. Out of the 36 standards evaluated on the exams, his students performed at an advanced level (80%+) on 16 of them. 72% of Ethan’s students in Video Production 1 passed the state CTE exam and mastered all performance assessments. Overall, we had 172 students pass the state CTE Exams and 156 were certified. To pass the exam, students have to score above the state mandated cut score (somewhere around 80%) and master all performance assessments for the course. We also had 25 classes score within 10% of the state average.

I am the HERO of my story! Students and teachers had a blast meeting with award-winning author Johan Twiss. He took them on adventures, played the trombone, and helped them understand how powerful their imaginations can be! Johan inspired the students with his love for storytelling and creativity, sharing how imagination can change the world one story at a time.

Promontory School of Expeditionary Learning was able to visit the Fremont Indian State Park and Museum. “It was powerful for the students to see things hands on and see the reality of these people, and the lives they lived. It fit in perfect with our Ancient Civilizations Expedition. Our students are learning what a civilization needs to thrive and grow, and learning about some amazing people. We are lucky to have the Fremont people in our state!” said Director Edelman about the fieldtrip.

Building a Future of Innovation: A Moment of Gratitude for Our New STEM Lab At Channing Hall, we believe that preparing students for the future means giving them opportunities to imagine, question, innovate, and lead. We are especially grateful for the tremendous opportunity to build and expand our STEM Lab through the Innovation Grant, a resource that helps elevate learning for every student in our school. The STEM Lab is more than a room filled with tools and technology; it is a space where curiosity is celebrated, creativity is unleashed, and challenges become opportunities for growth. Thanks to the Innovation Grant, we are able to provide students with high-quality materials, hands-on engineering challenges, robotics tools, design thinking experiences, and a learning environment that inspires them to think bigger and bolder than before. Where STEM Meets IB: A Powerful Combination Our International Baccalaureate (IB) framework and our STEM programming complement each other in ways that bring out the very best in our students. While the IB approach nurtures global-mindedness, inquiry, reflection, and communication, STEM pushes students to explore, analyze, build, test, and improve. Together, they form a learning experience that goes far beyond traditional classroom expectations. STEM empowers students to solve real-world problems through experimentation and iteration. IB empowers students to ask deep questions, collaborate with purpose, and reflect on the impact of their actions. When combined, STEM + IB elevates students to a new level of thinking and learning. Our learners begin to see themselves not just as students, but as innovators, designers, and responsible global citizens. They learn to approach challenges with confidence, creativity, and resilience, skills that will carry them through middle school, high school, and well into their future careers. A Lab Built for Today, With a Vision for Tomorrow Our STEM Lab is an investment in the long-term success of our students. It stands as a testament to the belief that every child deserves access to modern, meaningful, hands-on learning. Inside this space, students code and create, explore robotics and engineering, engage in scientific investigations, and collaborate on projects that mirror the work of real scientists, engineers, and innovators. Through these experiences, they will build confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills, and learn how to apply their knowledge in ways that make a real difference. Thank You for Supporting Innovation We are thankful to the SCSB for believing in our vision and investing in the future of our students. We also extend our gratitude to our teachers, parents, and community members who continue to champion innovation and inquiry-based learning. Together we are building a school where students don’t just learn about the future, they create it.

Soldier Hollow Charter School is a K–8 school nestled in the beautiful Heber Valley. This year, we’ve deepened our commitment to place-based education—a core part of our mission. Place-based learning connects students to their surroundings, helping them use their skills now to make a real, positive impact in their community. This year we’ve launched a new middle school service internship program called Osprey Outreach. Over the summer, we partnered with local organizations and nonprofits to give our 8th graders the opportunity to volunteer off-campus every other Friday. On the alternating Fridays, they stay at school to plan a service event or project for those same organizations. Current projects include food drives for the local food bank, gathering and distributing Christmas gifts for over 70 local seniors, and helping beautify Wasatch Mountain State Park. Our 6th and 7th graders also participate in Osprey Outreach. The 7th grade focuses on supporting the local Charleston community, while the 6th grade takes care of our own campus. These students have organized school movie nights, maintained recess equipment, and handled weekly campus cleanup. We initially worried attendance might drop on Fridays with this new structure—but the opposite has been true. Attendance is strong, and students are genuinely excited to serve. You’ve never seen students so eager to empty trash bins, dig trails, or volunteer at the senior center and local library. At Soldier Hollow Charter School, we strive to empower our students to see their connection to the world around them—and to make a difference now. It's amazing to see what they can do and the confidence they gain when given the opportunity to serve.

We are thrilled to announce that Providence Hall has been recognized as a Bronze Level AP Honor School, placing them among the top 9% of high schools nationwide! This prestigious distinction, achieved by only 17 schools in Utah, acknowledges their commitment to academic excellence and the success of their students in Advanced Placement coursework. Further highlighting their dedication to providing equitable opportunities, Providence Hall has also been named an AP Access School. This significant achievement highlights our dedication to ensuring that a diverse range of students have the opportunity to engage in college-level studies through their comprehensive AP Scholars Program. The remarkable 80% pass rate on AP exams is a testament to the hard work of their students, the dedication of their teachers, and the unwavering support of their staff. Congratulations to Providence Hall and we look forward to continued growth and success!

A Standing Ovation for Utah Arts Academy! The SCSB proudly shines a spotlight on the exceptional Utah Arts Academy, a public school in Greater Zion nurturing the talents of students in grades 8 through 12. This remarkable institution provides an inspiring arts and academically focused education, where dedicated teachers guide students in acting, voice, dance, music, art, math, science, humanities, and technology. Day after day, students at Utah Arts Academy develop powerful storytelling skills and broaden their perspectives. The success of their graduates, who build on their creative habits to impact communities across diverse fields, is a testament to the school's incredible work. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Utah Arts Academy and their extraordinarily talented students who stood out among thousands of entries in the prestigious YoungArts competition. A special shout-out to the incredibly gifted Sadie Barrowes and Emerson Williams (Songwriting), Melanie Petersen (Musical Theater), and Roxie Sparling (Popular Voice) for their well-deserved recognition!

Shining a spotlight on excellence, Beehive Science and Technology Academy emerges as a beacon of STEM education. This remarkable K-12 school is making waves by fostering a deep-seated passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in its diverse student body. Founded on the prescient understanding of technology's growing influence, Beehive Academy is dedicated to equipping young minds with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in our evolving world. What truly sets Beehive apart is its unwavering commitment to hands-on learning through its robust project-based curriculum. Students aren't just passively absorbing information; they're actively engaging in real-world challenges, collaborating to find innovative solutions, and showcasing their mastery of academic concepts, mathematical reasoning, and computational fluency through impressive culminating projects. Beyond the traditional classroom, Beehive cultivates a vibrant STEM ecosystem. From advanced computer science and mathematics courses to engaging STEM Expo projects and participation in prestigious competitions like Robotics, MathCounts, and state science fairs, students are provided with ample opportunities to explore their interests and push their boundaries. The school's dedication extends to preparing students for future academic pursuits, offering rigorous college prep courses with a distinct focus on STEM-related fields. A testament to Beehive's innovative spirit is the annual Utah STEM Expo, a significant event hosted by the academy. Here, students harness the power of technology, often utilizing iPads, to bring their creative visions to life – designing projects, capturing them on film, sharing them online, and then presenting their ingenuity to a wide audience. The impact of Beehive's dedication is undeniable. For the 2023-2024 school year, U.S. News & World Report recognized Beehive Science and Technology Academy as the #1 High School in Utah and among the top in the nation, ranking at #116. This impressive achievement is further underscored by the Utah State Board of Education's designation of Beehive as a Platinum STEM School, a clear indication of its exceptional commitment to STEM education. Beehive Science and Technology Academy isn't just a school; it's a dynamic hub where curiosity is nurtured, innovation is celebrated, and future STEM leaders are forged. It stands as a shining example of what's possible when a school is deeply committed to providing a challenging, engaging, and forward-thinking education for all its students. This is a school worth recognizing – a place where the future is being built, one project, one competition, one inspired student at a time.