FAQs
General FAQs
What grades are offered by Utah Virtual Academy (UTVA)?
The Utah Virtual Academy offers full-time enrollment for grades K-12. Through the Public Education Online option, individual, tuition-free online courses are also available to any Utah high school student, statewide, who is currently attending either a public school within his or her resident district, a private school, or a state-approved charter school. Students who are home schooled may also enroll.
What subjects will my child study?
Language arts, math, science, history, music, art, and physical education are the core courses. High school students also take a world language and have access a variety of AP® and elective courses. World languages are also offered to K–8 students as an extracurricular activity. Visit our elementary, middle school, and high school curriculum pages for more details.
Does the program provide textbooks and other instructional materials?
Yes. We provide the textbooks and instructional materials needed to complete the program. These books and materials are sent to students directly. The amount and type of materials varies by grade and course. Common household items and office supplies like printer ink and paper are not provided.
Will my child have the same graduation opportunities as students in traditional public schools?
Yes, we are a public school in Utah, so students can earn a diploma issued by the Utah Office of Education based upon successful completion and mastery of course content. High school students seeking part-time enrollment will receive a transcript upon successful completion of each course.
Can my child work at their own pace?
In cooperation with the guidance of trained educators, our elementary program is self-paced and flexible within the parameters specified by state law. Our middle school and high school programs are a combination of self-paced work and scheduled lessons and activities.
What happens if my K–8 student completes a course mid-year?
When a student completes a course, Utah Virtual Academy will send him or her to the next level up until March 31 of any school year. After April 1, courses cannot be ordered again until the next fall. Teachers work closely with students to help pace the curriculum to meet the student's goals for advancement.
If a K–8 student enrolls mid-year, do they start partway through a course?
No. Our placement tests indicate which course the student should start in, and they begins with the first lesson, even if it is February. Teachers pro-rate progress goals for the school year to measure appropriate growth during the time the student was enrolled. If the student reaches the last day of the school year and has not completed a course, they may work on it in the summer and/or pick up with the next lesson on the first day of school in the fall.
How much time do students spend on the computer?
In the younger grades, many of the online lessons include offline work. Students in grades K–2 spend about 30–40 percent of their time on the computer, while students in grades 3–5 spend about 50–60 percent of their time online. Screen time increases in middle school, and by high school, most of the school day is online.
Do you provide curriculum for children with special needs?
Depending on your child's IEP, we should be able to tailor instruction to meet your child's needs. To discuss your child's needs with us, please contact our office, and we will put you in touch with our special education team.
School districts and charter schools are required by Utah law, 53A1a-704(10), to inform parents of students with IEPs enrolled in public schools, of the availability of a scholarship to attend a private school through the Carson Smith Scholarship Program. More information can be found on the Utah State Office of Education website.
Can you accommodate the accelerated learning needs of my advanced learner?
UTVA meets the needs of advanced learners in a variety of ways. The beauty of our elementary and middle school programs is that they're flexible enough to meet children where they are in any given subject and take them where they want to go. Placement assessments taken online during the enrollment process allow us to place your student in the appropriate level of
curriculum. For example, if your fourth grader is doing math on a sixth-grade level and reading on a fourth-grade level, we can adjust their courses to meet their abilities. High school students have the opportunity to make more advanced courses, including AP® courses and dual credit courses through local Applied Technology Colleges and Salt Lake Community College. Visit our Teaching Accelerated Learners page to learn more.
How do students interact socially?
Throughout the year, students are invited to participate in school outings, field trips (e.g., to historical sites, museums, zoos), picnics, and other social events. We expect local clusters of students and parents to get together on a regular basis in their areas. We also are exploring new ways to interact socially using the powerful reach of the internet. The online Family Directory provides a way for families to network with families in their region of the state. With online discussions and forums, new types of communities can be formed that are based not on geography and place but on shared interests.
Will this program intrude into my home?
There are no home visits as part of the program, and there are no other intrusions into your home.
Can my child take courses with Utah Virtual Academy part-time while enrolled in another school?
As part of the Utah Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP), also known as our part-time option, students in grades 7–12 attending a local district school, approved charter school, private school, or homeschool can take up to six tuition-free credit-bearing online courses with UTVA using the Stride K12 curriculum. See the Part-Time SOEP Courses page for more information. Outside of the SOEP, students in grades K–12 must be enrolled full-time with UTVA.
How do I enroll in the part-time option through the Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP) for grades 7–12?
Please see our How to Enroll Part-Time page for more information on eligibility and how to get started with SOEP courses.
