Between the availability of funding for alternative schooling options and increasing concerns over educational standards and the safety of sending your child to a traditional school, there has never been a better time to homeschool in Utah.
Deciding to homeschool your child is just the first step; choosing the right homeschool program for your family is essential to ensuring that your child gets the best possible education at home. With expert-developed lesson plans, academic advisors, and other support for you and your child, homeschool programs are specially designed to help you and your child succeed in their education.
However, not all homeschool programs are the right fit for every family. If you’re just getting started, it can be overwhelming to understand all of your options, so we’ve highlighted the six most important factors to consider as you look for the best homeschooling program in Utah for your child and family.
Accreditation
Many Utah parents have expressed concern over the quality of education available in traditional private and public schools, especially in areas of the state where your options may be limited.
Whether you’re planning to teach your child yourself or use an online homeschool program in Utah for your child’s instruction, homeschool programs bring a wealth of educational options to your doorstep. Accreditation is one way to know if a homeschool program meets the high academic standards you’re looking for—and that your child’s education will be recognized by colleges, universities, trade programs, and even future employers.
Cognia is an independent agency that evaluates homeschooling programs. When they award accreditation to the program, it means that the program has met, or even exceeded, their rigorous standards in providing a high quality at-home education. As you consider your child’s homeschool program options, look for the Cognia seal of approval, as well as any other awards and accreditations the program has received.
Proven Results
Homeschooling in Utah is not a new phenomenon, but it is growing. Recent online search data indicates that more and more families in the state are considering homeschool as a viable option for their child.
Between disappointing academics and the threat of school violence and bullying, it’s no surprise that parents like you are considering keeping their children home. This growth has been great for the homeschooling community at large, and it has also created an increasingly valuable market for entrepreneurs.
Today, there are more resources available for homeschooled children than ever before. Even so, not all of these homeschool service providers have the history, reputation, or expertise needed to back up their offerings or support their claims.
Newer businesses simply can’t show the same proven results as a well-established organization with decades of experience. As you work through your homeschool program options, ask to speak with other parents, learning about their experience with the program and where their child is today. Be sure to also find out when the company was established, where their in-house experts’ knowledge comes from, and what kind of results you can expect for your child.
Dedicated Academic Advisors
Every child is unique; they have different interests, goals, and learning styles. Having a trusted academic advisor who understands this is critical to guiding your child successfully through their K-12 academic career and on to future endeavors.
While many homeschool programs offer academic advising for your child, it often comes in the form of a call center. When you or your child dial in, you will be directed to the next available representative.
These call centers serve a purpose, but they can’t meet the unique needs of your child. As you choose a homeschool program, look for one that offers one-on-one academic advising.
With one-to-one academic advising, your child always hears a familiar voice at the other end of the line. Each individual advisor is matched with your child to be a direct resource and partner in their academics. Over time, they learn your child’s goals, aspirations, and personality, allowing them to offer thoughtful guidance and advice to help your child through their unique educational experience.
Homeschool Communities and Groups
As homeschooling in Utah grows in practice and popularity, so do the opportunities to connect with others in the community. For decades, the best homeschool programs in Utah have worked to connect like-minded families across the state, and modern technology has made the opportunities for connection even better.
Ideally, the homeschool program you choose will offer ways for both you and your child to engage with others. It’s important to not only have a wide range of communities and groups to join, but also to enjoy a robust community of participating individuals and families.
With the best homeschool programs in Utah, in-person activities, virtual meet-ups and field trips, and even live graduation ceremonies are all a normal and enriching part of the modern homeschooling experience. The communities and groups built into your homeschool program should offer connections to other students around the corner and around the world, uniting your child with other students through academics, athletics, or common interests. They might practice their language skills with a native speaker in the morning and play basketball with other local homeschoolers in the afternoon.
For parents like you, your homeschool program’s communities and groups should offer you a safe space to connect with other parents. You can share resources, get advice, and support each other as you move through the challenges and joys of your child’s at-home education.
Customized Approach to Learning
Traditional public and private schools rely on a one-size-fits-all approach to education, but it never fits everyone as intended. It’s simply not possible—every child is different, from how they process information to the noise levels in which they thrive. Understanding and working with these differences are critical to help a child learn well, and they’re even more important for students with a physical or learning disability.
The best homeschool programs support your child’s unique learning style and needs, customizing an approach to help them succeed. Look for a homeschooling program that has the expertise and process necessary to learn about your child and to recommend an effective curriculum that reflects both what and how they want to learn.
The homeschool program you choose should employ educational experts with years of advanced education and hands-on experience in the field, to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to help you and your child be successful.
Funded by the Utah Fits All Scholarship
Introduced in 2024, the Utah Fits All Scholarship is an important step forward for homeschooling families in Utah. Educating your child at home does require an investment, but the UFA scholarship provides financial aid for Utah students to help offset the costs of providing your child with the best education possible.
The UFA was designed to empower students to learn beyond traditional public schools. The scholarship offers up to $8,000 per child, which can be used for private school tuition, extracurricular fees and equipment (including sports equipment), book subscriptions, academic tutors and therapists, and even home internet access. For homeschooled children like yours, you can utilize UFA funds to pay for curriculum, textbooks, and homeschool support services that are essential to their homeschool education.
The list of approval expenses under the EFA program is long, and nearly all homeschool programs are allowable under the program guidelines. Parents can also ensure that their program fees will be funded by completing the UFA pre-approval process. If your intended homeschool program doesn’t make the cut, you may want to consider other options.
All of Bridgeway’s products and services are approved for Utah’s state funding.
Learn more about Bridgeway Academy’s all-inclusive homeschool programs that are fully funded by the Utah Fits All Scholarship.
Choosing the Best Homeschool Programs in Utah
Still searching for the best homeschool program in Utah? Consider Bridgeway Academy!
With more than 35 years of support for homeschool families like yours, one-on-one academic advising, a 96% success rate in matching students to the right curriculum and learning plan, and robust virtual and in-person homeschool communities (including Parent Connections), Bridgeway Academy’s accredited homeschool programs meet all the criteria to help you provide a high-quality education that meets the unique needs of your child and family.
Bridgeway Academy’s comprehensive homeschool program options allow you to select the products and services you need for a customized education package. With everything from community groups to online classes and teacher support, we tailor our offerings to meet your child’s needs based on their learning style, personality, educational level, and future goals.
Connect With a Utah Homeschool Expert
Learn more about Utah’s homeschooling laws and requirements, and connect with our Bridgeway Academy team to learn how we can help.
Contact us for more information by calling toll-free at (800) 863-1474, register to attend our next virtual open house, or use our live chat feature!
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