Homeschooling in Utah, Laws & Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2024

Did you know Utah is one of the friendliest states for homeschooling?

Yep! 

Homeschooling can be a great way to provide a personalized and flexible education for your child. So, if you want to feel confident in your choice to start homeschooling in Utah, this blog is just what you need!

In this blog, we'll cover everything you need to know about homeschooling in Utah, including laws, potential financial support, and even an amazing alternative to homeschooling— microschooling.

What are my options for homeschooling in Utah (legally)?

There’s only one option when it comes to homeschooling in Utah. 

To comply with Utah’s law, you are required to file a homeschool affidavit with your local school district. This affidavit is a formal declaration of your intent to homeschool, ensuring you understand and commit to ensuring you understand what's required.

What is a homeschool affidavit in Utah?

A homeschool affidavit is a required document that parents must submit to their local school district. This affidavit officially exempts the child from public school attendance and underscores the parent's responsibility for the child's education. You can check out a model affidavit here.

After you submit your affidavit to the school board, your child’s homeschooling journey begins! 

The school board will send you an excuse certificate within 30 days to acknowledge your homeschool program. You'll receive a new certificate every year by August 1st. And as long as you live in the same district, you don't have to submit your affidavit again.

One of the appealing aspects of homeschooling in Utah is the flexibility in curriculum choice. 

The state does not mandate a specific curriculum, allowing you to tailor educational content to meet your child’s needs best.

While homeschooling in Utah, there are also no required days of instruction or required subjects for homeschoolers. But you must educate your child from the ages of 6–18.

And unlike many states, Utah does not require homeschooled students to participate in standardized testing.

What percent of kids in Utah are homeschooled? 

Recent data indicates a growing trend of homeschooling in Utah, with an increasing number of families choosing this flexible educational path since 2019.

Does the state of Utah pay for homeschooling with funding? 

Utah does not provide public funding for homeschooling. Families must bear all costs associated with home education, including curriculum materials and extracurricular activities.

That being said… what is the Utah Fits All scholarship?

Utah Fits All is a universal school choice scholarship program that was signed into law in 2023 and will launch in the 2024-25 academic year. 

All K-12 students who are residents of Utah qualify to receive the full amount of $8,000, whether they currently attend public, private, or homeschool or are just starting kindergarten. However, applications are prioritized based on income and previous participation.

This year, the scholarship is expected to serve around 10,000 K-12 students in Utah! 

Parents can use these funds for a variety of educational expenses, including private school tuition and fees, tutoring services, testing fees, materials and curriculum costs, contracted services, and more.

And with the Utah Fits All scholarship, microschooling is more accessible and sustainable for families. Yay! 

What is microschooling?

A microschool is a tight-knit community of 5-10 kids led by an inspiring, caring adult. We call this person a microschool guide. Prenda is one of the largest and most trusted microschool networks in the country. We’ve helped over 1,000 people start microschools in their communities. 

Microschools provide a social and collaborative learning environment where kids get to learn at their own pace and level through mastery-based academic programs and explore their interests through interactive, hands-on, inquiry-led experiences. 

Microschooling vs. homeschooling in Utah

Microschools are kind of the sweet spot between homeschooling and a normal brick-and-mortar school. Your kids still “go to school,” but it’s usually for fewer hours and fewer days than conventional school. That means that you still get to spend more time with your kids, and they get to have a healthier school-life balance. 

The microschool model can blend the benefits of traditional schooling—such as social interaction and shared resources—with the personalized approach of homeschooling.

Like homeschooling, you get a big say in what and how your kids learn since you’ll get to help choose their curriculum and set personal academic goals with your child and their guide. It’s a nice balance of responsibility and support. Microschool parents feel involved, heard, and in control while not feeling overwhelmed or burnt out. 

Whether you choose traditional homeschooling, private tutoring, or even microschooling, Utah offers a supportive and flexible legal framework to foster educational success at home. 

To see if there are any microschools in your area, visit prenda.com/find-a-microschool. If there aren’t any microschools in your area, don’t worry—it’s easy to start one! 

Why microschooling may be the right option for you in Utah 

So you might be wondering… How do I know if microschooling is the best education option for my child? 

Well, microschooling may be the right option for you if you want:

• a small, personalized learning environment;
• greater flexibility in curriculum choice;
• the opportunity for your kids to learn at their own pace;
• your kids to love learning again!

And Prenda microschools have even more benefits, such as access to 24/7 math tutoring, a dedicated academic coach, and typically about 20 hours of class time per week. 

So, if you’re a parent looking to find a microschool for your child near you, go here.  

If you can’t find a microschool near you, become a guide yourself! We make it so easy! Go here for an amazing course that will walk you through everything you need to know to get started.

Prenda’s microschool management system and learning approach are intentionally designed to help you run a microschool whether you have education experience or not.

Starting a microschool truly is an amazing experience. 

And don’t just take it from us.

Take it from Heather: 

"I went to a Prenda info session and loved everything I heard but was unsure about leaving my job and pulling my kids from public school. I was nervous that I didn't have what it took to teach, and leaving the only system I knew seemed scary and crazy. We made the jump, and I started a microschool with my own two children and four additional learners. My students love coming to school every day so much that going home is the most challenging transition... I find that my life has slowed down to a pace where I can be present and enjoy every moment. Thank you to Prenda for offering this life-changing experience." 

—Heather, Prenda guide

If you are curious about starting your own ESA microschool, take our FREE 30-minute course: The Beginner's Guide to Microschooling.‍ Or, if you’re ready to jump right in, Create a Prenda World account today and start designing your future microschool. 

Whether you become a guide, find a microschool near you, or just jumpstart your journey towards more joy and peace at home (by checking out our awesome content designed to help you help kids unlock their motivation, hold on to their love of learning, and live powerful, purposeful lives), we’re excited to have you join us on our mission of empowering learners.

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