Twenty-five years ago, there were only eight charter schools in Utah. There are now 144. Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that are governed by an independent board and operate according to their individual charter agreements. 

The newest public charter school to offer non-traditional educational options for students grades 7-12 is ThrivePoint Academy, which will open in West Jordan for the 2025-26 school year. 

"We are excited to bring ThrivePoint Academy’s unique educational approach to Utah,” ThrivePoint Academy Board Chair Shannon Smith said. “Our programs are designed to empower students by offering them the flexibility, guidance and resources they need to excel, no matter their circumstances.” 

ThrivePoint Academy offers online, in-person and hybrid learning methods with both morning and afternoon sessions. The West Jordan campus houses an open learning center and private study rooms. Students will visit the campus twice a week to attend classes, study and to receive one-on-one support from teachers and student success coaches. 

“We just want to ensure that if you are a hybrid student, you have that accountability with the Student Success Coach and your teachers to ensure that you're reaching success, and you're submitting your coursework, and you are hitting those goals that you set,” Learning Center Coordinator Taylor Smith said. 

Smith said the flexibility of ThrivePoint’s model meets the various needs of students, including those who want to get ahead or get caught up academically, or who need a flexible schedule because of work or other activities, or for students looking for a nontraditional environment. 

”We're mostly helping kiddos that need another option because the traditional option wasn't working,” Smith said. “We are mostly focusing on helping kids reach their next big step.” 

One of the unique programs ThrivePoint Academy offers is the Next Big Step, a workforce development course. Students take the course to prepare for their post high school career and education goal by exploring their options through interest-based field trips, community engagement, internships and partnerships with local businesses. 

“Kids can start looking at different options, maybe it's military or college or a career readiness program at SLCC or at the University of Utah,” Smith said. “We want to have different options for kids to go out in the community and find things that they're passionate about.” 

Securing community partners to help students find success after high school is part of the school’s program. Due to their location near 9000 South and Redwood Road, they have already set up partnerships with business neighbors Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design and the Armed Forces Career Center. 

School staff members will also collaborate with local higher ed institutions—Salt Lake Community College, University of Utah, Utah Valley University and Utah State University—to help prepare students who choose to pursue a college degree. 

ThrivePoint Academy is new to Utah but has been serving students for more than 20 years at locations in Nevada, Arizona and California. Enrollment at the West Jordan campus is capped at 400 students. 

“A lot of kids just fall through the cracks at a traditional school—those schools are so big,” Smith said. “We just want to be a community partner with the local schools and families so that they can have a different option. We want families to feel like they have choices, not just to be bound to their local school.” 

To enroll or to learn more about ThrivePoint Academy, visit www.thrivepointutah.com or call (801) 228-0793.