Our High School consists of two cohorts, including 9th/10th and 11th/12th grade. The curriculum rotates in two-year cycles so that subject matter is fresh each year for each student. Core academic subjects are divided into two main branches: Humanities and STEM, subdivided further into Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science, and branching out even deeper into more specific academic courses and electives. Beyond that, the core academic courses are embellished with interdisciplinary content in all of the arts (visual art, music, dance, theater/fim) as well as Electives in Life Prep and Experiential education.
Our academic, arts, and electives courses are very rich in content, with lessons favoring the advanced student, but also leveled to enrich and engage all students in the classroom.
Student Driven Learning
Post-Secondary Prep
Real-Life Application
Humanities Curriculum
Language Arts
We believe that language is the seed and sustenance of all learning. Complete human happiness hinges upon language development, as it is essential to unlocking all other subjects. Our curriculum emphasizes conceptual knowledge, skill building, and life skills, underscoring the importance of communication and social engagement across subjects. Each year, our instruction is guided by a thematic approach using “hub books” or community books—classic, grade-level texts aligned with the annual theme. This integration of literature ensures a cohesive and engaging learning experience that supports both academic and personal growth.
At the high school level, our Language Arts curriculum is designed to meet and exceed graduation requirements in a deep, rich, and meaningful way. The curriculum is aligned with grade-level standards and provides students with the tools necessary for college preparation and success in post-secondary life. Students engage in advanced writing, critical analysis, and research projects, allowing them to explore their passions and interests in a hands-on environment. Instruction is tailored to each student’s individual goals and outcomes, including those outlined in student support plans, and addresses any learning differences or disabilities to ensure positive outcomes for life after high school.
Social Studies
The Humanities give purpose and meaning to the sciences. Social studies expand upon language courses, infusing art, culture, history, and more in an interdisciplinary way. We focus on three components: Conceptual Knowledge, Skill Building, and Application to broaden students’ overall understanding of the Humanities. These components aim to develop students’ comprehension, critical thinking, and communication skills. Each year, instruction is guided by “hub books” or community books—classic, grade-level texts aligned with the annual theme. These texts work in tandem with the social studies curriculum to enhance students’ understanding of historical and social contexts, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive educational experience.
For high school students, the Social Studies curriculum is meticulously designed to meet graduation requirements while providing a meaningful, interdisciplinary learning experience. The curriculum is aligned with grade-level standards and offers opportunities for students to earn Career and Technical Education (CTE) credits through specialized electives and projects. This approach not only prepares students for college and future careers but also allows them to explore their interests in a hands-on environment that connects academic learning to real-world applications. Instruction is customized to align with each student’s individual goals, support plans, and any learning differences or disabilities, ensuring that all students achieve success in their post-high school endeavors.
Experiential Extensions in Humanities
Learning doesn’t stop outside the classroom at Elizabeth Academy. We believe in providing students with enriching experiences and extensions that deepen their understanding of the humanities content and curriculum. We offer electives including journalism, foreign language (Spanish), creative writing, theater, and more, allowing students to explore their interests while earning credits toward graduation.
Students have the opportunity to apply the skills and concepts they learn in humanities classrooms through real-life experiences, such as publishing the school newspaper, attending culturally enriching field trips, and engaging in community service projects that align with the curriculum. These experiential extensions not only reinforce academic learning but also prepare students for college and career paths by fostering leadership, collaboration, and communication skills in meaningful, hands-on contexts. These experiences are tailored to meet the individual goals and outcomes of each student, ensuring that all students are prepared for life after high school.
STEM Curriculum
Mathematics
At Elizabeth Academy, our math instruction emphasizes an individualized curriculum and skill-building, with a focus on practical life skills and real-world application. The math curriculum thrives on a balance of practical life skills and continued academic growth, ensuring that students engage in tasks tailored to their needs. This approach supports their growth and understanding of math in everyday contexts, preparing them to meet and exceed graduation requirements.
For high school students, the math curriculum is designed to not only meet but exceed graduation requirements, aligning with grade-level standards while preparing students for college and their future careers. Students are grouped so that every individual is both challenged and supported, allowing them to acquire the math skills necessary for their post-secondary experiences. The curriculum also includes opportunities to earn CTE credits, helping students to gain valuable, career-ready skills. By tailoring instruction to each student’s learning goals, support plans, and any learning differences, we ensure that all students leave Elizabeth Academy with a strong mathematical foundation that will serve them well in any future endeavor.
Science
Our Montessori-inspired science curriculum has proven itself to be outstanding, as our students consistently display high test scores in science, across ability levels, year after year. Creativity and critical thinking skills are expanded as the science program emphasizes community learning as well as individualized instruction. Students engage in hands-on, developmentally appropriate tasks and small group activities. This approach ensures that students experience practical, real-world applications of scientific concepts.
At the high school level, our science curriculum is designed to meet and exceed graduation requirements by providing students with a deep understanding of scientific principles. The curriculum is aligned with grade-level standards and includes opportunities to earn CTE credits through specialized STEM electives and hands-on projects. This approach ensures that students are well-prepared for college, careers, and other post-secondary pursuits. Instruction is tailored to each student’s individual goals, support plans, and any learning differences or disabilities, ensuring that all students are prepared for life after high school, whether that involves further education, entering the workforce, or pursuing vocational training.
Experiential Extensions in STEM
Science, technology, engineering, math, oh my! The connections and applications of hands-on learning in these areas are limitless in a secondary Montessori setting. At Elizabeth Academy, we offer courses like The Science of Farm To Table, where students learn and grow their own garden, as well as the science behind cooking. We also offer a Microeconomy class, teaching students financial literacy and budgeting skills while engaging in creative outlets to create unique artistic products through our school store, The Elizabees. Students have many opportunities to learn in nature, explore the richness of Utah’s landscape, and participate in field experiences that provide direct interaction with the content they are learning.
These STEM experiential extensions allow students to apply the skills and concepts they learn in the classroom to real-world scenarios, helping them meet graduation requirements in a meaningful way while preparing them for college, careers, and beyond. Each experience is designed to align with students’ individual goals and support plans, ensuring that all students can achieve the most positive outcomes for life after high school.
Electives: Extensions and Expansions
Integrated learning naturally occurs in a Montessori classroom and is enhanced at Elizabeth Academy with the assistance of enrichment specialists. We have the resources to accommodate individual development, expression, and need through artistic integration and sensory learning. At the secondary level, students are empowered to tailor their educational journey by choosing from an array of elective options taught by our enrichment specialists. These electives include visual art, music, dance, theater, film studies, research, reading, and physical education, all of which align with students’ individual goals and interests while contributing to meeting graduation requirements.
High school students are provided with opportunities to earn Career and Technical Education (CTE) credits through hands-on electives and real-world learning experiences. These experiences are designed to prepare students for college, careers, and life after high school. Students can also engage in internships that provide practical, work-based learning in fields related to their interests, helping them to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings.
In addition to the rich elective offerings, Elizabeth Academy supports students’ overall well-being and academic success through a range of private therapies. These include speech, music, occupational, and physical therapy, tailored to meet the individual needs of each student. These therapies not only support students’ physical and emotional health but also ensure that they are fully equipped to achieve their educational goals and prepare for life beyond high school.
The Arts & Therapies
Elizabeth Academy infuses the arts into everything we do. We believe Montessori is the art of education and inclusive best practices require the arts to reach all students and creatively expand their knowledge into academic core concepts and other growth areas of life. At all levels in Primary and Secondary school we are cognizant of the basic four arts disciplines: Visual Art, Music, Dance and Theatre. We cultivate sequential learning of art concepts in arts classes and allow the students individual creative expression. Collectively in Secondary, we combine to showcase our academic projects and arts learning in end of year plays, a film festival, art gallery and musical performances.
For students requiring extra academic or other support at Elizabeth Academy, we offer specific therapies that are naturally integrated into the classroom studies. Students needing additional private or semi-private therapies may contract with our therapy providers for private therapy support. We collaborate weekly with interventionists and private therapists to coordinate in leveling classroom lessons and implement individual goals in all settings; the classroom, the stage or at home. Private therapies at Elizabeth Academy secondary include: Speech Therapy, Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT). We also have outside sources for: Visual Art Therapy and Academic Therapy.
Therapies ~ Integrated and Private:
Our inclusive program is further enriched with the support of highly experienced and professional private therapists. Whether private therapy is recommended or not, the support of these professionals is felt by ALL students in the classroom as they integrate their professional expertise naturally into the classroom. For students requiring extra academic or other support at Elizabeth Academy, we recommend specific private therapies that are also naturally integrated into classroom studies as therapists collaborate with classroom teachers.
Students needing additional private or semi-private therapies may contract with our therapy providers for private therapy support. We collaborate weekly with interventionists and private therapists to coordinate in leveling classroom lessons and implement individual goals in all settings; in the classroom, at home, or on their own world stage. Private therapies at Elizabeth Academy Secondary include Speech Therapy, Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy (OT), and Physical Therapy (PT). We also have outside sources for Visual Art Therapy and Academic Therapy.
The Arts
Art, including visual art, theater, music, and dance, provides students with a natural way to communicate understanding of concepts and ideas while developing creativity and design skills. These skills are transferable across numerous subject areas and professions, making The Arts a vital component of a well-rounded education. Through The Arts, students can earn elective credits that contribute to graduation requirements, while also preparing for college and potential careers in creative industries. The hands-on nature of these courses allows students to explore their passions deeply and meaningfully, ensuring they are prepared for the next steps in their academic and professional journeys.
Microeconomy
The Microeconomy class immerses students in real-world economic principles by running a student-led business. This course covers everything from product ideation and creation to sales and financial management, offering students the opportunity to earn CTE credits. By engaging in this hands-on experience, students gain practical skills in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business management, all of which are essential for college readiness and career success. This course also allows students to explore their interests in economics and business, providing a strong foundation for post-secondary education and professional endeavors.
Farm to Table
The Farm to Table course allows learners to explore the entire food production process, from growing and harvesting produce to preparing and cooking meals. This course integrates practical skills with an understanding of sustainable agriculture and nutrition, offering a comprehensive hands-on learning experience. Students earn CTE credits while acquiring valuable life skills that are applicable in both personal and professional contexts. This course also provides opportunities for internships in agriculture, culinary arts, and related fields, helping students to build a strong resume and prepare for college and career pathways.
The high school follows the school year calendar. Classes start at the end of August and continue until the end of May each year. The school day starts at 8:30am and ends at 3:30pm with an early release on Fridays at 12:45pm.
We invite parents to review the Elizabeth Academy enrollment process, then schedule an in-person tour to meet faculty, explore our campus and get all your questions answered.
To schedule a tour at either campus, please submit a request through the button below. For answers to general questions, fill and submit the form below.