State laws change from time to time and though we try to keep the laws up-to-date at all times please check with the department of education for any changes that may have occurred.
There are many reasons to seriously consider homeschooling: you’re in control of what your children are learning, you get to decide how much time you want to spend on different subjects, you can adapt the material to suit your children’s needs, and you don’t have to worry about your children dealing with schoolyard bullies.
Whether you’ve already made this decision or you just plan to, we’re here to show you how to start homeschooling in Utah. We’ll help you make full use of the educational potential of Utah, let you in on the Utah homeschool laws, and offer you a diverse range of useful online homeschool resources that will guarantee your homeschooling success. Use the infographic and video below to create a homeschool that thrives.
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The Beehive State
Utah is not a beehive just because it’s nickname says so – it’s really one of the most active and fastest-growing US states. In fact, it’s probably the best US state to live in, according to a 2012 Gallup survey.
Unsurprisingly, then, there’s plenty to do in terms of educational activities. This geographically-varied state offers lots of wonderful views, from the desert landscapes of the Arches National Park to the snowy peaks of Mount Timpanogos. Enjoy beautiful hikes through the Deer Creek State Park, the Zion National Park, or go boating on the Bear Lake, near Garden City.
If history’s more of your thing, you’ve got a variety of museums to explore and learn from. The Natural History Museum of Utah is a great all-around choice, while the Hill Aerospace Museum, in Ogden, is perfect for those interested in aviation and military history.
Art enthusiasts will love the Utah museums and galleries. The Museum of Art at Brigham Young University holds great collections of contemporary and traditional art, while the Nine Mile Ranch, in Wellington, offers the chance to explore the local prehistoric art.
Homeschooling in Utah: Requirements
The homeschooling laws in Utah are extremely permissive, and you shouldn’t really have any legal trouble homeschooling in The Beehive State.
The first thing you need to do if you plan to homeschool your children is to file a notice of intent, or affidavit, with the local superintendent. This is a one-time procedure, and you’ll only have to renew it if you move to a new school district. Each year, the local superintendent will issue a certificate stating that your children will not attend a public school during the current school year.
Other than that, there’s really nothing else that you need to worry about. There are no compulsory subjects, qualifications, bookkeeping or assessment requirements, and there’s no minimum amount of instruction time that you need to provide to your children.
Homeschooled children can also benefit from part-time public school enrollment, extracurricular activities, and special needs services.
In fact, Utah laws might be a bit too permissive. Since the only education proof required by law is the notice of intent, educational neglect is impossible to prove in court.
Utah Homeschool Friendliness Grade
We’re giving Utah a B in terms of homeschool friendliness, and it’s really only because the legal system is a bit careless in dealing with educational neglect. However, serious homeschoolers will find the Utah laws to be just about perfect for their educational needs – and if you’re among them, tou and your children will love homeschooling in the Beehive State!
Conclusion
Homeschooling in Utah shouldn’t be too difficult, especially considering the extremely lax homeschool laws. Make sure you keep your children happily learning, and take full advantage of the many educational opportunities the Beehive State provides.
For any questions on how to homeschool in Utah, the vibrant homeschooling community is always available, regardless of your region, religion or homeschooling experience. Get in touch with fellow Utah homeschoolers and take part in the many homeschooling events in your area – you and your children will love learning your own way!
Resources
Here’s a selection of websites that will help you homeschool in Utah:
http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/UT/ - the official HSLDA page has everything you need to know about UT homeschool laws, as well as plenty of local news and information
http://www.uhea.org/ - the Utah Home Education Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families homeschooling in Utah
http://utahhomeschooladventureclub.blogspot.com/ - this is a nice website where you can find ideas, resources and events related to homeschooling in Utah