Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
Utah Online School will soon be celebrating its 20th anniversary. Today it continues to provide nurturing, comprehensive, and flexible options for students K-12, tuition-free.
As the 2024-25 traditional school year has begun for most Utah children, more and more families are considering schools that offer greater flexibility to meet their children's needs.
From grade school to HS to college to being a professional educator
Sailor Mylroie is an exceptional example of a student who thrived in her Utah Online School (UOS) education. Sailor was one of the first students in Utah Online School when it started many years ago.
Sailor took to the online setting from the start. "My courses were engaging and fun for a young learner, and instilled a lifelong love of learning," Sailor said. "I was encouraged to build and practice my technological skills while connecting with other learners in my community." Sailor maintained a friend group with other Utah Online students as they attended the many in-person activities offered around the state.
A smooth transition from early to secondary education
As Sailor progressed to the 6-12 school, she initially felt some trepidation.
"I was nervous to leave my elementary teachers behind. Even before my first semester started, I was once again met with nothing but encouragement and support as teachers, counselors, and mentors helped me define my goals and develop a plan to achieve (them)."
Utah Online continued to help Sailor achieve her educational goals with greater flexibility and choice.
With more than 70 courses available the Utah Online School options are impressive.
"(They) provide a massive amount of courses for students to choose from," Sailor said. "The entire staff will work together to ensure that you have the chance to learn about not only the courses you need but the courses that interest you."
Some of the exciting course options that Utah Online offers include the following, but there are so many more!
- Chinese I & 2.
- Chinese Dual Immersion-Secondary Courses.
- American Sign Language.
- World Religions.
- Literature, Poetry, Shakespeare.
- Career Orientation and Exploration.
- Independent Music Studies, where students can earn high school credit for taking private music lessons.
- Core courses.
Flexible lives for families
Sailor's mother Erin Mylroie has been thrilled with the progress Sailor and her other children have made with their unique schedules.
"Enrolling my children at Utah Online School was one of the best decisions I ever made," said Erin. "Some years we spent a lot of time traveling, (and) UOS traveled with us. Other times we spent more time at home while my kids were working hard on musical instruments, sports, and extracurricular activities. Taking classes online meant there was time in the schedule to customize (their) education based on our family's needs."
Sailor experienced success in her learning at Utah Online School, and that passion has carried through into the years after her graduation. Keep reading to hear about how Sailor is sharing her passion with others.
Statistics speak for themselves
Sailor is not alone as a Utah Online success story.
- UOS now serves over 20,000 students annually.
- There are more than 200 teachers, counselors, and staff.
- The cumulative total of students served has exceeded 120,000.
- Their course completion rate exceeds 90%.
- The graduation rate is more than 95%.
The possibilities truly are endless as all students may participate in their schoolwork part-time while also spending part of their day at a boundary school, pursuing other interests, or gaining work experience, depending on their needs and interests.
All students in Utah are eligible for this flexible online education. In 2010, the Utah Legislature approved a Statewide Online Education Program that allows students to earn middle school and high school graduation credit through the completion of publicly funded online courses.
Sailor's story continues
Sailor's love of learning which started at Utah Online School has blossomed into a career in education. Sailor is now a high school teacher who shares her passion with her Honor's World Civilization students. Sailor is also continuing to learn and grow in her teaching by pursuing a master's degree in Educational Technology. "My goal is to share the love of learning that I gained at Utah Online School with my students across the state of Utah."
Enroll today in Utah's premier online school, serving K12 students with both full and part-time options for 20 years. Utah Online School is an accredited public school, free to Utah students.
