Canyon Grove Academy announced it is opening a new Arts Academy campus in Lehi for the upcoming school year, a development that will provide specialized elective options for both elementary and secondary students. The new facility, located at 3046 W Maple Loop Drive, is intended to serve as the central hub for the school's newly introduced Arts Academy programming.
New Curriculum Structure
The expansion of the public charter school includes a new curriculum structure designed to replace previous 'Innovations' and 'Discovery' programs with more specialized tracks. According to Canyon Grove Academy, the new offerings include Expeditionary Learning, STEM, and the Arts Academy. The school stated that families can select programs and schedules that best fit their child's specific learning needs.
Social Media Announcement Details
In a social media announcement on June 6, Canyon Grove Academy expressed excitement regarding the launch of the new Arts School. When asked by a community member if the Lehi location would serve only secondary students or include elementary students as well, the academy confirmed that the new campus will accommodate both age groups.
Customized Electives and Surveys
The Arts Academy at the Lehi campus is designed to allow families to build customized schedules around their children's passions. The school plans to offer a variety of electives that may include piano, dance, choir, art, karate, and theater. To finalize the specific course offerings for the first year, Canyon Grove Academy will distribute a parent survey to determine which electives are most desired by the community.
Expeditionary Learning Program Features
Students can choose from three distinct program tracks at the new location. The first option is Expeditionary Learning, an off-campus elective for students in grades 2 through 6. This program focuses on hands-on learning in nature and includes activities such as fishing, paddleboarding, nature hikes, ice skating, pickleball, snowshoeing, climbing walls, tumbling, and outdoor sports. While the learning takes place outdoors, drop-off and pick-up for these students will occur at the Pleasant Grove campus, with buses provided to transport them to various activity sites.
STEM Track and Technology
The second program track is a STEM-focused option that utilizes resources located at the school's Pleasant Grove campus. This track includes 21st-century technology experiences in a 'Smart Lab,' where students engage in activities like 3-D printing, video game making, CADD, retro platforming, and digital coding and art creation. Students also participate in missions within a Space Center and Planetarium to explore astronomy.
Homesteading and Agricultural Learning
Additionally, the STEM track features a 'Homesteading' experiential class. This interdictary program connects students to the food system through planting, pruning, gardening, nutrition, meal planning, cooking, and canning as part of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Students also participate in animal husbandry by learning to ethically raise and care for livestock such as poultry, goats, or bees. Students enrolled in this STEM track may also choose one elective from the Lehi Arts Academy to attend during a separate block of time.
The third option available at the Lehi campus is a full Arts Academy elective. This track allows students to choose up to three electives per semester, ranging from fine arts to group piano lessons and dance. The school noted that all elective programs are optional for students.
Canyon Grove Academy, which was established in 2010, operates as a public charter school with an enrollment capacity of 1,198 K-12 students. The school's educational model includes 'Epic' programs for elementary students (K-6) and 'Hyflex' programs for secondary students (7-12). Epic students attend campus for 1.5 days per week, while Hyflex students attend for 2.5 days per week, completing the remainder of their coursework at home.
Enrollment for the upcoming academic year begins each January, and current enrollment is subject to availability. The academy provides various transportation services, including buses from Lake Point to West Valley, Eagle Mountain to Lehi, and Springville to Pleasant Grove.
As part of its commitment to student welfare, the school maintains several administrative policies, including a common dress code intended to minimize distractions and increase campus safety. The academy also implements Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to minimize pesticide use on the interior of its facilities.
