Jocelyn K
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Scholarships
Are you worried about how to pay for higher education? Most students and parents are. However, with a little bit of work, you will find many scholarship opportunities you qualify and can apply for! It will take some digging around, but there are scholarships available for everyone!
When you think about possible places to look, we will give you some helpful websites to check below. However, also think about your own community. Many local governments, businesses, clubs and organizations offer scholarships to their residents. Ask around! Also, think about what your interests and talents are. You can search online for scholarships using those key words. You’ll be surprised at what you’ll find! Finally, talk with your counselor and brainstorm some additional ways you can search for scholarships.
A Scholarship Guide for Women
BestColleges.com has put together a very thorough scholarship and financial aid guide for women. It also has information on colleges, applications and other important information on the college search process.
Utah offers its students opportunities for scholarships. Read below to find out more about each one.
Opportunity Scholarship (replacing the Regent Scholarship)
New legislation passed during the 2021 session created a simplified, statewide, achievement-based scholarship—the Opportunity Scholarship. This scholarship encourages high school students to prepare for college academically and financially by taking college courses in high school when the tuition cost is very minimal (CE courses are $5 per credit hour).
The Opportunity Scholarship can be used at Dixie State University, Salt Lake Community College, Snow College, Southern Utah University, Utah State University, Utah Valley University, University of Utah, Weber State University and the following private, non-profit institutions in Utah: Brigham Young University (Provo), Ensign College, Westminster College, and Western Governors University.
Students may defer use of the scholarship to attend a technical college that is part of the Utah System of Higher Education and then transfer to an eligible institution listed above. Deferment of the Opportunity Scholarship may also be granted for students who plan to provide a religious, humanitarian, or military service, face medical reasons they cannot attend school, or other reasons approved by an eligible institution. Scholarship recipients must coordinate any deferment with individual institutions before departure.
To earn the Opportunity Scholarship, you must:
- Earn a 3.3 cumulative high school GPA
- Complete 3 advanced courses
- Complete 1 Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Concurrent Enrollment (CE) course in each of the core areas of high school graduation, including: math, science, and language arts. (Make sure to verify the specific courses that qualify in each of these categories)
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Graduate from a Utah high school
For the class of 2022 only: Students graduating with the class of 2022 may qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship through a Regents’ Track by completing the requirements previously set for the Regents’ Scholarship or the Advanced Course Track by meeting the [new Opportunity Scholarship] requirements detailed above. Details regarding Regents’ Track can be found here.
For the class of 2023 and beyond: Students may only qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship by completing the advanced course track described above. No exceptions will be made.
The scholarship can be amended each year by Utah Legislation. It is important that you consistently check their website as your resource for the most up-to-date information.
Sterling Scholar
ELIGIBILITY/ QUALIFICATIONS
The Sterling Scholar Awards are open to Utah high school seniors. The selection process and nomination of students to compete on the region level is determined by each high school, but the students must meet the Sterling Scholar Standards listed below.
- Sterling Scholar officials consider a high school senior if they will be graduating with the senior class in the expected year.
- High school seniors who attend college classes full or part time or are classified as foreign exchange students are eligible for the Sterling Scholar Awards. However, the program is designed to recognize scholastic achievement in Utah high schools. The student has to be still enrolled in high school.
- To be selected as a Sterling Scholar nominee, students must have extraordinary scholarship scores as well as service in leadership and citizenship opportunities in the Utah high school. It is up to each high school to determine if an individual has been in attendance enough to experience these leadership and citizenship opportunities.
Selection of winners and runners-up will be made on the basis of scholarship, leadership, and citizenship as demonstrated through activities and interests in an area of high school education characterized by one of the program categories. The general measurement will be defined and applied in this manner:
SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship (50 points) Overall GPA, difficulty of class schedule, ACT score of 17 or above, and class ranking. While judges will seek evidence of growth and service in all activities, the nominee’s talent and aptitude towards their category will receive particular emphasis.
LEADERSHIP
Leadership (25 points) The qualities of leadership in Utah high schools can be measured in part by the responsibilities placed on a student by his/her teachers and fellow students. However, evidence of positive and uplifting influence with fellow students will also be considered as indication of leadership.
CITIZENSHIP
Citizenship (25) Each Sterling Scholar nominee should exhibit a record of high standard of citizenship through his/her high school years. Service to school, community, and/or other organizations shall be considered. The nominee’s attitude toward and acceptance of responsibility in contributing roles, as well as seeking out service opportunities will be especially important. Evidence of a long-term commitment to service will also receive particular attention.
Carson Smith Scholarship Program
If you are the parent of a child with an IEP enrolled in a public school, we are required by Utah Code Section 53A-1a-704(10) to inform you of the availability of a scholarship to attend a private school through the Carson Smith Scholarship Program. Find more information here.
T.H. Bell Scholarship
The T.H. Bell Scholarship is for those intent on entering the teaching profession in Utah. It can be used at all public or private institutions in Utah that offer an approved program.
Utah Promise Scholarship
The Utah Promise Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship program in Utah. It is available to recent high school graduates and adult learners at Utah’s public colleges and universities, as well as Utah’s public technical colleges. It is available for up to two years, four semesters, or an associate degree, whichever comes first. Award amounts vary based on individual circumstances. For questions regarding this program students should contact Financial Aid office at the college or university they plan to attend.
Career & Technical Education Scholarship
Career and Technical Education Scholarship is a scholarship for noncredit programs at select USHE institutions including Salt Lake Community College, Snow College, and Utah State University Eastern and USU-Moab. This scholarship is available to students who enroll in high-demand, non-credit certificate programs. For questions regarding this program students should contact the Financial Aid office at the college or university they plan to attend.
ScholarBox
ScholarBox is a free online resource to find scholarships for you!
MHA students are encouraged to create an account and link their profile to Mountain Heights Academy. Scholar-Box.com provides FREE web based scholarship tools to help students find and apply for scholarships. They are a locally based company that helps connect students with local scholarships. Student info is protected and not sold to third parties. They’ll keep track of scholarships you have viewed, applied for, or chosen to ignore. Scholarships are rated by competitiveness and amount of time needed to complete based on the information required. Students can go directly to the scholarship’s website to apply.
College Greenlight | Cappex
College Greenlight or Cappex is a free online resource to find local and national scholarships for you.
- View local and national scholarships available to you
- Get matched with scholarships based on your interests
- Scholarships are rated by competitiveness and effort to apply.
Zinch
Zinch connect students to scholarships based on your comprehensive student profile.
Financial Aid & Loans 101
A Guide to Financial Aid for College
Financial Aid is any grant or scholarship, loan, or paid employment offered to help a student meet his/her college expenses. Such aid is usually provided by various sources such as federal and state agencies, colleges, high schools, foundations, and corporations. The amount of financial aid that a student receives is determined through federal, state and institutional guidelines. Grants include aid the student receives that need not be repaid; loans must be repaid. Interest rates and repayment terms vary by program. Employment is aid based on an hourly rate for work performed.
To help our students coordinate funding and scholarships for their future education, we’ve put together some resources.
Research Schools
It’s important to start at the beginning when it comes to financial aid for college. Different schools will have different options for aid internally (i.e. different scholarships available, etc.) and outside sources such as third-party scholarships will have certain standards about the schooling that they’re funding. As you research different schooling options, make sure that your chosen university is accredited. An accredited college not only ensures that you’re getting a well-rounded education, but also makes it easier to get financial aid, transfer credits, find a job, and enroll in post-grad education.
Calculate Your College Budget
Understand College Loans and Financial Aid
- BigFuture Paying for College
- Paying for College Guide
- Understanding Student Loans
- Guide to Understanding Financial Aid
- FASFA Walkthrough
- Online Course on Paying for College
More Resources for Financial Aid
NCAA Eligibility
Mountain Heights Academy is a NCAA approved school.
If you wish to participate in NCAA Division I or II athletics, you need to be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center. You need to qualify academically and you need to be cleared as an amateur student-athlete.
As a student athlete, you are responsible for achieving and protecting your eligibility status. It is recommended that you register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at the beginning of your sophomore year if you think you may want to participate in college athletics. You will then want transcripts sent to the NCAA at the end of your junior year and again at the end of your senior year. You will also want to make sure that your ACT or SAT scores are sent to the NCAA. You can do this by entering the NCAA code 9999 when registering for the ACT or SAT test.
Utah Division I schools: Brigham Young University, University of Utah, Utah State University, Weber State University, Utah Valley University
Utah Division II schools: Dixie State University
Please review the resources below and contact your school counselor with any questions.
Graduation Requirements
High School Diploma Graduation Requirements: 27 credits
English 4.0 credits
- 1.0 credit English 9
- 1.0 credit English 10
- 1.0 credit English 11
- 1.0 credit English 12
Mathematics 3.0 credits
- 1.0 Secondary Math I
- 1.0 Secondary Math II
- 1.0 Secondary Math III or 1.0 credit from the Advanced, Applied, or Foundation course list.
Science 3.0 credits
- 2.0 credits from the four foundation areas: Earth Systems, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- 1.0 credit from the foundation courses or the applied/advanced science core list
Social Studies 3.0 credits
- 0.5 credit Geography
- 0.5 credit World Civilizations
- 1.0 credit U.S. History
- 0.5 credit US Government and Citizenship
- 0.5 credit Social Studies elective
Financial Literacy 0.5 credits
- 0.5 credit Financial Literacy
Health and P.E. 2.0 credits
- 0.5 credit of Fitness for Life
- 0.5 Lifetime Sports
- 0.5 Participation Skills & Techniques
- 0.5 credit Health
Fine Arts 1.5 credits
- 1.5 credits Fine Arts Electives
CTE (Career/Technology Education) 1.0 credits
- 1.0 credit CTE elective
Digital Literacy 0.5 credit
- 0.5 credit Exploring Computer Science or 0.5 credit Computer Programming I
Electives 8.5 credits
- 8.5 credits Electives
Honors Diploma Requirements: 27 credits
*3.0 or greater GPA required*
English 4.0 credits
- 1.0 credit English 9
- 1.0 credit English 10
- 1.0 credit English 11
- 1.0 credit English 12
Mathematics 4.0 credits
- 1.0 Secondary Math I
- 1.0 Secondary Math II 1.0 credit
- 1.0 Secondary Math III
- 1.0 credit from the Advanced, Applied, or Foundation course list.
Science 4.0 credits
- 3.0 credits from the four foundation areas: Earth Systems,Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- 1.0 credit from the foundation courses or the applied/advanced science core list
Social Studies 4.0 credits
- 0.5 credit Geography
- 0.5 credit World Civilizations
- 1.0 credit U.S. History
- 0.5 credit US Government and Citizenship
- 1.5 credit Social Studies Electives
Financial Literacy 0.5 credits
- 0.5 credit Financial Literacy
Health and P.E. 2.0 credits
- 0.5 credit of Fitness for Life
- 0.5 Lifetime Sports
- 0.5 Participation Skills & Techniques
- 0.5 credit Health
Fine Arts 1.5 credits
- 1.5 credits Fine Arts Electives
CTE (Career/Technology Education) 1.0 credits
- 1.0 credit CTE elective
Digital Literacy 0.5 credit
- 0.5 credit Exploring Computer Science or 0.5 credit Computer Programming I
Electives 5.5 credits
- 2.0 credits of a World Language
- 3.5 credits Electives
Grading Scale
- A 93-100%
- A- 90-92.9%
- B+ 87-89.9%
- B 83-86.9%
- B- 80-82.9%
- C+ 77-79.9%
- C 73-76.9%
- C- 70-72.9%
- D+ 67-69.9%
- D 63-66.9%
- D- 60-62.9%
- F 0-59.9.9%
Credit Recovery and Original Credit Resources
Credit recovery is available for students in grades 9-12 who failed a core class while enrolled full-time at Mountain Heights Academy during the previous school year. Students can only enroll in credit recovery if they took the original credit class and received an F. Counselors will be double-checking each registration for accuracy.
Students who failed elective classes will either have to take another class to replace the credit or do grade replacement. Grade replacement is when the student takes the same class for a second time to earn a new passing letter grade. Please discuss all options available to you with your school counselor.
Summer Credit Recovery can be signed up for at this link. Our credit recovery is available to students who were enrolled full-time with us in Q4 or are fully enrolled for SY 24/25. Please read the additional information on the Google form regarding the credit recovery session dates.
Mountain Heights Academy
Mountain Heights Academy holds 4 credit recovery sessions during the school year for credit recovery of core classes. Each session lasts 6 weeks. The cost is $20 for each .25 credit. To sign up, click on the link that is provided by your counselor for each session.
Mountain Heights Academy Summer School takes place in June and July and allows students to make up credit in core class areas. The cost is the same as midyear credit recovery. Summer school students who were enrolled full-time during the previous academic year are able to use a Chromebook that they received during the school year. Once credit recovery is completed, students are required to return the Chromebook to our West Jordan office. There are no exceptions to this policy. Mountain Heights Academy classes can be accessed from any computer that has access to the internet, but students will not be successful when trying to complete classes on a personal cell phone.
Brigham Young University Independent Study
BYU-IS is now offering core and elective credit recovery classes during the summers. Each course costs $95. They have unit pretests that prescribes an individualized student learning path with a mastery-based approach. There is also a comprehensive final exam. If a student does well on the unit pretests, all the assignments in that unit will be waived. If a student feels confident, they are able to skip straight to the comprehensive final exam. Visit their website or call (801) 422-3510 for more info. Semester original credit classes are also available for $195-295.
Northridge Learning Center
The Northridge Learning Center is a packet make-up program. They have locations in Layton, Salt Lake, and West Jordan. The cost is $50 for each .25 credit. They have packets in all of the graduation requirement categories. Students may go into the location nearest them and sign up. They are given a packet to complete, and then return it and take a final test. The testing fee is $6.50. Students will have 90 days from the date the courses are issued to complete them. Northridge does also provide original credit for a letter grade.
East Shore
East Shore Online High School is from Alpine School District. Credit recovery options are only available to students who live within the district boundaries. Courses must be approved by Mountain Heights Academy, and students will be charged a $200 registration fee that is good for one year. Units are $5 each and are good for 30 days. If a unit is not completed within 30 days, a $5 renewal fee will apply. 2 units are required for 1 quarter of credit.
Canyons Virtual High School
Canyons School District has an option to do grade replacement for any failed courses.
Testing Centers
Northern Utah Testing Center
Districts Served: All districts north of Davis County
Phone: (801) 402-5385
Granite Regional Testing Center
Districts Served: All districts south of Davis County
Phone: (385) 646-6042
Alumni Corner
Let’s stay connected!
We love keeping in touch with our alumni and showing off your successes! Being a part of the Mountain Heights family not only helps you grow a great network, it helps current students see and reach their potential for success as well.
Tell us a little about yourself
News & Media
All press inquiries should be directed to:
DeLaina Tonks, Director
Mountain Heights Academy
801.725.3396
Herriman Journal, October 8, 2024: Visiting astronaut fuels interest in space careers
Deseret News, September 2024: An exchange program, but within America: How it works
Riverton Journal, March 2023: Student Projects may Save Lives, Win Prizes (pg. 28)
West Jordan Journal, March 8, 2023: Student Projects may Save Lives, Win Prizes
Rusty Keys, July 2022: Interview with Mountain Heights Academy Teacher
Rusty Keys, April 2022: Interview with Ben, Student at Mountain Heights Academy
Rusty Keys, March 2022: Interview with Science Teacher, Andrew Hulse
NHD.org, October 19, 2021: Utah Teachers Selected for National History Day Fall Webinar Series
Deseret News, September 4, 2021: The pandemic threw a spotlight on the virtues of virtual school
University World News, April 3, 2021: Learning how to learn is the future of higher education
KSL Newsradio: Live Mic with Lee Lonsberry, March 19, 2021: Online Charter Schools
WORLD Magazine, December 2, 2020: The exodus to online schools
KSL Newsradio, August 5, 2020: Social studies: Will digital learning impact social development?
The Salt Lake Tribune, August 4, 2020: Letter: Online schooling can be effective
KSL, July 23, 2020: Online learning is a perfect fit for some students, says online school principal
Utah Business, July 7, 2020: Adapt to Remote Work or Die
Ascend Math, May 22, 2020: Mountain Heights Academy Named a 2020 Ascend Math Gold Medal Recipient
eSchoolNews.com, May 1, 2020: Top Tips for Online Teaching from Educators Doing it Now
West Jordan Journal, April 15, 2020: Water Quality Education Creates Ripple Effect
Scholastic, April 1, 2020: Innovators of Tomorrow National Winner
West Jordan Journal, February 2020: Mountain Heights Academy Students Create Virtual Buddy Bench
Samsung Solve, January 2020: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow State Winners
National History Day, June 2019: State Winner
Best of State, May 2019: k-12 Online Education
eCybermission, April 20, 2018: eCybermission Competition State Winners 1st & 2nd Place
edWeb.net, December 13, 2017: Students Collaborate with Digital Tools to Support Bee Populations
EdHesive.org, December 7, 2017: Mountain Heights Academy, Beyond the Basics of CS
SETDA.org, November 1, 2017: 2017 Student Voices Winner
SETDA, June 28, 2017: SETDA Announces Utah’s Mountain Heights Academy 2017 Student Voice Award Winner
USDLA, May 2, 2017: Mountain Heights Academy Teacher Awarded USDLA Excellence in Teaching
eCybermission, April 27, 2017: Mountain Heights Academy Team Wins eCybermission Challenge
pbs.org, April 18, 2017: PBS Announces Educators Selected for the 2017 Digital Innovators Program
Fox13Now.com, February 7, 2017: How this Local School is Revolutionizing the Way Teens Learn
Education Matters, February 2017: Innovation through Technology
eSchool News, September 16, 2016: How these 5 schools sustain innovation through technology
Herald Extra, May 27, 2016: Orem Violinist Named Presidential Scholar in the Arts
Moab Sun News, May 26, 2016: Backus to Compete for Rodeo Queen Title
Scholastic.com, April 20, 2016: Going Open
E-Learn Magazine, April 19, 2016: Mountain Heights Academy; a 100% Digital School
KSL.com, March 21, 2016 :3 Ways the education system in the US must evolve
UtahPublicEducation.org, March 8, 2016: Utah Launches Statewide #GoOpen Initiative
Studio5, March 1, 2016: Revolutionizing the education system via
Fresh Living, February 12, 2016: Four dealbreakers to look for in an online education experience
The Standard, May 13, 2015: Mountain Heights Student Dominates State Tennis 4A Tournament
abc4News, May 7, 2015: Online Academy Focuses on Giving Students Individual Attention
abc4Utah, May 7, 2015: Mountain Heights Academy
KSL.com, April 3, 2015: 6 myths about online schooling debunked
Good Things Utah, March 10, 2015: Online School Offers Real Life Learning
KSL.com, March 10, 2015: 5 Ways Online Education Benefits Students
YouTube, December 1, 2014: Mountain Heights Academy Student’s Winning Go-Pro Challenge Video
Good4Utah.com, September 3, 2014: An Alternative to Traditional School
KUTV Fresh Living, August 11, 2014: Mountain Heights Academy
Utah Business, June 26, 2014: People on the Move
LearnZillion, June 16, 2014: Three Utah Educators Participating in National ‘Dream Team’
Utah Business, May 23, 2014: Director DeLaina Tonks, 30 Women to Watch
Good Things Utah, March 3, 2014: Why a Mother and Daughter Love Mountain Heights Academy
The Davis Clipper, March 1, 2014: Reading Help Includes Tech
KUTV Fresh Living, February 20, 2014: Mountain Heights Academy
Deseret News, January 24, 2014: Hawthorne Elementary Students Treated to Storytime, Ipods
The Spectrum, January 24, 2014: Students Celebrate National Reading Day
Scholastic, December 2, 2013: Are Textbooks Relics of the Past?
Utah Business, October 8, 2013: Sara Layton, Highlighted Players in Utah Business
The Spectrum, September 1, 2013: Teacher Earns Accolades for Role in Digital Classroom
Salt Lake Tribune, August 11, 2013: Z’s to A’s: Do Utah students suffer from lack of sleep?
Good4Utah.com, June 20, 2013: A Day in the Life of a Mountain Heights Academy Student
iNACOL, June 19, 2013: Open Educational Resources and Collaborative Content Development: A Practical Guide for State and School Leaders
Fox 13 News, April 12, 2013: Utah High School Students Attend Virtual Prom
The Spectrum, March 9, 2013: Sara Layton named Teacher of the Year Finalist
Studio 5, February 8, 2013: Studio 5 Explores Mountain Heights Academy
Daily Herald, February 7, 2013: Utah’s Online Public School Expanding to 7th, 8th Grades
Salt Lake Tribune, February 5, 2013: Online Education Celebrated For Expanding
Education Week, October 17, 2012: Open Ed Resources Encourage Teachers to Tinker
Studio 5, August 27, 2012: Open High School
Brigham Young University McKay Today Magazine, Spring 2012: Open Education
Deseret News, June 19, 2012: The 50 Best-Scoring High Schools in Utah (Open High School of Utah #31 in the State)
KSL.com, May 30, 2012: College Courses to be Made Available through Open High School
The Journal, May 16, 2012: Who Will Vet the Textbooks of the Future?
The Journal, May 9, 2012: Running a School on Open Educational Resources
Utah Business, May 7, 2012: Open High School of Utah Partners with Weber State University to Provide College Classes
Iterating Towards Openness, May 5, 2012: Open High School of Utah Keeps Winning Awards
Davis County Clipper, April 19, 2012: Online School Provides Option for Local Students
Education Week, February 8, 2012: Picking and Choosing Digital Content
Deseret News, January 19, 2012: Utah Teachers embrace School Choice
The Washington Times, January 18, 2012: School Choice gives Teachers Options
Forbes, January 2, 2012: Digital Classrooms: Is the Investment Paying Off?
OnlineSchools.com, December 20, 2011: Socialization for the 21st Century
EduTech West Central Region, December 2011: Open High School of Utah
EducationPortal.com, October 2011: Utah’s Open High is Making a Difference Around the World
Online-Education.net, September 2011: Are Women Opting Out of Science Careers
PAEMST Recognition Program: Amy Pace Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Iterating Toward Openness, September 14, 2011: Open High School of Utah Curriculum Release 2.0
KQED, MindShift, August 2, 2011: What Would the Freedom Riders Have Tweeted?
KQED, MindShift, July 27th, 2011: 5 Ways Teachers are Getting Inspired this Summer
Edutopia.org, July 25, 2011: Radical Curriculum Sharing at the Open High School of Utah
Online Schools.com, July 13, 2011: The 5 Best Online Teachers in America
Salt Lake Tribune, June 9, 2011: Open High School wins Tech Award
Daily Herald, June 5, 2011: Online Education may be Utah’s Future
Huffington Post, February 12, 2011: Open High: A Great Choice and Contribution
edReformer, February 2, 2011: Open High Blazing New Path
Parents for Choice in Education, January 13, 2011: Is This the Revolution We Have Been Waiting For?
The Deseret News, December 11, 2010: Bicknell Teacher Also Earns D.C. Honor
edReformer, December 9, 2010: Open High Teacher to Receive Presidential Award
edReformer, November 17, 2010: Open High School of Utah Mentioned by Arne Duncan
Open Ed Conference, November 2-4, 2010: Barcelona, Spain
Sliderocket, September 21, 2010: Back to School with Sliderocket and Google
edReformer, September 20, 2010: Utah Champion Skater is an Online Student
NetworkWorld, September 16, 2010: Open High is a school built entirely on Open Source
OpenSource.com, September 10, 2010: (Video) Open Source Goes to High School
OpenSource.com, September 7, 2010: Open Source Goes to High School
Iterating Toward Openness, September 7, 2010: OHSU OCW Opens
edReformer, September 7, 2010: Open HS Launches Open Resources Project
Salt Lake Tribune, November 23, 2010: U.S. Secretary of Education Praises Utah School
The Daily Universe July 14, 2010: Grad Receives Charter School Educator Award
Salt Lake Tribune July 5th, 2010: No Chalk in This Algebra Class, Just Digital Ink
KCSG Television July 1, 2010: Santa Clara Online Teacher Named Charter School Educator of the Year
edReformer, June 29, 2010: Math that’s Fast, Flexible, and Great for Kids
KSL.com June 29, 2010: Online math teacher is top charter school educator
White House, June 7, 2010: OHSU Science Teacher Amy Pace Receives the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Red Meat Radio, May 28th 2010: Inaugural Year Recap with DeLaina Tonks
Virtual Learning, March 26, 2010: Open Source Learning
Education Next, March 25, 2010: What We Can Learn From Utah’s Open High
Salt Lake Tribune, February 18, 2010: Students All A-Twitter in Their Virtual Capitol Tour
Fordham Institute, January 20, 2010: Open Source Education
Iterating Toward Openness, January 5, 2010: Enjoying the “Unaware/Unaware” Critics of OHSU
Salt Lake Tribune, January 2, 2010: Charter School Breaks Ground in Open Education
eSchool News, December 31, 2009: Open Course ware Gains Momentum
Recognition
Mountain Heights Academy has been recognized both locally and nationally for our personalized approach, academic opportunities, and award-winning teachers.
School Success
The amount of personalized instruction and teacher interaction available to students has not gone unnoticed. It’s helped us become the most highly-rated online school in Utah based on school grade, student test scores, graduation rate, and student progress.
Mountain Heights currently holds the highest level of accreditation through AdvancEd, the accrediting body for all secondary schools in Utah. We’ve received numerous prestigious awards and recognition, and in 2010, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan referenced Mountain Heights Academy as a top example of how technology is changing education for the better.
- eCyb
- Student Voices Award – State Ed Tech Director’s Association 2017
- Best of State- Online School 2018, 2019, 2020
- Best of State – K–12 Online Education 2015, 2016, 2017
- Best of State – Curriculum 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020
- Best of State – Charter School 2012, 2016, 2019, 2020
- USDLA Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching – Platinum 2016, 2017
- USDLA Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching – Gold 2015, 2012 (2)
- USDLA Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching – Silver 2014, 2012
- USDLA Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching – Bronze 2014
- 2015 Open Education Consortium Award for Best Course – Music Theory
- 2015 Open Education Consortium Award for Best Website
- 2016 Open Education Consortium Award for Best Course – Fitness for Life
Student Success
Students who have attended Mountain Heights Academy have found success as both students and alumni. Here’s a small sampling of what our students have achieved:
eCYBERMISSION State Winners 2018
eCYBERMISSION State, Regional, and National Winners 2019
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow State Winner 2020, 2021
eCYBERMISSION State, Regional, and National Winners 2019
eCYBERMISSION State Winners 2018
- US Presidential Scholars for the Arts
- Winner of STEMi Science Student Award
- Young Artist Award Winner
- Coca Cola Scholarship Finalist
- National Bell Choir Member
- Intern at Kenneth Burdett School of Deaf
- Chill Foundation Leadership
- National/International band and YouTube celebrity
- Rodeo circuit state finalist and national title holder
- Service learning in Peru
- American Leadership State Department service learning in Ghana
- Concertmaster at the Colburn School of Music in Los Angeles
- Soloist with Pasadena and San Fernando Orchestra
- English tutors in Korea
- Intern for Legislative Session
- Members of City Youth Council
- Guest performers with Utah Symphony
- Member of Team USA Baseball
- State and national chess tournament winner
- Stars of stage and film productions
- Mining Engineering Scholarship winner at University of Utah
- Participant in the TV show, The Voice
- Gold Medal in National Luge Championships
- Members of US Ski Team
- National champion skateboarder
- Olympic judo athlete
Faculty Success
All Mountain Heights Academy teachers and faculty are highly qualified, certified, and licensed. Several of our teachers and administrative staff have been recognized for their achievements in education.
- DeLaina Tonks, Director of Mountain Heights Academy, was awarded 2014 Utah Best of State Principal and was recognized as one of Utah’s Business 30 Women to Watch.
- Sarah Weston, Director of Tech & OER, was selected as the Charter School Teacher of the Year in 2010 in math. Sarah was the first online teacher in the state to receive the prestigious award.
- Sara Layton, language arts teacher, is a pioneer in the use of online secondary learning and open educational resources (OER) curriculum building. The State of Utah has recognized her work by naming her the Utah Charter School Teacher of the Year in 2014.
- Ashley Webb, CTE teacher, has been recognized by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for her vision, innovation, action and transformation using technology to improve learning and teaching.
- Amy Pace, science teacher, has been named a National PBBS Learning Media Digital Innovator. She is one of the 100 nationally selected educators to be recognized for her leadership and passion for integrating digital media and technology into the classroom. She has also been recognized with the Governor’s Medal of STEM Excellence for her career achievements and distinguished service that has benefited the State of Utah in the areas of science and technology.
- Crystal Van Ausdal, math teacher, was awarded the Utah Coalition of Educational Technology Outstanding Educator of the Year award in 2016.