Career Academy of Utah General FAQs

Career Academy of Utah (CAU) is a K–12 online public charter school currently enrolling full-time students in grades K–9 for the 2023–2024 academic school year. In subsequent years, these grades will be added:

• Fall 2024 – 10th grade
• Fall 2025 – 11th grade
• Fall 2026– 12th grade

Students must reside in Utah. To enroll for the 2023–2024 academic school year, students must be entering grades K–9.*

Enrollment in Career Academy of Utah is limited. If the number of applications received during the open enrollment period exceeds the number of available spaces, CAU will hold a lottery immediately following the open enrollment period. Students whose applications are not selected by the lottery may opt to be placed on an enrollment waitlist.

For each enrollment period, if there are more applications for admission in any grade than available openings in that grade, CAU will conduct a lottery to determine which students will be admitted. CAU will conduct its lottery electronically and notify accepted students via email or telephone. Students whose applications are not selected by the lottery may opt to be placed on an enrollment waitlist.

Consistent with Utah Code § 53G-6-502, the following students shall receive preference in CAU’s lottery in the following order: a child or grandchild of an individual who has actively participated in the development of CAU; a sibling of an individual who was previously or is presently enrolled in CAU; or a child of an employee of CAU.

CAU will not give preference to any student and does not make enrollment decisions on any basis prohibited by state or federal law, including federal civil rights laws and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (“IDEA”). Specifically, CAU does not request any student data of applicants other than their name, grade level, and parent contact information prior to the lottery.

CAU’s lottery will be conducted immediately following the close of the enrollment period each year with additional periodic lotteries as needed until the desired enrollment numbers are reached. At the discretion of the executive director, CAU may continue to enroll students from the lottery throughout the school year to fill spots left open when students withdraw.

In accordance with Utah Code § 53G-8-205(3), CAU may deny admission to students who were expelled from CAU or any other school during the preceding 12 months. Additionally, consistent with Utah Administrative Code Rule R277-472-6, CAU may deny admission to students who have disciplinary procedures pending at their previous school until previous allegations have been resolved.

Parents of students seeking admission to CAU must disclose their students’ past disciplinary actions and criminal convictions. If this information is not disclosed in connection with a student’s application and is discovered after the student is enrolled, the student will be immediately suspended until CAU’s administration investigates the matter and reaches a final disciplinary decision in accordance with school policy. Situations involving students receiving special education and related services under IDEA shall be handled consistent with applicable laws and school policy.

CAU is a tuition-free public charter school. We provide Utah-licensed teachers and instructional materials. Students and families will be responsible for providing some consumable materials (such as printer ink and paper). Our enrollment consultants can help address your technological and computer questions and needs.

Yes, we provide textbooks and instructional materials. These books and materials are dependent on the student’s grade level and the courses they are enrolled in.

The elementary program is self-paced and flexible within the parameters of the curriculum. Middle and high school students complete lessons in synchronous and asynchronous sessions and are expected to complete quizzes, tests, and other assignments in a timely manner.

Core courses are offered in language arts, math, science, and history. Other courses in the appropriate grade levels include art, health or physical education, music, world languages, and more. High school students can choose from a variety of electives, including career-focused courses. 

Yes. However, based on financial need and eligibility, Career Academy of Utah may loan a computer to each enrolled student to support the learning process upon request. These computers are Career Academy of Utah instructional property and must be returned when the student leaves the school. CAU will arrange for technical support and troubleshooting for these systems. Each family will need to secure their own internet service provider.

Students spend time with classmates online and through school outings, field trips, and other activities. In addition to school-based clubs, K12 online national clubs help connect students with like interests and passions.

High school students have the opportunity to pursue in-person or virtual internships, apprenticeships, and other work-related experiences. This experiential approach to education, through relevant and authentic applications, mimics the real-world environment of the workplace. The school weaves project-based learning and professional skill development into all aspects of each student’s education.

CAU does provide specific special education services. To determine if available services align with your student’s needs, please contact our office at 877.529.5729 to speak with a special education placement counselor.

All students enrolled for the entire school year must attend 180 instructional days per school year. The total instructional days are prorated based on the student’s start date. The daily expected instructional time is five hours for grades K–5 and six hours for grades 6–12.**

Visit the How to Enroll page on the Career Academy of Utah website for information on enrolling your student.