Secondary School Program 

Parent/Student Secondary Handbook

Our secondary school program provides a structured yet flexible educational experience designed to support students in meeting their academic objectives. Through high flexible learning, concurrent enrollment opportunities, and elective courses, students can engage in a well-rounded curriculum.

Our philosophy is to allow students to take charge of their learning and support them in reaching their educational goals. Each location is setup to allow students to have a structured and unique learning experience where they get the opportunity to learn how to set good study habits and reach their goals.

CGA Secondary Graphic SY25-26 (2)

Schedule 

Core hyflex classes are available on Mondays and Wednesdays in

• South Jordan – 10494 S Redwood Rd, South Jordan, UT 84095
• Payson – Huish PACE Center, 96 W Utah Ave, Payson, UT 84651

and Tuesday and Thursday in

• American Fork – 727 E Utah Valley Drive, #102, American Fork, Utah 84003

Activities occur every other Friday, details will be sent out before each activity.

Junior High Program (Grades 7-8)

Junior High Curriculum

During their day on campus, students will receive instruction for Science, History, STEM, Writing, Art, and Career and College Readiness, Math and English Language Arts.   

Additionally you will have

• Access to tutors 
• Education that fits your student’s needs 
• Hybrid live teaching and at-home learning

Classes are kept to a small size to allow for students to get individualized instruction and tutor access is available for students who want or need further assistance. 

The Hyflex High School program allows students to earn both a high school diploma and a General Education Certificate of Completion (GECC) through concurrent enrollment. Students take college-level courses while in high school, earning both college credits and a GECC that can transfer to Utah public colleges and universities. This certificate accelerates progress toward an associate degree, as it covers core coursework, and students can transfer to a USHE (most major universities in Utah) school to complete their electives.

Our program focuses on intrinsic motivation and self-mastery, helping students develop time management skills and encouraging them to seek help when needed. By setting high expectations and offering guided freedom, we apply the Pygmalion Effect, motivating students to excel.

CE classes must be attended in person and are taught live by highly educated professionals that go through a rigorous approval process. These teachers strive to teach students in a way that will allow students to learn the material as well as be prepared for the rigorous standards of a university education. The teachers are available for questions and help as well as the tutors. 

High school-only classes are flexible and competency-based. They allow you to learn on your schedule and at your own pace while adapting the curriculum to meet your learning needs. 

Tutoring Support

Students have access to online tutoring services, or in person on the Pleasant Grove campus.

Linked here is the sign-up for tutoring. Tutors are available to help with any subject and are trained to direct students toward self-sustaining learning habits. 

Student Leadership and Student-Led Learning

Students have opportunities to develop leadership skills and engage with their community through 

• Leadership roles
• Internships
• Mentorship programs
• Service learning projects
• Flexible work environment 
• Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning

Activities & Service Learning

Extracurricular activities are available every other Friday to enhance student learning every other Friday. Details will be emailed to parents and students as the activity approaches and activities will be listed on student’s Boost account. There is no additional price for these activities as these experiences are core for learning and having a well-rounded education.  Activities fall under 3 categories, career exploration, Recreation, and service. Examples of activities include:

• Career Exploration
  • Attending court cases and talking to the judge and other professionals 
  • Lecture series on entrepreneurship 
  • Business Career Center day, learning about what skills you have and how they fit in the job market 
• Recreation 
  • Ropes Course 
  • Dances 
  • Ice Skating
• Service Projects 
  • Finishing handmade toys for kids 
  • Food and clothing drives
  • Volunteering at service organizations

Program Features

• Flexible Learning Options – A combination of hybrid and online coursework.
• Support Services – Access to no-cost tutoring and academic resources.
• College Credit Opportunities – Concurrent enrollment to earn college and high school credit.
• Community Engagement – Encouragement of leadership and service learning.

Canyon Grove Academy Secondary School Philosophy of Education 

Canyon Grove Academy’s (CGA) approach to learning and education empowers students to thrive in an interconnected and rapidly changing world. We embrace innovative models such as competency-based learning, social-emotional learning (SEL), blended and hybrid learning, student-led learning, and self-determination with self-monitoring. Each of these approaches is deeply rooted in research and tailored to meet the diverse needs of our students.

Competency-based learning ensures mastery by addressing individual learning gaps, fostering critical thinking, and cultivating intrinsic motivation. This approach is informed by Benjamin Bloom’s mastery learning principles, which highlight the importance of achieving deep understanding before moving forward.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) equips students with essential life skills, resilience, and the ability to build meaningful relationships. This is grounded in the work of Daniel Goleman, who emphasizes the role of emotional intelligence in academic and life success, and supported by the research of Durlak and colleagues, who demonstrate SEL’s positive academic and social outcomes.

Blended and hybrid models integrate online and face-to-face instruction to enhance engagement and digital literacy. These models are influenced by the research of Horn and Staker, who explore the benefits of combining online and in-person learning, and Means et al., who show that blended learning outperforms traditional methods in fostering student achievement.

Student-led learning and self-monitoring empower students to take ownership of their educational journey, promoting autonomy, goal-setting, and reflective thinking. These strategies draw on the work of Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, whose self-determination theory emphasizes autonomy and intrinsic motivation, as well as Barry Zimmerman and Dale Schunk, who demonstrate the effectiveness of self-regulated learning and self-monitoring in improving academic outcomes.

By integrating these strategies, CGA creates a holistic and forward-thinking framework that prioritizes academic excellence, equity, and personal growth. Inspired by the contributions of thought leaders such as Ebbinghaus, Bloom, Goleman, Deci, Ryan, Zimmerman, and others, we believe education should not only prepare students for academic success but also equip them with the lifelong skills needed to navigate challenges and shape a brighter future.

Lunch

Junior High students will stay on-site for lunch, and need to bring their own lunch. 

9th-grade students are kept on campus unless the parents have emailed the school notifying that they are allowed to leave for lunch.

10-12th grade high students are able to leave campus during lunch. If you do not want your student to leave campus during lunch, please make sure that both the school and your student are aware of this.  Students sign out when they leave and then sign back in when they return. 

If a student does not check back in, we will call the parents and let them know.

Late or Excused Absences 

If your student is going to be late or leave early, please send me an email to alexis.foust@canyongrove.com.  Students only leave with parent permission.

Canyon Grove Academy Secondary School Dress Code Policy

At Canyon Grove Academy, we are committed to fostering a positive, respectful, and focused learning environment. We believe that the way students dress should support their ability to learn, move comfortably, and engage fully in classroom activities without unnecessary distractions.

Junior High: 

To help create a sense of community and simplify dress expectations, all Junior High students (grades 7–8) are required to wear a Canyon Grove Academy t-shirt or sweatshirt while on campus. Students must also follow the general guidelines for bottoms and other wear. 

• CGA-branded shirts or sweatshirts must be worn and visible during school hours. Order my CGA T-shirt and/or sweatshirt here.
• While students may wear jackets or coats to and from school or during outdoor activities, non-CGA outerwear must be removed while in class.
• CGA sweatshirts or layering pieces (such as long-sleeved undershirts) are encouraged to help students stay comfortable throughout the day.

This policy helps foster a cohesive school environment and ensures consistency in classroom expectations.

High School: 

High School Students do not need to wear Canyon Grove-specific shirts, but must follow the guidelines below.

General Guidelines:

Students are expected to wear learning-appropriate clothing each day. This means:

• Clothing should allow students to focus on learning, not on what they or others are wearing.
• Outfits must be appropriate for a classroom setting—comfortable, modest, and suitable for participating in a range of academic and school-related activities.

To support a productive and respectful school environment, students should follow these guidelines:

• Clothing must cover undergarments.
• Tops must have straps and should not be low-cut in the front or back.
• Shorts, skirts, and dresses should provide full coverage when sitting, standing, and moving.
• Clothing and accessories may not display or promote inappropriate content, including:
  • Profanity
  • Drugs, alcohol, or tobacco
  • Violence or hate speech
  • Sexually suggestive images or language
• Footwear must be worn at all times and should be appropriate for school activities.
• Pajamas, blankets, or costume attire are not permitted during regular school hours unless specified for a spirit day or school event.

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