Every Education Option Available to Utah Families in 2026
No single school works for every child. Utah families now have more education choices than ever before. Here’s how school choice works in Utah and how to find the best fit for your student.
Overview
Utah families have more education options today than at any point in the state’s history.
Public school remains free and available to every child. But families can also choose charter schools, private schools, microschools, homeschooling, or hybrid combinations, and several of these options are eligible for state funding through the Utah Fits All Scholarship.
Libertas Institute has spent over a decade passing the laws that created this landscape, from the Utah Fits All Scholarship to microschool zoning reform to homeschool simplification.
The Utah Fits All Scholarship
The Utah Fits All Scholarship (UFA) is an Education Savings Account program that gives Utah families state funds to spend on the education that works best for their child. Every K–12 Utah student is eligible to apply. Accepting the scholarship means opting out of public school enrollment, you cannot hold both simultaneously.
Scholarship amounts
- $8,000/year — Private school or microschool students
- $6,000/year — Home-based learners ages 12–18
- $4,000/year — Home-based learners ages 5–11
- Students with disabilities are eligible for the Carson Smith Scholarship, which is run by Children’s First Education Fund.
What you can spend it on
- Private school or microschool tuition
- Tutoring services
- Curriculum and textbooks
- Educational software and apps
- Computer hardware (once every three years)
- Arts and music instruction (capped at 20% of scholarship)
- Transportation up to $750/year
- Special education services and therapies
- Summer education programs
- Tuttle Twins books
Education Options
Public school
Fully funded by the state and local property taxes. Every Utah child has the right to attend their assigned public school at no cost. Open enrollment allows transfers to other district schools when space is available. Accepting the Utah Fits All Scholarship requires unenrolling from public school, families cannot hold both.
- Cost: Free
- UFA eligible: Yes, if they apply as a provider. Many public schools are allowing afterschool activities to be paid by the UFA. Some are looking at ways to offer individual classes.
- Curriculum control: None — state-determined
Charter school
Charter schools are public schools that operate with more flexibility than traditional district schools. They are free to attend and follow state academic standards but have more control over their teaching methods, culture, and focus. Many specialize in STEM, arts, classical education, or language immersion. Admission is typically by lottery when oversubscribed.
- Cost: Free
- UFA eligible: Yes, if they apply as a provider. Many public schools are allowing afterschool activities to be paid by the UFA. Some are looking at ways to offer individual classes.
- Curriculum control: Limited — school-determined within state standards
Private school
Private schools operate independently of the state and set their own curriculum, values, admissions standards, and schedule. Utah has a wide range, including religious schools, classical academies, Montessori programs, and college-prep institutions. The Utah Fits All Scholarship provides $8,000/year that can be applied directly to tuition, making many private schools financially accessible to families who couldn’t previously afford them.
- Typical tuition: $5,000–$18,000/year
- UFA scholarship: $8,000/year if awarded
- Curriculum control: School-determined
Microschool
Microschools are small schools, typically 5 to 16 students, that operate with complete flexibility over curriculum, schedule, and teaching approach. Utah passed the nation’s first microschool zoning law in 2024 (SB 13, championed by Libertas Institute), allowing them to operate legally in any zoning district statewide, including residential homes. Teaching credentials are not required. Students enrolled in qualifying microschools receive $8,000/year through Utah Fits All as long as they provide a majority of the child’s education.
- Typical tuition: $4,000–$9,000/year
- UFA scholarship: $8,000/year if awarded
- Class size: 5–16 students (home-based)
Homeschooling
Homeschooling in Utah requires a single one-time notice filed with your local school district, nothing else. No required subjects, no standardized testing, no teaching credentials, no inspections, and no annual renewals. You decide what your child learns, how they learn it, and when. Utah Fits All provides $4,000–$6,000/year for homeschool families to spend on curriculum, tutoring, technology, and other approved expenses.
- Legal requirement: One-time Notice of Intent filed with school district
- Curriculum: Entirely your choice
- UFA scholarship (ages 5–11): $4,000/year
- UFA scholarship (ages 12–18): $6,000/year
Hybrid and part-time models
Many Utah families combine approaches, homeschooling several days per week and attending a co-op or microschool on others, enrolling in online courses for some subjects while a parent teaches others, or using Utah Fits All funds to supplement any structure. Starting in the 2026–27 school year, scholarship recipients can also participate in public school athletics and extracurricular activities.
- Base requirement: Notice of Intent if any homeschool component is involved
- UFA eligible: Yes. If full time, you will receive $8,000. If not full time, you will receive the homeschool amounts of $6,000 or $4,000, depending on age.
- Public school athletics: Yes, starting 2026–27
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Option | Cost to Family | UFA Eligible | Curriculum Control for Families | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public School | Free | Possible | None | Fixed schedule |
| Charter School | Free | Possible | Limited | Some |
| Private School | Tuition (UFA offsets) | $8,000/yr | School decides | Varies |
| Microschool | Tuition (UFA offsets) | $8,000/yr | Complete | High |
| Homeschool | Curriculum cost | $4,000–$6,000/yr | Complete | Total |
| Hybrid / Co-op | Varies | Depends | High | High |
Which Option Is Right for Your Family?
If you want free education with a specific focus — look at charter schools. Many specialize in STEM, arts, language immersion, or classical education at no cost.
If you want religious or values-based education — private school or homeschool. Utah Fits All makes private school financially accessible for many families who couldn’t previously afford it.
If you want small class sizes and a tight-knit community — microschool. Typically 5–16 students, personally known by their teacher, with UFA covering most or all of the tuition for qualifying families.
If you want total control over curriculum and schedule — homeschooling. One form, filed once. No testing, no credential requirement, up to $6,000/year in state funding.
If you want something in between — a hybrid model. Homeschool some days, attend a co-op or microschool others. Utah’s legal framework allows almost any combination.
If your child has special needs or a documented disability — the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship provides up to $10,700/year for private or home-based education, separate from Utah Fits All.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child receive the Utah Fits All Scholarship and still attend public school?
This is possible. Many public schools are allowing afterschool activities to be paid by the UFA. Some are looking at ways to offer individual classes.
Does the $8,000 scholarship cover all private school tuition?
It covers or significantly offsets tuition at many Utah private schools, especially those in the $6,000–$10,000 range. Some schools have set their tuition at or near $8,000 to make attendance essentially free for scholarship holders. Families pay any difference above the scholarship amount.
How do I find a microschool near me?
The best starting points are local Facebook groups for homeschool and alternative education families, the Prenda microschool map, and Empowered Parents Utah. If you can’t find one nearby, Utah’s laws make starting your own more accessible than anywhere else in the country.
Can we switch from public school mid-year?
Yes. You can withdraw your child from public school at any time and begin homeschooling or enroll in a private school or microschool. Utah Fits All applications are only accepted during the annual spring window, so mid-year switchers may need to self-fund until the next application cycle.
Is there an income limit for Utah Fits All?
Any K–12 Utah resident can apply, meaning there is no income cutoff for eligibility. When applications exceed available funding, scholarships are awarded in priority order: current recipients renewing first, then families at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, then siblings of current recipients, then all other applicants.
Do I need a teaching degree to homeschool my child?
No. Utah places no credential or qualification requirements on homeschooling parents. You do not need a teaching certificate, college degree, or any specific educational background. The 2025 update (HB 209) also removed the background check requirement from the filing process.
About Libertas Institute: Libertas Institute is a Utah-based policy think tank that has changed 100+ laws, two dozen of them the first of their kind in the country. In education, we have been the driving force behind every major choice expansion Utah has seen in recent years.
More information
- HB 215 (2023) — Created the Utah Fits All Scholarship
- SB 13 (2024) — Opened all zoning districts to microschools (first in nation)
- HB 209 (2025) — Simplified the homeschool filing process, removed background check requirement
- HB 126 (2026) — Further clarified microschool facility rules
Author: Jon England is the Senior Education Policy Analyst at Libertas Institute. He is a fourteen-year veteran of public schools. He taught both fifth and sixth grades, receiving Weber District’s E+ Team Award. He proudly homeschools his children with his wife.
Jon received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Governors University. He spent time in the Marine Corps and separated as a sergeant in 2006.
During his time in public schools, Jon increasingly understood the importance of parental empowerment in education. This increased understanding led him to join Libertas to provide educational freedom for families. Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and five children traveling, skiing, and playing games.
Published: April, 2026