What We Are
Liahona Academy is a Latter-day Saint based private school for Pre-K through 12th grades. We offer a full accredited track through Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS), a home school track or a combination of the two tracks. Our motivating teachers are well-qualified in their subjects and strive to provide a strong academic base, instill a love of learning, integrate revealed gospel principles and encourage patriotism. Academic grade levels: Pre-K, Grades 1-2, Grades 3-4, Juniors (5th and 6th), Intermediate (7th and 8th), Freshman (9th and 10th) and Senior (11th and 12th). Parents decide which of these classes best suit their student’s age and skill level. Classes and homework are designed so that parents oversee all aspects of their student’s education. Academy classes and students are filmed daily as part of Liahona’s Distance Education Program. Acceptance to the Academy is determined by interview, commitment to LDS standards and Academy dress and behavior policies. Specifics of Liahona’s policies are explained in the Policies and Procedures booklet provided upon registration. Interested students are required to visit a day of classes before enrolling.
Where We Are Located
Nestled in the foothills of majestic Mount Timpanogos, our beautiful new facility is located at 2464 West 450 South, Pleasant Grove, Utah. Future plans include a soccer field/park for our championship Soccer Team, and a multi-use Assembly Hall/Performing Arts/Sports Center which will allow us to expand our Performing Arts programs and house our Championship Basketball Team as well as our Girls Volleyball, Basketball and other sports teams. Our teachers utilize the latest multi-media technology available in comfortable "theater-style" classrooms to enhance our students' learning experience.
General Information
Classes:
Classes are held September through May. Core class instruction for English, History, Science and Math is Monday through Thursday, 8:15 am to 1:20 pm. These core academic classes are on a four year rotation. Please review the “Scope and Sequence” section for further explanation. Elective courses are held after the core classes and include drama, music, technology, sports and languages. Fridays are reserved for homework, elective or proctored classes, school field-trips and activities. Holidays are: one week at Thanksgiving, two weeks at Christmas and one week for Spring Break. Since Utah is a concurrent enrollment state, students may attend Liahona and then supplement other classes of their choice from Liahona's online selection of electives, at the local public school, the Electronic High School or BYU Independent Study. If a student needs a review or has been absent, they may access the missed class online, thus eliminating any reason to fall behind on studies.
Website:
Once enrolled with Liahona, access information is provided for the secure portion of our website. We strongly encourage parents to frequently access needed information from the website. There are tools for parents and students, such as a Daily Overview section where teachers post daily assignments, notes, supplemental material, answer keys and important class information, an area to check student scores, Getting To Know You profiles and other helpful educational information.
ACT Test:
Every spring Liahona students, 7th through 12th grade, take the ACT practice test. This prepares them to take the official ACT by their Junior and Senior years and is one reason our students score points higher than their public school counterparts.
Dress/Behavior Code:
Classes are filmed and are viewed by hundreds of home school students from around the nation. Therefore, student behavior must be exemplary. Students enrolled at Liahona are expected to maintain the highest academic conduct and Latter-day Saint standards. Liahona does not require uniforms, however we do have a strict dress code. Parents and students undergo an interview process and agree to abide by Liahona rules and guidelines before being admitted to the school. Liahona Academy admits students who are motivated and self-disciplined.
Seminary:
CES provides on-campus Seminary classes throughout the day for 9th - 12th grade Liahona students which accommodate our academic schedule. Please contact the Pleasant Grove Seminary at 801-785-0993 to enroll with CES.
Youth Conference - Super/Service Trips:
All Liahona academy and distance learning students are invited to attend the Fall Youth Conference and Summer Super/Service Trips. Youth Conference is held in October for one week at BYU’s Alumni Complex in Provo Canyon and features popular youth speakers and activities. Youth Conference cost varies yearly. The Super/Service Trip is held each summer and provides a memory-making and service experience at a destination rich in history. Cost and destination vary.
Student Involvement:
Students from the Academy and Distance Education program often develop close friendships. To help us introduce students to each other, all students are asked to fill out “Getting to Know You” questions online. This information is on our password protected site and provides a forum for students to meet and develop friendships. We have many fun and very active student clubs at Liahona. School pictures, a yearbook and graduation services are part of the program.
Completion/Graduation:
To receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of each year and remain enrolled at Liahona, all students must maintain a C average. Parents should track assignments and grades on the password protected Grade Book section of the website. Grades may be optional with parental permission on the home school track. Certificates of Completion are mailed at the end of each year to student’s who have successfully completed the year’s studies with a minimum C average. Tuition must be current in order to receive yearly completion certificates.
All Academy students receive grade reports twice yearly. Credits are issued to those on the accredited track. Some considerations for enrolling 9th through 12th grade students in accredited classes are: if you want an accredited diploma, if your student does not test well and you are worried about their ACT score being used as the main criteria for college acceptance or if you are considering supplementing your home school program with a few accredited courses to show proficiency.
Twelfth-grade students who desire to earn a recognized State of Utah diploma from Liahona, must have 24 credits (27 credits in public school) in specific subjects, 9th thru12th grade. In addition to our core academic classes, Liahona offers an online selection of electives and also schedules elective classes held at the Academy to correspond with the needs of our accredited students. Parents should schedule a yearly appointment with our accreditation counselor to develop a plan for earning a diploma.
Those graduating from the home school track must achieve a minimum of a C average on 85% of the assignments OR have a signed statement from their parents confirming that all parental educational goals have been met. All 7th through 12th grade students, who desire to continue on to college, are strongly encouraged to take advantage of our yearly ACT practice test.