Refund Policy
SmartHead Academy™ maintains a transparent, scholarship-aligned refund policy.
- Scholarship-funded students: All refunds are remitted directly to Odyssey for deposit into the student’s scholarship account.
- No direct refunds to families for any portion of tuition originating from scholarship funding.
- Mid-quarter withdrawal: Prorated refund through the last day of attendance.
- Refund timeline: Issued within 30 days of withdrawal confirmation.
Admissions Process
A clear, four-step path to enrollment—designed to ensure SmartHead is the right fit for your child.
- Inquiry & Discovery Call
Speak with our admissions team to discuss your child’s learning needs, goals, and questions about our model.
- Application & Learner Profile
Submit the family application, prior academic records, and a brief learner profile so we can understand your student.
- Family Interview & Archetype Review
Meet with a Master Teacher to align on goals, identify learning archetype, and confirm program fit.
- Enrollment & Onboarding
Complete enrollment paperwork, tuition arrangement (including UFA scholarship coordination), and begin orientation.
Family Handbook
Our Family Handbook outlines how SmartHead Academy operates day to day—academics, attendance, communication, conduct, and care. Enrolled families receive the complete handbook at onboarding; the summary below reflects current school-year policy.
Welcome to SmartHead Academy
SmartHead Academy is a full-time, teacher-led private school in Heber, Utah serving K–8 students. We believe rigorous learning can be calm, focused, and personal. This handbook is the shared agreement between our school, our students, and the families we serve.
Mission & Educational Philosophy
To provide every student with rigorous, individualized, teacher-led academics in a calm, focused environment. We integrate literacy, math, STEM, nature study, and the arts into project-based investigations—teaching depth over volume and mastery over compliance.
Governance & Leadership
Founded and led by Tonya Phillips (Founder, Master Teacher & Acting School Director, Active Utah Educator License) and Eric Snider (Director of Curriculum & Operations). Leadership is directly accountable for academic, operational, and compliance decisions and is reachable by every family at any time.
Academic Model
Students receive teacher-led instruction across three core academic days, one portfolio & mastery day, and ongoing guided independent learning. Instruction follows the 2-Hour School Day™ and S.O.U.L.™ Framework, aligned to Utah Core Standards and NGSS, and personalized through the SmartHead Archetype Matrix.
Weekly Rhythm & Instructional Hours
The school year runs late August through late May, with a minimum of 180 instructional days. Daily instruction typically runs 9:00 AM–1:00 PM with structured independent learning continuing throughout the week. Weekly minutes meet or exceed Utah K–8 benchmarks across literacy, math, science/STEM, art, and physical activity.
Attendance
Attendance is documented through participation in scheduled in-person sessions, completion of assigned academic work, engagement in online activities, and ongoing communication with Master Teachers. Minimum requirement: 80% of scheduled sessions per quarter. Missed sessions may be rescheduled within the same quarter at the teacher’s discretion.
Assessment & Reporting
Students are assessed through standards-aligned mastery checks, project portfolios (Hero’s Portfolio™), and benchmark progress reports. Families receive Quarterly Mastery Reports referencing specific Utah Core Standards and an annual portfolio summary.
In-Home Instruction Policy
Certified Master Teachers travel to enrolled student homes for weekly in-person sessions. A parent or responsible adult must be present on the premises during all in-home sessions. Teachers carry school-issued identification, complete criminal background checks before the first session, and may not be alone with a student without a responsible adult on the premises.
Family Communication
Master Teachers communicate with families weekly through learning-plan updates, plus quarterly academic reviews and an open-door policy for questions or concerns. Administrative inquiries: [email protected]; admissions: [email protected].
Community & Conduct Standards
SmartHead is a respectful, focused, kind community. Students are expected to engage honestly with their work, treat peers and teachers with respect, and care for shared spaces and materials. Bullying, discrimination, and dishonest academic conduct are addressed promptly with the student and family.
Health, Safety & Emergency Procedures
Families provide current health information, emergency contacts, and any medication or allergy plans at enrollment. Staff are trained in basic emergency response. The school maintains documented procedures for medical events, severe weather, and facility emergencies.
Tuition, Fees & Refunds
Tuition is published transparently with no required fees beyond what is disclosed at enrollment. Tuition is billed quarterly and may be paid annually, by semester, or through approved Utah Fits All scholarship funding. Refunds for scholarship-funded students are remitted directly to Odyssey.
Non-Discrimination & UFA Compliance
SmartHead Academy meets all Utah Fits All private school requirements and operates as a full-time, tuition-based educational institution. The Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in compliance with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000d.
Withdrawal & Records
Families may withdraw at any time by submitting written notice to the Acting School Director. Final academic records, the student’s Hero’s Portfolio™ summary, and standards documentation are released to the family within 30 days of withdrawal.
Enrolled families receive the complete Family Handbook (PDF) at onboarding, including signature pages and the full school calendar.
Optional Faith-Based Learning Pathway
For families who wish to incorporate religious or values-based perspectives into their child’s education.
SmartHead Academy™ offers an optional faith-based learning pathway as a family-selected enrollment choice. This pathway integrates values-based perspectives into project-based learning, reflection activities, and discussion—while maintaining full alignment with academic standards.
All core academic instruction remains standards-aligned. Students meet required educational benchmarks regardless of the selected pathway. The faith-based option is purely additive and entirely opt-in at enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SmartHead Academy a full-time private school?
Who teaches my child?
What is the 2-Hour School Day™?
How is learning personalized?
How is progress measured?
What is the attendance requirement?
Does SmartHead participate in Utah Fits All (UFA)?
Is there a faith-based option?
Is SmartHead accredited?
“For the first time, learning feels calm. My child finishes the day proud—not exhausted.”
— SmartHead Academy FamilyContact
We respond to every inquiry personally—usually within one business day.
1882 Beaver Bench Rd
Heber, Utah 84032
[email protected]
Our Commitment & Compliance
- Full-time, tuition-based private school
- Serves grades K–8 (expanding K–12)
- Teacher-led by certified Master Teachers
- 2-Hour School Day™ instructional model
- S.O.U.L.™ Framework
- Hero’s Portfolio™ assessment system
- SmartHead Archetype Matrix personalization
- Aligned with Utah Core & NGSS
- 180+ instructional days annually
- 80% quarterly attendance requirement
- Active Utah Educator License (Founder)
- Cognia candidacy in process
- Documented Family Handbook
- Transparent tuition & refund policy
- Optional faith-based pathway
- Meets all Utah Fits All requirements
SmartHead Academy™ meets all Utah Fits All private school requirements and operates as a full-time, tuition-based educational institution.
The Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its educational programs or activities, in compliance with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000d.