SELF-REPORTED INDICATORS

Schools may choose to describe up to two additional pieces of information about how their school is supporting students. These self-reported indicators are not factored into school accountability calculations but provide the opportunity for schools to highlight successful programs or practices in addition to the indicators included in school accountability.

STUDENT FACTORS Extensive Opportunities for Student Participation As a history-focused school, we immerse students in engaging, history-based traditions woven throughout our school year, curriculum, and community events, including Culture Night, Day in History, and a culminating History Fair. Elementary students participate in innovative programs such as GATE (Gifted and Talented), Tanner Dance, after-school Choir and Orchestra, and instruction from our Beverly Taylor Sorenson Arts music specialist. Students engage in hands-on learning through modern science labs, the Central Utah State Science and Engineering Fair, an interactive Space Simulator, and regular instruction in Physical Education, Library Media, and Digital Literacy. Extensive Junior High elective offerings are determined annually through student-teacher collaboration and complement a wide range of extracurricular opportunities such as Golden Gate Movement, NJHS, Phoenix Feed Student Broadcasting, Student Government, Ballroom, and enrichment experiences like 7th-grade team building and 9th-grade capstone projects. In addition to our state-of-the-art theater, we proudly host a “Superior” rated performance choir that competes annually at the Spring Choir Festival. Early Light competes in the Utah Charter League as State Champions in coed cross country, boys and girls volleyball, basketball, and soccer. Our students love ELA, and we proudly celebrate that 50% of our graduating 9th graders are Legacy students who have been part of our ELA family since Kindergarten.

INSTRUCTIONAL FACTORS Enhanced, Individualized Instruction At Early Light Academy, we empower students to be lifelong learners and meaningful contributors through high-quality, differentiated instruction that meets students at their individual levels. Teachers use learning management systems to analyze student data to guide placement and instructional design, supporting our school-wide PCBL model and mastery-based grading system, where students celebrate proficiency. When appropriate, instruction is supported through co-teaching to better meet diverse learning needs. Students in grades 2–9 may demonstrate mastery to advance a grade level in math, and junior high students may enroll in Honors or Advanced Placement courses for additional academic challenge and peer collaboration. Our daily schedule includes pull-out services such as math enrichment, Tier II and Tier III reading intervention, and special education support, with paraprofessionals providing small-group and individualized instruction. Junior high students self-monitor academic progress weekly in Phoenix Advisory, where teachers serve as mentors for students in 7th-9th grade. While teachers remain our most important instructional asset, ELA is a technology-integrated school, using adaptable digital tools to enhance achievement in all academic areas.