About Charter Schools

• Is Itineris a Public School?

  Yes. Itineris is a public charter school. Public schools are defined as schools which are open to the public, funded by the public, and accountable to the public. Itineris meets all three tests.

• What are charter schools?

  Charter schools are tuition-free public schools open to any state resident created by a group of parents, teachers or community leaders who see an educational need in their community. The charter school controls its own curriculum, staffing, organization, and budget.

• How was Itineris created?

  Itineris was started in 2004 as part of the Early College Alliance under Governor Leavitt and with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

• What is the purpose of charter schools? And Itineris specifically?

  Charters Schools offer parents and students additional choices about where students attend school and the school’s curricular emphasis. They allow educators freedom to try new strategies to inspire students and to experiment with innovative ways of educating students. Itineris’s focus is on providing students with a variety of Concurrent Enrollment options on the high school campus.

Attending Itineris

• Can anyone attend Itineris?

  Yes, any 10-12th grade Utah resident may attend. We are open to every student regardless of race, religion,disability, or academic ability. However, if the number of students applying to enroll exceeds the capacity of the school or grade levels within the school, then those to be admitted are chosen at random from among the applicants, subject to certain preferences:

• What are the enrollment preferences at Itineris?

  Based on the approved charter and board policy, preference may is given to the following:

  • Students whose parent or grandparents serve or served on the governing board  

  • Students who have a sibling who attends or attended the charter school 

  • Students returning from the previous school year 

  • Students whose parent is a staff member in the charter school 

  • Students whose attended Ascent Academies, Early Light Academy, or Hawthorn Academy in 9th grade

• Does Itineris serve special population students?

  Like all public schools, Itineris is required to provide access and services to all students, including students with disabilities, limited English proficiency, socio-economic disadvantages, and other special needs.

• Is Itineris diverse?

  Yes. In fact, Itineris is proud of its diversity. Our students come from over 35 different middle schools. They are ethnically diverse, religiously diverse, economically diverse, and arrive at various academic abilities. What they have in common is their motivation to achieve in school.

• Are there fees to attend?

  Itineris is a public school and does not charge tuition or require students or parents to make monetary contributions (although donations are accepted and appreciated). However, there are permitted fees for high schools. The Board believes in keeping those fees as low as possible. We are subject to the same rules regarding school fees as other public schools. SLCC charges tuition ($5/credit) to attend the Concurrent Enrollment Classes.

• Is there a dress code or uniform?

  There is not a uniform or prescribed dress code. There are dress standards, such as a covered abdomen, no short shorts/skirt (finger length), and two-finger thick straps on the shoulder. These standards are in effect for all students regardless of gender identification.

Schedules

• What are the school hours?

  The school is open from 7:45 am - 4:30 pm. Classes are in session from 8:10 am - 3:25 pm

• Are you on a block schedule?

  No. However, we have a unique schedule where some classes meet daily for 50 minutes in the morning, then switch to 85 minute blocks in the afternoon with every class meeting on Fridays. We do not have early out or late starts. This is due to our many Concurrent Enrollment class offerings.

• Do you follow the district’s calendar?

  No. Itineris follow’s Salt Lake Community College’s annual calendar.

Curriculum + Involvement

• Do you offer Driver’s Education classes?

  Yes. Itineris offers both the class portion and the behind the wheel requirements for driver’s education.

• Are breakfast and lunch offered?

  Yes. Itineris participates in the National School Lunch Program and offers both breakfast and lunch for a nominal cost. Students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch are able to enjoy those same benefits at Itineris.

• Is Itineris an open or closed campus?

  Itineris is an open campus. Students may come and go as they need in order to meet their class requirements.

• Does Itineris focus on technology?

  Itineris is proud to be a 1:1 school. Freshmen and Sophomores are issued Chromebooks. Juniors and seniors may use a school device or bring their own. Canvas is the school’s and SLCC’s main classroom support portal. Aspire is the school’s information system.

• Is parental involvement required?

  Although research has shown that students perform better when parents/guardians are involved in their child’s education, there are no requirements for involvement at the school.  We welcome parents, stepparents, grandparents, adult siblings, and other extended family members as volunteers on the School Community Council, on various committees, or on the Board.

• Are teachers at Itineris highly qualified?

  Although the designation of Highly Qualified is no longer required under Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Itineris has some of the most highly qualified teachers available. Our teachers are masters in their content area and are skilled instructors. Itineris only employs educators who hold valid teaching certificates or who meet USBE requirements for alternative certification or authorization. We do not employ educators whose license has been suspended or revoked by the State Board of Education.

• Is Itineris required to meet state education standards or offer standardized tests?

  As a public school, Itineris must comply with the State’s requirements for student assessment. Our students perform exceptionally well on standardized tests for both Aspire+ and the ACT.

Governance

• How is Itineris held accountable?

  Itineris must make the same annual reports as other public schools, including an annual financial audit and monthly budget report. We participate in the statewide testing programs and submit all required reports requested by the Utah State Board of Education. Additionally, the authorizer of our school is required to develop an accountability plan for each school and conduct a review every five years.

• What state laws apply to Itineris?

  Itineris is required to comply with all Utah laws, except those that expressly do not apply to charter schools. For example, charter schools must comply with laws pertaining to special education, the accounting system, student health and safety, compulsory school attendance, and standardized testing. The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) may waive any of its rules for a charter school or other public school if the school applies for a waiver and USBE finds that the waiver would not violate applicable law or cause harm to students or the school. Currently Itineris has a waiver for the number of school days required and the classes required for graduation credit. Itineris holds 168 days of school and requires less art and PE credit to graduate high school. 

  Itineris is exempt from negotiated agreements relating to the hiring, employment, and dismissal of employees. The school’s governing Board determines the level of compensation and the terms and conditions of employment for its employees.

• Must Itineris comply with federal laws and regulations?

  Yes. Itineris is subject to most of the same federal, constitutional, statutory, and regulatory requirements applicable to other public schools.

• Is Itineris required to be accredited?

  Yes. All Utah public secondary schools offering high school credit and/or diplomas must be accredited.

• How is Itineris governed?

  Itineris is governed by a 7-member volunteer Board of Directors with representatives from SLCC, the community, and the parents body. The Utah State Board of Education and the State Charter School Board have oversight responsibility for charter schools and annually review the progress of every charter school.

• Who authorizes Itineris as a charter school?

  Itineris is authorized by one the State Charter School Board. The State Charter School Board (SCSB) is authorized by legislation and its members are appointed by the Governor. The SCSB is required by law to: authorize and promote the establishment of charter schools; annually review and evaluate the performance of schools they authorize; monitor their charter schools for compliance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations; provide technical support regarding charter schools; make recommendations on legislation, rules, and funding pertaining to charter schools.

• Can Itineris be closed?

  Theroricalty yes, A charter school authorizer may terminate a school’s charter and stop funding, effectively closing the school, for failure to meet the requirements stated in the charter, failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management, designation as a low performing school, failure to improve the school’s grade, violation of requirements under the law, or other good cause shown. But Itineris has an Exemplary academic rating with the State, is regularly one of the Top 10 schools in the State, is fiscally responsible, and meets all of the requirements of our charter.