SPECIALIZED ACADEMICS
Teacher-Led Instruction Designed for Neurodivergent Learners
We believe that students thrive academically when they feel connected, supported, and confident. Our academic program is intentionally designed around the needs of neurodivergent learners: relationship-centered teaching, embedded executive functioning support, predictable structure, and individualized pathways create an environment where students can genuinely succeed.
Our approach blends high expectations with meaningful support, ensuring that every student experiences progress that truly feels like success.
New Focus Academy provides structured, teacher-led instruction aligned with Utah Core Standards and Essential Elements. Our academic program serves grades 6–12 and is fully Cognia accredited, allowing students to earn transferable credits and work toward a high school diploma.
AT A GLANCE
Accreditation & Academic Structure
- Cognia Accredited School (Grades 6–12)
- Licensed Residential Treatment Center – State of Utah
- Utah Core Standards & Essential Elements
- Edmentum Curriculum aligned with Utah graduation requirements
- Small class sizes (6–8 students)
- Licensed Teacher-led instruction
- Five-term academic calendar with seasonal breaks
- Credit recovery available (including BYU Independent Study)
- Students can earn a high school diploma while enrolled
Collaboration with Home School Districts
New Focus Academy works closely with sending districts to ensure:
- IEP implementation (when applicable)
- Transcript evaluation upon enrollment
- Credit alignment with district graduation requirements
- Quarterly progress reporting
- Participation in IEP meetings
- Transferable academic documentation
Students take NWEA MAP assessments twice per year, and additional assessments (BASC, DASEL) are administered as needed to support academic and social-emotional growth.
OUR MISSION IN EDUCATION
Students with social-cognitive deficits process information differently than students without these deficits. This means these students learn and interact differently than their peers. These learning differences can create educational challenges that can lead to a life long struggle to gain independence.
At New Focus, we used evidence-based practices to help our uniquely abled students succeed at learning self-determination. Self-determination, or the ability to guides one’s own life, is the number one goal of education.
To help students’ gain independence; New Focus teaches Utah Common Core Curriculum with a focus on the Essential Elements. The Essential Elements provide ways for students to learn life skills, functional math and language arts skills, community based living skills, and social-emotional skills.
EMBEDDED EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
Executive functioning skills are not treated as a separate class but embedded across instruction through:
- Structured daily routines
- Task initiation support
- Planning and goal-setting
- Coaching Notes system
Students progress through our integrated Autonomy Development Model, applying academic and independence skills at increasing levels of responsibility.
We strive to inspire hope & purpose in our students.
Find out how we can help your teen rekindle their motivation for success.
This program is designed to help young people who meet the following initial criteria:
Ages 12-18
Education Level Between 6-12 Grade
IQ of at least 75 (Lower scores can be considered upon additional review)
We meet with students and their families to identify each child’s unique needs and abilities. Our team develops a plan with evidence-based techniques to help each student utilize their strengths in addressing their challenges.
When teens feel more capable and prepared to manage the world, they become happier, more socially engaged, and motivated to manage their lives. We help teens discover how their distinctive gifts can build skills to develop a purpose-filled life.
The ultimate goal for every student at New Focus is gaining independence. Our dedicated team empowers each student to develop important life skills. Students then build confidence and motivation to continue with their growing process.
Let’s start planning your child’s successful future.
WHO DOES NEW FOCUS HELP?
At New Focus Academy, we help boys and girls struggling to form and maintain meaningful relationships. Our students face problems related to low-processing, autism spectrum disorder, and other neurodevelopmental issues. We teach students methods to improve their functional living skills including self-care, homework, chores, and leisure planning.
We help to empower these students by teaching and practicing social, coping, organizational, and self-care skills in a small, safe environment. As they succeed in the program, they become more confident and self-assured as they deal with day to day life.
New Focus Academy is a Cognia Accredited Program
“Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and improvement solutions to institutions and other education providers. As a global nonprofit working in over 80 countries, Cognia serves 36,000 institutions, nearly 25 million students, and five million educators every day.”