Elizabeth Academy

Since 2009, we have been developing a model school that would effectively meet the needs of children with special needs as well as typical and gifted children who would be their role models and who would, in turn, learn the values of diversity, tolerance and acceptance through first hand experience. 

Elizabeth Academy is an inclusive private non-profit Montessori school currently serving over 200 students located in the East Millcreek area of Salt Lake City, Utah. Fully embracing Montessori best practices, Elizabeth Academy is a model school for inclusion designed to challenge and inspire diverse learners from 18 months to 14 years of age. 

This means that all children learn. The broad scope and sequence of the Montessori method and materials allows for individualized learning. Our MACTE credentialed and experienced Montessori teachers work collaboratively with special educators and therapists to ensure that each child is appropriately challenged and supported. 

We are committed to Inclusion at Elizabeth Academy. It is our reason to be. We are committed to what we call legitimate inclusion, which means that alongside typical and gifted children who comprise the bulk of our enrollment, we strongly encourage including a manageable percentage of children with documented special needs, roughly 15%. And no more. There must be balance, the ratio of this diversity being reflective of what is experienced in the population at large, our real experience in the community outside of the classroom.

We are moving forward with the next steps of our overall vision and partnering with others to replicate this model throughout Utah so that many other children can benefit.