What grades do you teach?
Realms has a program for middle school, grades 7 through 8, and upper school, grades 9 through 12. We may accept 6th grade students that show maturity and ability to take responsibility.
What makes Realms different from other schools?
Realms may have elements in common with other schools, but our program is unique in the Salt Lake area. The most notable elements of this uniqueness are:
Community Atmosphere
Because of the small size of the school, our small class sizes, and many shared experiences, people at Realms know each other. Students of different ages interact with each other, and there are several all-school events throughout the school year. Students tend to be accepting of one another because their interactions go beyond the superficial level that is frequently the norm in large classes and schools. Parents are involved in classes, often teaching or assisting with trips.
The Outdoor and International Program
These programs are unique and essential to the Realms experience. The Outdoor and International Programs are a place for students to have fun, to safely take risks and challenge themselves. The Outdoor Program engages students in their school experience, and connects them in a deeper way to the world and the people around them.
Individualized academic programs, Realms style
It is commonly recognized that bright students don’t need a lot of repetition to learn, yet there is more to a gifted academic program than “acceleration,” or moving students through information rapidly. We believe that bright students need opportunities to explore their own interests within a subject and to develop the skills that will make them autonomous learners (thinking and communication skills, research, and creating end products).
A “Whole Student” Focus
We recognize the importance of strong academic programs, but also believe that rich opportunities in the arts and early exposure to foreign language are essential. Our classrooms are important forums for learning social and communication skills, and students of all ages are participants in this process. It is common for bright students to have highly developed skill areas as well as less developed skill areas; at Realms, students are recognized for their strengths, helped to work on their weaknesses, and accepted for who they are.
Can Realms accept students with behavior challenges?
One of our guiding principles is “Students have the right to learn and teachers have the right to teach.” Behavior that impacts other students’ ability to learn or a teacher's ability to teach is not accepted. We are a school that works on the fundamental premise that the students are here because they want to be here.
That said, we also know that difficult behaviors can be a logical response for many bright young people who find themselves in an educational situation that fails to meet their needs. Some students who have had behavioral challenges in another school setting are able to do very well at Realms because they are engaged, challenged, accepted, or simply no longer bored. We also know that it is common for some very bright students to be asynchronous in that they have exceptional intellectual development and below-age social or emotional development.
We believe that our small class sizes, close relationships with teachers, an emphasis on respect and acceptance, and plentiful opportunities in the outdoor program, as well as active classrooms for meaningful interaction with others, provide the ideal environment for these bright students to develop socially and emotionally.
What are the class sizes at Realms?
Classes are limited to 12 students per each full-time teacher.
What does the outdoor program involve?
Middle School
Field trips as often as once a week. The activities on field trips might be outdoor activities (hiking, climbing, an outdoor science activity) or a non-outdoor activity related to an area of study in their class.
Fall backpacking trip for 6-8 days.
International trip every January for 2 weeks.
2-3 shorter trips during the year. (Past trips have been Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Emergency outdoor medicine, rafting the Green River)
Upper School
Fall backpacking trip for 8-10 days.
International trip usually 2-3 weeks.
2-3 shorter trips during the year. The activities in the Outdoor Program can include hiking, rock climbing, caving, boating, biking, and more.
Outdoor experiences are designed to build particular social, emotional, and academic skills, which make the program meaningful to students individually as well as enhancing their entire educational experience.
Does everyone participate in the outdoor program?
Yes! Occasionally students need to focus on other aspects of their education and exceptions are sometimes made on a case-by-case basis.
Where do Realms graduates go to College?
More than 90% of Realms graduates go to college. Here are just a few of the colleges our recent graduates have already been accepted:
Cornell College
Lawrence University
DuPaul University
Belmont College
Westminster College
Bucknell University
Sewancee University
University of Utah
Realms graduates are a diverse group of individuals who are well represented in health care, computers and technology, science and research, education and social services, law and political science, architecture and engineering and more.
Is Realms an accredited school?
Realms is accredited through Cognia. Maintaining accreditation involves written assessments and periodic on site evaluations. Realms’ most recent accreditation assessment was conducted in March 2021, and Realms received a very positive report.
How Much Does Realms Cost?
Tuition for the current academic year:
Tuition is $13,800. Three local trips and the international trip costs are not included. You can expect to pay about $2500 for the 15 day international trip and up to $3500 for the 21 day trip. Local trip costs run about $500 - $600 per year (combined total).
Please contact us for more information at frontdesk@realmsofinquiry.org.