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South Park Academy

About South Park Academy

South Park Academy was an AdvancedED accredited high school that provided education to incarcerated adults at the Utah State Prison. The academy operated at the Draper correctional facility from 1955 to 2022 when the prison’s operations moved to a new location in Salt Lake City, which is outside Canyons District’s boundaries. The Canyons Board of Education and Administration assumed oversight of South Park Academy in 2009 when Canyons officially launched as Utah’s first new school district and became responsible for the educational services in Draper, Cottonwood Heights, Midvale, Sandy and townships of Brighton, Alta and White City. With 1,100 plus students enrolled each year, South Park helped over 300 inmates obtain their diplomas every year. 

Former students of South Park Academy who need to obtain transcripts can contact Canyons District’s Office of Planning and Enrollment by calling 801-826-5181.  Inquiries also can be sent via email to SouthParkTranscripts@canyonsdistrict.org  

Transcript Request

To obtain transcripts from South Park Academy, former students will need to mail or fax a request containing the following:

  • Student’s Name
  • Student’s Date of Birth
  • Student’s Social Security Number
  • Address or Fax Number to send transcript
  • Student’s Signature

A note or letter containing the above requirements will be sufficient. There is no required fee.

Our transcript request fax number is 801-826-5054 and our mailing address is:

Canyons District’s Office of Planning and Enrollment 
9361 S. 300 E.
Sandy, UT 84070

Questions regarding transcripts may be answered by calling 801-826-5181 or emailing to SouthParkTranscripts@canyonsdistrict.org

Enrollment Data

HOUSING SITEENROLLMENT
Lone Peak0,058
Olympus0,029
Oquirrh0,386
Promontory0,237
Timpanogos0,231
Uinta0,265
Wasatch0,286
Total High School Students:1,492

About South Park Academy

South Park Academy is an AdvancedED accredited high school that has been providing education to the incarcerated adults at the Utah State Prison since 1955. Currently South Park Academy employs 31 dedicated teachers and staff that provides education in all seven lockdown facilities on the Draper site. With 1100 plus students enrolled each year, South Park helps over 300 inmates obtain their diplomas annually.

Funding for South Park comes from three sources. The Utah State Legislature funds corrections education at the Utah State Prison, Utah Central Academy in Gunnison and the county jails that house state inmates. The Utah State Office of education provides funds to corrections through state and federal grants under the Workforce Innovation and Occupations Act (WIOA). Additional funding comes from a variety of state and federal grants.

Principal: Todd Bird
Assistant Principal: Tracy Moore
Secretary: Paula Ivie

Mission Statement

The mission of South Park Academy is to reduce recidivism rates among our prison population through adult and transitional education.

Transcript Request

To obtain transcripts from South Park Academy, former students will need to mail or fax a request containing the following:

  • Student’s Name
  • Student’s Date of Birth
  • Student’s Social Security Number
  • Address or Fax Number to send transcript
  • Student’s Signature

A note or letter containing the above requirements will be sufficient. There is no required fee.

Our transcript request fax number is 801-576-7963 and our mailing address is:

South Park Academy
P.O. Box 250
Draper, Utah  84020

Questions regarding transcripts may be answered by calling 801-576-7982 or 801-576-7984.

All other questions, including those regarding the whereabouts of unsent diplomas may be answered by calling 801-576-7982.

Board Meeting Schedule

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Education for Canyons School District will hold a regular study session and public business meeting at the Canyons District Office building, 9361 S. 300 E., Sandy, UT each month unless otherwise posted. The Board may determine to conduct some business during a study session. All business meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. unless changed by the Board and appropriately posted for the public.

Please note that ALL DATES, TIMES and LOCATIONS listed on this scheduled are TENTATIVE and are subject to change at any time.  Please check this schedule often to be informed of any changes.

Unless otherwise specified, all meetings in the schedule below will take place as the Canyons District Office located at 9361 S. 300 E. in Sandy, Utah.

District Leaders

Dr. Rick Robins

Superintendent

Dr. Rick L. Robins is the superintendent of Canyons School District. Dr. Robins, who was selected by the Canyons Board of Education after a national search, brings 24 years of experience as an educator to his role as the chief executive officer of Utah’s fifth-largest school district. Prior to joining Canyons, Dr. Robins, who earned an Ed.D. from the University of Las Vegas, for six years was Superintendent of the Juab School District, based in Nephi, Utah. While there, Dr. Robins, who also was the Juab High School Principal from 2009-2013, helped oversee efforts to improve the district’s graduation rate to 97 percent, a double-digit increase over a 10-year period. Other innovations he led in Juab included a partnership with Arizona State University for blended-learning opportunities; the launch of a districtwide competency-based personalized learning model driven by a 1:1 technology initiative and standards-based reporting system; and the construction of the STEM-focused West Campus Innovations Center, funded largely through private and corporate sponsorships. Dr. Robins began his career as a history teacher at Copper Hills High in the Jordan School District and has worked as an assistant principal and principal in the Alpine, Nebo and Juab school districts. He was the 2012 Utah High School Principal of the Year for the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals, and in 2014 earned the Lexington Institute Superintendent Fellowship Award presented to innovative superintendents across the country. Dr. Robins was starting quarterback for the football team at Southern Utah University Thunderbirds from 1991-1995, and in 2013 was inducted into SUU’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He has four children and one grandchild.

Leon Wilcox

Business Administrator and CFO

Leon Wilcox is a seasoned professional with 20 years of governmental accounting experience, with an emphasis on financial reporting, budgeting, and auditing. As Canyons District’ Director of Accounting from 2009-2013, Wilcox was intricately involved with the 2009 division of $1.5 billion in assets of the former Jordan School District, and was responsible for establishing Canyons’ original and subsequent budgets. Wilcox, a certified public accountant who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Utah State University, also has worked nine years in the Granite School District and six years in the State Auditor’s Office.

Supervises:  Accounting and Budget Services, Facilities and Maintenance, Insurance, New Construction Budget, Nutrition Services, Purchasing, Payroll

Dr. Robert M. Dowdle

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and School Performance

Robert Dowdle has a Doctor of Education degree with an emphasis in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah, and more than 31 years of experience as a teacher and educational leader. He began his career at Mount Jordan Middle School, where he taught Earth Science, English and Social Studies. He later taught Advanced Placement Economics, U.S. History and World History at Bingham High School, and served as Principal of Jordan High School and Assistant Principal for Alta High School and Brighton High School. Dowdle has served in the District office for 11 years as Assistant Superintendent. This role has included various leadership responsibilities, including Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Dowdle currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and School Performance.

Lucie Chamberlain

Alta View Elementary

If a movie about super teachers were ever made, Lucie Chamberlain would be a prime candidate for a leading role. Fortunately for her kindergarten students at Alta View Elementary, she already thrives in a supporting role for them. Parents thank her for being a “super teacher.” She is also described as an “amazing colleague.” Whether students need help in the classroom or from home while sick, Lucie goes above and beyond to help them learn, overcome fears, and feel important and cared for. Lucie is the reason a number of kids went from hating school to loving it, according to parents. The way she exudes patience, sweetness, positive energy, and love for her students with special needs melts is appreciated and admired. One parent noted: “Both my kids wish she could be their teacher forever.” Another added:  “She treats every student like their learning and their feelings are her priority.” Super teacher, indeed!

Specialty Schools

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Elementary Schools

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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Canyons School District is committed to making this website compliant with the ADA. At this time, we recognize that not all areas of this website may be ADA compliant. We are currently in the process of redesigning and creating new website content to be compliant with the W3C Level Two guidelines. If you are experiencing issues with this website, please contact us here communications@canyonsdistrict.org

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