Skip to content 
American Prep is a classical-liberal arts school with an aim to educate both the minds and hearts of our students. Human flourishing is the goal of classical education. Our program strongly focuses on rigorous academics, virtuous character development, and college preparation. Click here to learn more about the APA Philosophy and what makes an APA education so important.
The American Prep story began in 2002 with a small group of dedicated parents who envisioned a school for their children that would help them to flourish and be happy people, and who would grow up and support America’s democratic republic as well-informed citizens. 20 years later, we are still excited every day to see our happy students grow and achieve. American Preparatory Academy has become an award-winning public charter school, now serving over 5,000 students at eight campuses in Utah.
Click here to see the timeline of our school expansion.
Our school’s mission is to provide a classical, liberal arts education through an orderly, safe and nurturing learning environment wherein content-rich, efficient curriculum and research-based instructional methodologies are utilized to ensure that every student achieves academic success and develops good character based on concrete measurements.
American Preparatory Academy's charter schools are governed by a governing board, Utah Charter Academies (UCA). UCA governs the following campuses in Utah: Draper 1, Draper 2, Draper 3, West Valley 1, West Valley 2 & 3, The Early Learning Center, Salem, Cedar City, and Eagle Mountain.
Board members usually serve for 3-5 years, although there is no term limit on governing board positions. When a governing board seat opens up, the board will petition for applications via the parent newsletter.
Public governing board meetings are typically held on the 4th Thursday of the month at 7:00 at the APA District Office, located at 12894 S. Pony Express Rd. Ste. 400 or virtually via Google Meet. Since the board members are volunteers, the meetings work around their schedules and are not always held on the scheduled date. All UCA board meetings are open to the public. Meeting agendas are posted at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance and include the time and location on the Utah Public Notice Website. Utah Charter Academies follows the Utah Open Meetings Act. You can search for our school under Utah Charter Academies.
To receive an automatic e-mail or RSS feed whenever the UCA Board of Directors has a public meeting, you may do so on the Utah Public Notice Website. You may also go to this site for meeting dates.
Board Rules of Order & Procedure
Bylaws of UCA
Find agendas, minutes, materials, and audio of past meetings here:
American Preparatory Schools (APS) is the charter management organization that provides leadership and oversight to American Preparatory Academy campuses as well as other charter schools in multiple states across the nation. APS is entrusted by APA’s Governing Board to ensure that students receive a world-class education, families receive exceptional support, and schools operate with efficiency and integrity.
Thanks to Carolyn’s tireless efforts, the American Preparatory Academies have successfully prepared students for whatever may meet them in the future. She organized the original board of parents in 2002, and it was her vision that led the schools to West Valley, Las Vegas, and even Zambia, Africa. She has continued to give her time, her expertise, and her heart to the APA schools.
Since 2010, Mrs. Brunson has successfully guided federal and state compliance activities at APA. Through policy development, reporting, facilitation of monitoring activities, and the solicitation and management of grant funds that supplement our programs, Mrs. Brunson relieves the burden and clears the way for teachers and administrators to focus their talents and energies on our students and families.
Casey Crellin has hands-on experience in financial and management leadership from startup to Fortune 500’s across a variety of domestic and international for-profit industries. After having lived in the Bay Area and Colorado, Casey is grateful to be back in Utah, climbing the education and regulation learning curve, and supporting outstanding students, educators, and innovators at American Preparatory Academy – where integrity and aspirational ideas matter. Casey is inspiring to those he works with and often says, “I love to work, work to live, and live to enjoy family and outdoor adventures near and far!”
Tim was one of the original parents and founders of American Prep. He met Carolyn in 2002 at a city meeting as a concerned citizen. Tim is responsible for the smooth operations of all American Prep schools. Tim’s calm demeanor and approachable personality allows him to be successful at his job, not to mention his tireless efforts working from sunrise to sunset at the school.
Jen Walstad has been with American Preparatory Academy since 2005. Before her current position she worked as an instructor, teacher, and school academic director. Jen plays a role in shaping educational strategies and ensuring academic excellence for students. With a strong background in education, she is dedicated to fostering a classical learning environment for students where they can flourish to the best they can be. Jen is committed to professional development and has a passion for empowering both educators and students. Her leadership at American Preparatory Academy reflects her dedication to high academic standards. She continues to work towards elevating the educational experience at the school, helping students thrive in a well-rounded academic setting.
Daniel Baker has devoted his career to education, leadership, and problem-solving. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Utah, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Constitutional Government, Civics, and Law at Utah Valley University.
Since joining American Prep in 2009, Daniel has been committed to fostering a strong academic environment. He enjoys working closely with both students and staff, whether through teaching professional development courses, analyzing data, or developing solutions to enhance educational outcomes. His passion for education is evident in his dedication to continuous learning and improvement.
Outside of his professional work, Daniel is a proud father of two daughters. He values time spent with family and engages in a variety of personal interests, including reading, writing, jiu-jitsu, origami, drawing, and board games. These activities reflect his analytical mindset, creativity, and disciplined approach to both work and personal growth.
With a strong foundation in education, leadership, and problem-solving, Daniel remains dedicated to making a meaningful impact in his field while continuing to expand his knowledge and expertise.
