2025-2026 Student Registration
Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is open and there are still openings in classes. Whether you're a new or returning family, visit our registration information page to learn more about tuition, parent and student commitments, policies, and available classes.
We're thrilled to announce a new Mathematics program with a pilot in Provo, UT, as well as a huge expansion of our Robotics program, with classes across the Wasatch front. To learn more about Math, click here. To learn more about Robotics, click here.
Upcoming Events - Healthy Summer
Healthy Summer is a great way for students to stay connected between school years. Various activities are happening throughout the summer. Activities are free, and friends are welcome. Many of the activities require sign up, so be sure you check out what's available and let us know you're coming.
Welcome to the Independent Education Program
Excellent Education for Your
Homeschool Teenager
Many homeschool and alternatively educated families struggle to stay independent in their education programs because homeschooling itself isn’t meeting the growing needs of their teenage students. Many of these families love homeschooling, they want it to work, but they don’t have sufficient access to content that is-
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At the secondary level
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High quality and academically rigorous
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Reliably available year over year
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A la carte
This lack of access puts homeschooling families in a difficult position. On the one hand, they can piece together whatever options exist in their area, i.e. if their local co-op has a great math program, then great. If not, then things get tough. On the other hand, if they enroll their students in a school or program that has more comprehensive offerings, that program will also likely limit flexibility.
This decision between flexibility and quality education is a decision we don't want homeschool families to have to make. Good homeschooling should not be limited to the primary level. We want teens to have great education, regardless of whether they're part of a schooling system or independent.
The vision of the Independent Education Program is to fill that gap by providing consistent, high quality, academic content that gives parents more a la carte options to build out their secondary level homeschool curriculum. We also want to strengthen co-ops or homeschool friendly schools by creating high quality content that can add valuable offerings in their class schedules.
Our Approach to Teaching
In the Independent Education Program, we take our classroom approach very seriously to ensure that we facilitate the key experiences we want students to have. Our philosophy has four key elements:
One
We are serious about using research-based teaching methods. Specifically active learning. Study after study demonstrates that the most effective teaching methods are methods in which you can observe the learning that the student is doing. We care whether or not our teaching methods produce real results, and that is why students are constantly learning in observable ways that require grit and growth.
Two
We take, as much as is practical and possible, a viewpoint neutral approach in our classrooms. While we are serious about teaching students the concepts and practices relevant to the subject they are learning, we are not interested in using the classroom to promote a specific political or ideological agenda. We believe that shaping student worldviews is a parental prerogative, and we seek to respect that.
Three
We invest a lot of time and energy into helping students develop mindsets and perspectives that aid them in dealing with challenges and growth. We also dedicate our classroom to teaching students to have a mindset that values responsibility, effort over perfection, risk taking over trophies, and motivating students by the desire for self respect rather than the fear of self degradation.
Four
Finally, we try to cultivate the same mindset in ourselves. We are willing to hear and, in fact, seek out feedback from our students because we are more concerned with doing what is best for them than with being right. We’re willing to learn and always trying to improve. We understand that great teachers are what make the biggest difference in a classroom, and we are willing to do what it takes to be great teachers.
Courses Offered by
The IEProgram
Speech & Debate
The speech and debate program (the Wasatch Independent Debate League) has been around for nearly 15 years and is directed by Sam Martineau.
In this class, students learn the skills of critical thinking, persuasion, listening, and effective communication in context of eight speaking and debate events.
The effect of this class on students is incredible, and as a result, students frequently place in national competitions. Not only that, students learn the soft skills they need to be successful at anything they do later on in life.
Constitution Studies
This course is about learning the text, context, meaning and intent behind the Constitution. Specifically, students use Moot Court to learn this document inside and out.
Students use real and hypothetical cases in a mock Supreme Court setting to learn the meaning and merit behind everything in this founding document of our nation.
Year one focuses on the body of the Constitution. Year two focuses on the amendments. Students will argue in moot court - both in class and against other students in moot court competitions!
English
The English program is designed to create great writers and deep thinkers who appreciate the value and beauty of stories and the written word. Our courses integrate the quiet work of reading and writing with lively in-class activities and discussions to create a comprehensive, life-changing experience that prepares students for college (or other goals) after high school.
Our literature curriculum invites students to drink deeply from classic literature and thoughtful nonfiction, to explore the great themes of the human existence, to understand the literary tools authors use to communicate their ideas, and to experience a deeper and richer understanding of a teenager’s “inner world” and the world around them.
Our writing curriculum encourages students to make connections and develop their unique voice while also focusing on the fundamental concepts of exceptional writing. In addition to learning how to communicate their thoughts effectively and creatively, students learn technical skills such as grammar, mechanics, structure, and format through essays, creative writing, and other literary activities. Surrounded by peers who are also doing the hard work of writing, students are incentivized to elevate their effort, complete assignments, and showcase their work.
Robotics
The Independent Education Program is thrilled to announce the expansion of its Robotics Program - and classes are open along the Wasatch Front. With classes for students ages 6-18, there’s something for everyone!
Robotics classes use FIRST robotics projects, challenges, and competitions to bring the world of STEM to students along with experiences in teamwork and problem solving, creative thinking and more.
Mathematics
The IEProgram is thrilled to announce a new pilot Pre-algebra class for the 2025-2026 school year. It will be taught by Andy Huff in Provo.
Students will build a solid foundation in Pre-Algebra. Topics will include Integers, Rounding, Multiples & Greatest Common Factors, Fractions, Ratios & Decimals, Equations & Percentages, Exponents & Roots, Two-Step Equations & Inequalities, and Graphing.
Start a Class in Your Co-op or Commonwealth
We work with all sorts of groups to provide the best education available to independently educated teens. Our model is not only flexible for the student, it's flexible for the group that student is a part of.
A large number of our students are part of a homeschool co-op or commonwealth, while others are enrolled in private or charter schools, or taking classes as part of a completely custom built curriculum.
All of our classes are offered online in addition to in-person, which means no matter where you are, you can access incredible courses in any setting.
If you would like to use one of our classes in your program, find out more with the link below, or contact us directly.
Meet Our Program Directors
Sam Martineau
General Director
Sam has taught speech and debate to thousands of homeschooled students over the course of seventeen years. He is the founder and director of the Wasatch Independent Debate League and the Independent Education Program. He is a 2021 U.S. Distinguished Teacher and a recipient of the KSL:Teacher of the Week award. He has seen significant success in coaching in the National Mock Trial Competition, International Public Policy Forum, and Utah Model United Nations.
Samuel Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Weber State University with a B.S.and teaching certification in Communication Teaching and History Teaching.
ToriAnn Perkey
Executive Director
ToriAnn has been teaching English and writing in the homeschool community since 2014, and she’s been involved with editing, curriculum development, and publishing for over 30 years. Her goal with all English classes is to create an engaging and stimulating environment that invites students to think deeply, communicate well, make connections, and appreciate the beauty of the English language. She homeschooled her four children from birth to graduation, with the youngest to graduate in 2025. She’s also mentored thousands of new and struggling homeschool families through online and live presentations. When she’s not curled up with her latest book, she loves watching British mysteries, Survivor, or the latest Sci-Fi movie.
ToriAnn graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Classical Studies (Latin Emphasis), with a minor in History and a “minor” in Editing & Publishing (the minor didn’t exist yet, but the classes did).
Adrianne Thygerson
Robotics Director
Adrianne is a mother of four adult children and a new grandmother. She loved the years she spent teaching her own children and has mentored countless others through classes, camps, and outreach events. She is passionate about education for all ages and has a special place in her heart for STEM education, English language instruction for non-native speakers, and global cultural education.
With over a decade of volunteer experience in the FIRST Robotics program, Adrianne has held numerous roles, including coach, coach liaison, and mentor at both local and state levels. She has also served as a team manager, Utah FIRST Robotics Board Member, judge, and proud parent. As a coach and team manager, she mentored many award-winning teams that earned state and regional recognition at both FIRST LEGO League and the FIRST Robotics Competition events. Several of these teams advanced to world competitions. However, Adrianne firmly believes that every child wins when they work hard to learn new skills that apply in real-world settings.
Mary Stoddard
Constitution Studies Director
Mary is a proud homeschool grad with a passion for quality education and mentorship. Prior to her work with the IEProgram, she taught American history and civics for homeschooled teenagers. She also worked as a music teacher for ten years, giving piano and voice lessons from her home.
Mary is currently pursuing an M.A. in Constitutional Government, Civics, and Law at Utah Valley University, where she previously graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Accounting and a minor in Business Management. While in her undergrad, she also completed pre-medical studies. In high school, Mary was a successful competitor in the WIDL and participated in an independent, student-run debate and moot court club.
In her free time, Mary enjoys staying involved in church and community volunteer work and spending time with her family and friends.
Andy Huff
Mathematics Director
Andy Huff enjoys guiding students to find their love for math and has been doing so for the last seventeen years. Since he holds two engineering degrees, he teaches math from a practical perspective, rather than only a theoretical one. Andy began his career as a rocket scientist but fell in love with teaching while conducting training sessions at work. He returned to school to study various teaching philosophies, all the while homeschooling his three children.
Throughout his teaching career, he has had the pleasure of teaching students from elementary to university levels. He even taught University Success classes at Utah Valley University (UVU). Two of his homeschooled children have already graduated from college. He has lived in Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Russia, Hungary, and Italy, loves traveling, camping, being outside, singing, and especially spending time with his beautiful family.
Andy graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering and from the University of Utah with an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering.