"Of all the charter schools this is perhaps the most remarkable," said Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. at the DIA ribbon-cutting last week.

Guadalupe School has a history of success over the past three decades as a hybrid public/private school. But last year it was accepted by the state as a charter school.

Also located in Glendale, the school targets children coming from immigrant families and works to ensure the children can read and write at grade level by the third grade. The program starts from birth with counselors working with parents on how to integrate literacy into a child's development.

Charter schools are also starting to spread into more rural areas as well — areas where families oftentimes have few educational options. Next fall new charter schools will be starting in Springville, Roosevelt, Herriman, Eagle Mountain and Cedar City.

For more information on charter schools visit www.schools.utah.gov/charterschools.

New charter schools open this year

Canyon Rim, Salt Lake City, www.canyonrimacademy.org

C.S. Lewis Academy, Payson, www.cslewisacademy.org

Dual Immersion Academy, Salt Lake City, www.diacharter.org

Edith Bowen Laboratory School, Logan, www.cehs.usu.edu/eb

Guadalupe School, Salt Lake City, www.guadalupe-schools.org

Karl Maeser Prep, Lindon, www.maeserprep.org

Open Classroom, Salt Lake City, www.ocslc.org

Charter school growth

Year, Number of charters in Utah

2002, 13

2003, 19

2004, 28

2005, 36

2006, 51

2007, 58

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E-mail: terickson@desnews.com