Two Canyons School District programs serving adult learners will move to the former Bella Vista Elementary in Cottonwood Heights, giving Life Skills Academy students with disabilities and Entrada Adult High School students a shared campus on Fort Union Boulevard starting in the 2027-28 school year.

The Canyons Board of Education approved the relocation at its Tuesday, July 7 meeting after Dr. Tom Sherwood, Director of CSD High Schools, presented the proposal. The building at 2131 Fort Union Blvd. sits within walking distance of the Whitmore Library, multiple business partners, and a UTA bus stop — features Sherwood called critical for programs focused on independent living and workforce readiness.

The move solves a looming space problem. The Life Skills Academy's current home at Crescent View Middle School in Sandy is under contract to be sold to Sandy City for $17 million. A leaseback agreement lets LSA stay through the 2026-27 school year, but the program needs a permanent site after that. Entrada, which offers credit-bearing classes for adults pursuing a diploma, currently operates on the Diamond Ridge High campus in Sandy and has outgrown its space.

Sherwood told the board the Fort Union site "creates a direct opportunity for Life Skills students to pursue a high school diploma at the same building in which they are learning how to lead more independent lives." He emphasized the two programs will remain separate and distinct, though the shared location allows what he called "cross over services" between them.

LSA serves roughly 70 students with disabilities who have aged out of high school, providing vocational training Monday through Thursday. In earlier reporting by the Sandy Journal, LSA Principal Stacey Nofsinger stressed that transit access tops the priority list for any new location, saying the program prepares students for independent living and pre-job readiness.

Board President Amber Shill, who represents District 2 covering most of Cottonwood Heights, presided over the vote. The board summary notes parents and students at both programs were informed before the vote and given a chance to provide input.

What's next: Both Entrada and LSA will remain at their current locations for the entire 2026-27 school year. The next Canyons Board of Education business meeting is Tuesday, August 18, with a study session at 4:30 p.m. and business meeting at 7 p.m. at the district office, 9361 S. 300 E., Sandy.