# How Can Utah Expand Microschool Access with ESA Demand Outpacing Supply?

By Michael B. Horn · Published 2025-03-28 · Updated 2026-06-08 · Education Technology on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/education-technology/with-esa-demand-outpacing-supply-how-can-utah-expand-microschool-access
Creator hub: The Future of Education with Michael Horn

> Utah faces a critical gap between families seeking alternative education and the microschools available to serve them

## Key points

- Utah's ESA program received 27,000 applications but only 10,000 scholarships were available, exposing a major microschool supply shortage.
- Utah passed legislation allowing microschools (≤100 students) in all zoning areas and reducing building occupancy requirements to lower the barrier to entry.
- Many microschool founders are educators or parents lacking entrepreneurial skills, making business support in operations, marketing, and finance a critical need.

Block Field

Across the country, education savings accounts (ESAs) are reshaping how families think about schooling, but in Utah, surging demand is outpacing available options. Last year, [roughly 27,000 students](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/02/08/lawmakers-ask-another-80-million/) applied for Utah's ESA program, but only 10,000 scholarships were available. While parental interest in alternative education is booming, a new bottleneck is emerging: the supply of microschools.

> While parental interest in alternative education is booming, a new bottleneck is emerging: the supply of microschools.

So, how can Utah meet the growing demand for small, innovative schools and remove the regulatory roadblocks that stand in the way?

In this episode of [*The Future of Education*](https://marketscale.com/shows/the-future-of-education-with-michael-horn/), host [Michael Horn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbhorn/) speaks with [**Jon England**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jengland1226/), an education policy analyst at the [**Libertas Institute**](https://libertas.org/) and former school principal, about what's fueling the [microschool movement](https://marketscale.com/industries/education-technology/the-fire-behind-microschools-and-personalized-learning-begins-with-innovative-sparks/) in Utah. Together, they explore how new state laws are helping founders overcome zoning hurdles, reduce building occupancy regulations, and create more flexible learning environments for families.

**Key takeaways from the conversation…**

- **Utah's ESA demand far exceeds supply**, with 27,000 applications and just 10,000 scholarships, highlighting the urgent need for more microschool options.
- **Zoning and building regulations are major barriers** to school creation. Utah addressed this issue by passing a law to allow microschools (defined as 100 students or fewer) in all zones and [reduce unnecessary building code requirements](https://spn.org/articles/utah-microschool-law/).
- **Business acumen is a growing need** for microschool founders—many are educators or parents, not entrepreneurs, and require support in sustainable operations, marketing, and financial planning.

### About the Guest

**Jon England** is an education policy analyst at the **Libertas Institute**, where he focuses on advancing school choice, removing regulatory barriers, and supporting alternative education models like microschools. He brings over 14 years of experience in public education as a former teacher and principal, and co-hosts the Dimond Education Podcast. His career is built on a foundation of classroom leadership, education reform, and service, including eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Tags: Jon England, Libertas Institute, Michael Horn, microschools, The Future of Education

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