American Preparatory Academy West Valley

8 hours ago

American Preparatory Academy is thrilled to announce that our programs, teachers, and administrators have been recognized with 9 Best of State Utah Awards for 2026! This honor belongs to the entire APA community — the dedicated educators, program leaders, and students who bring excellence to our campuses every single day.

These awards span three categories and recognize the remarkable depth of talent within our network — from classroom instruction and educator training to the transformative power of music in our students' lives.

2026 Best of State Award Winners

Community Development

* Public Sector Youth Organization — APA Character Development Program

Education

* Management / Employee Training — Jennifer Walstad, Assistant Superintendent
* Teacher Training — Jennifer Walstad, Assistant Superintendent
* Seminar Training / Education — Trina Christensen, Sistema Utah Director
* Early Childhood Music Education — Trina Christensen
* Music Education K–12 — Trina Christensen

Arts & Entertainment

* Performing Arts — Community Music Program — Sistema Utah
* Performing Arts — Musical Instruments — Sistema Utah
* Performing Arts — Children's Orchestra — Sistema Utah

We are immensely proud of Jennifer Walstad, whose dual honors in teacher training and employee development highlight her unwavering commitment to supporting and developing educators throughout our district.

The APA Character Development Program's recognition as the Best Public Sector Youth Organization affirms a central tenet of our mission — that academic excellence and strong character are inseparable. This award is a reminder that what we are building at APA goes far beyond test scores. We are forming young people prepared to lead, serve, and make the world a better place.

Sistema Utah’s ongoing success in the Arts & Entertainment categories further underscores the program’s transformative influence on the West Valley community.

Trina Christensen’s three awards reinforce what APA families have long known: she is among the state’s most inspiring and influential music educators.

With these nine awards, APA and our affiliated programs have achieved an impressive 67 Best of State Utah recognitions since 2017. We are deeply grateful to the Best of State organization for this continued recognition and are especially thankful to the extraordinary individuals who make American Prep exceptional.

Congratulations to all of our 2026 winners! 🏅

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