Alta Independent — Privacy Policy

Last Updated: April 21, 2026

Alta Independent, LC ("Alta," "we," "us," or "our") respects the privacy of students and families. This Privacy Policy explains Alta's data practices. By using altaindependent.org or altastudent.com (the "Sites") or enrolling with Alta, you acknowledge this Policy. Specific activities — such as call recording, FERPA record releases, and recurring billing authorization — are governed by separate consent provisions described below or in the Alta Independent Terms of Service.

1.  Information We Collect

Alta collects information necessary for enrollment, academic records, billing, communication, and required reporting. This may include:

• Identifying information: student and parent/guardian name, date of birth, address, phone, and email.
• Academic information: prior transcripts, coursework, grades, attendance, accommodations documentation (IEP/504), and graduation plans.
• Billing information: payment method details processed by our PCI-compliant payment processor. Alta does not store full credit card numbers.
• Account information: username, password, and portal activity.
• Communication records: phone calls (which may be recorded), live chat transcripts, email correspondence, and support interactions.
• Device and usage information: browser type, IP address, pages visited, and time spent on our Sites for security and analytics purposes.

2.  How We Use Information

Alta uses collected information to:

• Enroll students and deliver educational services.
• Process tuition payments and maintain billing records.
• Generate and maintain official academic records, including transcripts.
• Communicate with students, families, and authorized partners.
• Provide technical, academic, and administrative support.
• Comply with federal, state, and accreditor reporting requirements.
• Improve service quality and platform security.

3.  How We Share Information

Alta does not sell student or family data to third-party marketers.

We share information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Approved third-party service providers necessary for service delivery (curriculum platforms, payment processors, communication tools, and accreditor-required reporting).
• Partner programs where the student is enrolled through a partnership agreement, and only as required to deliver the agreed-upon services.
• Educational institutions when a family requests records be sent to a receiving school, district, college, or university.
• Legal authorities when required by law, subpoena, court order, or to protect student safety.

4.  Third-Party Service Providers

Alta uses third-party platforms including but not limited to Edgenuity, Buzz, Google Workspace, MemberPress, Authorize.Net, and communication providers. These providers have their own privacy policies. Alta shares only the minimum necessary information with approved third parties and requires them to maintain appropriate data protections.

5.  Artificial Intelligence Tools

Alta primarily uses Google Workspace (including Google Classroom) for day-to-day operations and may use AI features integrated within that environment or other approved operational tools. AI may be used to support administrative tasks such as drafting communications, scheduling, and improving operational efficiency. Alta does not collect, sell, or monetize student or family personal data through AI tools or any other means.

Alta does not control how third-party curriculum or platform providers (such as Edgenuity, Buzz, or other tools used to deliver coursework) may incorporate AI features within their own systems. Families are encouraged to review each provider's privacy policy for information about that provider's AI and data practices.

6.  Payment Data

Alta uses PCI-compliant payment processors to handle all transactions. Alta does not store full credit card numbers on its servers. Payment processors retain limited payment data as required to process recurring transactions and provide receipts.

7.  FERPA Compliance

Alta complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.

• Parental rights: Parents/guardians of students under 18 have the right to inspect, review, and request corrections to education records.
• Transfer of rights at age 18: When a student turns 18, FERPA rights transfer from the parent to the student. Parents may continue to receive reports only if the student signs a FERPA consent form authorizing continued parental access.
• Consent for disclosure: Except for specific exceptions permitted by FERPA (such as school officials with legitimate educational interest, transfer to another school, health and safety emergencies, or response to a subpoena), Alta's operational policy is to require written consent before disclosing personally identifiable information from education records. This consent-based approach reflects Alta's practice; it is not intended to describe the full outer limit of what FERPA may permit in narrow legal circumstances.
• FERPA consent form: Students may authorize release of specific records for specific purposes by completing a FERPA consent form. Consent may be revoked at any time in writing.
• Right to inspect: Students and eligible parents have the right to inspect records released under a FERPA consent.

To request records or submit a FERPA consent form, email registrar@altaindependent.com.

8.  Children Under 13 (COPPA)

By enrolling a student under the age of 13, parents/guardians provide consent for Alta to collect and use that student's information solely for educational purposes as described in this policy. Alta does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 outside of authorized enrollment. Parents may review, request deletion of, or refuse further collection of their child's information at any time by contacting support@altaindependent.com.

9.  Call Recording & Communication Retention

Alta may record phone calls and retain live chat transcripts for training, quality assurance, and record-keeping purposes. Where required by applicable law, Alta will provide notice and obtain consent before recording.

10.  Marketing Communications

Alta may send service-related emails (billing notices, academic updates, policy changes) that cannot be opted out of while enrolled. Alta may also send newsletters or program updates; Families may opt out of non-essential marketing communications at any time using the unsubscribe link in those emails.

11.  Record Requests

To request educational records, email registrar@altaindependent.com. Alta responds to record requests within a reasonable time and in compliance with FERPA and applicable state law. The first transcript is provided free; additional transcripts may be subject to the fees listed on our pricing page.

12.  Data Retention

Alta strives to maintain student academic records indefinitely, consistent with accreditor and state requirements, so that transcripts and academic history remain available to former students when needed. Billing and financial records are retained as required by applicable tax and business laws.

When a student's subscription or enrollment ends, the student portal becomes inactive. Former students may request academic records, transcripts, or other records at any time, and may reactivate their portal if they return to Alta. A small administrative fee may apply for services such as additional transcripts, record retrieval, or portal reactivation, as described on Alta's pricing page or communicated at the time of the request.

Records may be retained longer as needed to resolve disputes, enforce agreements, or comply with legal obligations.

13.  Data Security

Alta uses reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information, including encrypted data transmission, access controls, and vendor security review. No system is perfectly secure, but Alta works to maintain industry-standard protections appropriate to the sensitivity of the data collected.

14.  Data Breach Notification

In the event of a confirmed data breach affecting personal information, Alta will notify affected Families in accordance with Utah state law and applicable federal requirements.

15.  Cookies & Website Tracking

The Sites may use cookies and similar technologies for authentication, analytics, and user experience. You may disable cookies in your browser settings, but doing so may limit functionality of the Student Portal and payment system.

16.  Your Rights

To the extent required by applicable law, and subject to Alta's obligations to retain student education records and comply with FERPA, accreditor, tax, and other legal requirements, you may have the right to:

• Request a copy of the personal information Alta holds about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of information not subject to legal retention requirements.
• Withdraw consent for non-essential data uses.

To exercise these rights, email support@altaindependent.com. Alta will evaluate each request under applicable law; certain requests may be limited or denied where record-retention duties apply.

17.  Changes to This Policy

Alta may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy reflects the most recent version. Material changes will be communicated by email or through the Student Portal.

Continued use of Alta services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

18.  Contact Us

Questions about this Privacy Policy or Alta's data practices:

Email: support@altaindependent.com Registrar / Records: registrar@altaindependent.com Phone: (888)

423-9192