When looking for a new home, most people look at how good the school districts are, especially if they have children. Knowing the quality of the schools can give you a rough idea of what the area is like. So, factoring in the right schools when looking for new homes in Utah can make all the difference in the world. But just how good are the schools in Utah? Here’s what you need to know.
Where Utah Schools Rank
A study conducted in 2024 revealed that, including high schools in sandy utah, Utah placed 13th overall when it came to the best schools in the country. Several factors were taken into account to compile the rankings, including class size, test scores, dropout rate, and safety. In regards to average SAT scores, Utah was the second best but also ranked the worst in terms of student-to-teacher ratio, with there being about 23 students per teacher. Unfortunately, Utah was ranked 50th overall in terms of education spending, including expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools per student. However, it is ranked among the top schools with low spending but a strong school system.
The School Choice In Utah
Utah is a state that promotes school choice, enabling parents to allocate their child’s education funds towards their preferred educational options. This includes traditional public schools, private institutions, magnet schools, charter schools, online learning, microschooling, homeschooling, or a combination of these approaches. In 2024, Utah introduced the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program to assist families opting for private schooling or homeschooling, as well as to help cover the related expenses.
Utah provides not only school choice and financial assistance but also an open enrollment policy. This allows you and your child to select any school to attend, irrespective of geographical limitations. Since not every school may suit your child’s needs or your family’s preferences, the ability to find the right match is highly attractive and significant for many families.
What Are The Best Preschools In Utah?
While Utah offers open enrollment and school choice, being close to your preferred school is still advantageous. Fortunately, your child will receive a quality education at any school in Utah. If you’re uncertain about where to begin, here are just a few of the highest-rated preschools in the state.
● Cottonwood Elementary in Salt Lake City: Cottonwood Elementary is situated in the east-central region of the Granite School District, along Holladay Boulevard. Since its establishment in 1959, it has been a prominent community landmark in Holladay. The school’s philosophy centers on delivering an enriched curriculum designed to foster student success. Cottonwood consistently ranks among the top schools for end-of-year assessments, and students identified as Advanced Learners through Granite District Testing are grouped together in homeroom classes led by teachers with gifted endorsements.
● Crimson View Elementary in Saint George: Crimson View Elementary serves students from PreK to 5th grade with an enrollment of approximately 600. Established in 2013, the school emphasizes a robust STEM curriculum and has earned the Platinum School designation from the Utah STEM Action Center. Additionally, in 2019, Crimson View was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
What Are The Best Elementary Schools In Utah?
There are plenty of elementary schools located around Utah, but here are some of the top ranked ones for you to consider.
● Howard R. Driggs Elementary in Salt Lake City: Howard R. Driggs Elementary School offers a challenging, impactful, and fair educational environment, fostering a supportive community that exemplifies respect, diligence, and the importance of every individual’s uniqueness.
● Sunrise Elementary in Sandy: Students at Sunrise Elementary School view themselves as active participants in their education. They are aware of their current abilities and understand the steps needed to achieve mastery in various skills. The school’s present objectives are integrated into a mission plan designed to enhance proficiency in Science, Math, and Language Arts. Additionally, to improve the overall school environment, teachers will concentrate on equipping all students with strategies to manage internalizing behaviors within the classroom.
What Are The Best Middle Schools In Utah?
Middle school can be one of the toughest times for children as they just start to head into their preteen years. Here are a few of the best middle schools to consider when looking for the best place for your child.
● InTech Collegiate Academy in Logan: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) is at the core of everything they do. From our educational resources and the courses offered to the extracurricular activities, InTech stands out as a unique institution. They achieve these goals through doing outreach to under-represented groups, hosting early college programs, and offering STEM-oriented courses and activities.
● Butler Middle School in Salt Lake City: The foremost priority of the school is student learning, which guides all decisions affecting its operations. Students achieve the greatest success when they are actively involved in their education and have access to diverse course options and teaching methods. Every student is recognized as a unique individual with distinct learning preferences and a range of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs.
What Are The Best High Schools In Utah?
It’s always good to know which high schools are actively preparing your child for college, so here are some of the top ones to choose from.
● Utah County Academy of Science in Orem: UCAS is a forward-thinking early college high school that focuses on STEM education. Students who are academically ready can achieve both a high school diploma and up to two years of college credit within a secure and nurturing dual-campus setting. The school boasts an impressive graduation rate of 99%.
● Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science in Layton: NUAMES (Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering & Science) is an early college high school that has locations in Layton and Ogden. In collaboration with Weber State University, NUAMES provides high school students the chance to accumulate college credits while completing their high school education. More than half of NUAMES seniors achieve their associate degree just one month before they graduate from high school.
It may take some time to find the school that will best facilitate your child, but exercising time and patience will reward you with the most benefits. But if you’re still concerned about where you should send your child, feel free to contact a Utah representative to learn more about the schools you’re interested in looking at.
