Photo: National Scenic Byways Online · Public domainPayson’s public schools outscore 68% of Utah districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Payson, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Utah, not nationally.
From Utah state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Payson’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 172 Utah towns with household incomes within a quarter of Payson’s, its schools beat 48%, lower than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $8,993 per student, against $11,467 across Utah (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then three middle schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 26% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Payson’s grade
B+: better than 68% of Utah school districts, #64 of 119 Utah towns. Graduation is above the Utah average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Payson, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Payson · depends on your address
Payson High
Grades 6–12 · 1,648 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Payson Jr High
Grades 7–9 · 1,143 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Mt. Nebo Middle
Grades 6–7 · 1,034 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Payson · depends on your address
Payson High
Grades 6–12 · 1,648 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Payson Jr High
Grades 7–9 · 1,143 students · 24:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Payson · depends on your address
Payson High
Grades 6–12 · 1,648 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Payson Jr High
Grades 7–9 · 1,143 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Payson
Payson High
Grades 6–12 · 1,648 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Payson
Payson High
Grades 6–12 · 1,648 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Payson
Payson High
Grades 6–12 · 1,648 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Payson’s public schools are run by Nebo School District, which also serves Elk Ridge, Genola, Goshen and Mapleton and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
How students score
Payson vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Utah towns that share Payson’s borders.
Every school in Payson
8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Utah’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Payson’s schools
Are Payson’s schools good?
By Utah’s own tests, yes: the public schools Payson children attend outscore 68% of Utah’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #64 of 119 Utah towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 48%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Payson in?
Nebo School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 43,696 students in 49 schools (2024–25).
What is Payson’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Nebo School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Utah.
How much does Payson spend per student?
$8,993 in Nebo School District (FY2024), against $11,467 across Utah. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Payson families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Payson → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Utah. Stars are from neighbors.