Photo: Invictus323 · CC BY 4.0Salt Lake City’s public schools score below 82% of Utah districts on tests and graduation
30% of students in Salt Lake City’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Utah average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving Salt Lake City, 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.
Salt Lake City’s schools, in brief
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,955 per student, against $11,467 across Utah (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
23 elementary schools, then seven middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
City Academy, Salt Lake Arts Academy, Guadalupe School, Dual Immersion Academy, Open Classroom, Salt Lake Center for Science Education, Pacific Heritage Academy, Wallace Stegner Academy, Rowland Hall (private), Judge Memorial Catholic High School (private), The McGillis School (private), The Madeleine Choir School (private), J E Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School (private), Carden Memorial School (private), Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (private), Lolie Eccles Early Education Center (private), University Academy (private), Montessori Community School of Salt Lake City (private), Redeemer Lutheran School (private), Carmen B Pingree Center (private), Miss Billies Kids Kampus (private) and Pinyon Montessori (private) are in town. Utah Connections Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
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 Salt Lake City’s grade
C−: better than 18% of Utah school districts, last of 119 Utah towns. Both inputs trail the Utah average; among the 143 Utah towns with similar household incomes, Salt Lake City’s schools place at the bottom.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Salt Lake City, with each school’s own grade.
Salt Lake City’s public schools are run by Salt Lake City School District. 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
Salt Lake City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Utah towns that share Salt Lake City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | C− | Salt Lake City |
| Millcreek | C− | Granite |
| South Salt Lake | C− | Granite |
| Magna | C− | Granite |
| West Valley City | C− | Granite |
| North Salt Lake | B+ | Davis |
| Emigration Canyon | C− | Granite |
Every school in Salt Lake City
57 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).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts, Salt Lake Technology Center and Sky View Academy).
Questions about Salt Lake City’s schools
Are Salt Lake City’s schools good?
On Utah’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Salt Lake City children attend score below 82% of Utah’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they place at the bottom. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Salt Lake City in?
Salt Lake City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 19,049 students in 35 schools (2024–25).
Where do Salt Lake City kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: West High, Highland High, East High and Innovations Early College High School.
What is Salt Lake City’s graduation rate?
76% of the class of 2023 in Salt Lake City School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Utah.
How much does Salt Lake City spend per student?
$14,955 in Salt Lake City School District (FY2024), against $11,467 across Utah. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Salt Lake City?
Yes: Rowland Hall (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 992 students), Judge Memorial Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 615 students), The McGillis School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 395 students), The Madeleine Choir School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 394 students), J E Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 363 students), Carden Memorial School (religious, grades PK–8, 314 students), Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 174 students), Lolie Eccles Early Education Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 94 students), University Academy (nonsectarian, grades 1–12, 82 students), Montessori Community School of Salt Lake City (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 75 students), Redeemer Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 62 students), Carmen B Pingree Center (special education, grades , 60 students), Miss Billies Kids Kampus (nonsectarian, grades K, 12 students) and Pinyon Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 5 students). Salt Lake City also has 8 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Salt Lake City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Salt Lake City → 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.