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Average

#453 of 1,014 schools in UT

Top 45% in state

Alta High

High School · Canyons District

11055 South Hawk Hwy, Sandy, UT 84094

Enrollment

2,350

Student-Teacher

25.3:1

Score

6.5

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sandy

#16 of 30

public schools

Utah high schools

#66 of 173

In district

#19 of 45

Canyons District

About Alta High

Alta High serves 2,350 students in grades 8-12 in Sandy, Utah, making it one of the larger high schools in the Salt Lake County area. With 93 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.3:1, which is fairly typical for public high schools of this size. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks 840th among Utah's 1,018 schools, placing it in the 18th percentile statewide.

While these rankings indicate room for academic growth, Alta High continues to serve its diverse student body spanning middle and high school grades in this large suburban setting. The school draws from an established community where families have found stability and success. The surrounding 84094 ZIP code reflects a solid middle-class area with a median household income of $98,455 and median home values around $433,300.

About 36% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 5.5% among the area's nearly 28,000 residents. Alta High sits in Sandy's suburban landscape along South Hawk Highway, serving families in a well-established Utah community known for its proximity to both urban amenities and outdoor recreation opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

Alta High is a large school with 2,350 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Alta High is 25.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.5%
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College Readiness9.4Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation25.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,509

Alta High — Students at Alta High score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.4%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.2%
School
State
N/A

Based on 7 test records from UT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
34%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
59%
2025
Math
39.3%
ELA
39.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.2/10.

How Alta High Compares

See how Alta High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
55th percentile in UT
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
93 teachers

Location

11055 South Hawk Hwy, Sandy, UT 84094

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alta High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Diamond Ridge High School (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Corner Canyon High (rated 7.9/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Draper), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sandy, see our Sandy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Altara School Sandy 0.4 mi 6.2
HILLTOP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sandy 0.7 mi
Indian Hills Middle Sandy 0.8 mi 5.9
Sunrise School Sandy 0.7 mi 6.2
Alta View School Sandy 1.0 mi 5.1
GATEWAY ACADEMY Draper 0.9 mi
Sprucewood School Sandy 1.2 mi 6.7
BELL CANYON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Sandy 1.0 mi
Eastmont Middle Sandy 1.2 mi 7.6
Glacier Hills Elementary Sandy 1.7 mi 7.1
Crescent School Sandy 1.3 mi 4.6
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST MIDDLE SCHOOL Draper 1.5 mi 5.6
Diamond Ridge High School Sandy 1.7 mi 8.0
Draper School Draper 2.0 mi 6.4
Willow Canyon School Sandy 2.0 mi 8.1
BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Sandy 2.0 mi 6.9
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sandy 2.0 mi 6.5
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sandy 2.0 mi 7.8
THE WATERFORD SCHOOL Sandy 2.2 mi 6.4
Corner Canyon High Draper 2.3 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 84094 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$102,881

Median Home Value

$474,700

Median Rent

$1,851/mo

Population

28,277

College Educated

39.4%

Homeownership

76.8%

Avg Commute

22.8 min

Poverty Rate

6.1%

Median Age

35.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alta High has a median household income of $102,881. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $474,700, with a median rent of $1,851/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Logan High Logan, UT 6.5
Timpview High Provo, UT 6.5
Box Elder High Brigham City, UT 6.4
Pleasant Grove High Pleasant Grove, UT 6.6
Cottonwood High Salt Lake City, UT 6.3
Timpanogos High Orem, UT 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alta High

What grades does Alta High serve?

Alta High serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Alta High?

Alta High has an enrollment of approximately 2,350 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alta High?

The student-teacher ratio at Alta High is 25.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alta High rank in UT?

Alta High is ranked #453 out of 1,014 schools in UT.

What is Alta High's MySchoolScout rating?

Alta High has a composite rating of 6.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alta High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alta High has 33.4% math proficiency and 50.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Alta High a charter school?

No, Alta High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alta High a Title I school?

No, Alta High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alta High?

14.9% of students at Alta High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
17 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
2,350
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
93
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Salt Lake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Canyons District
District Enrollment
33,196
Schools in District
50
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,268
District Rank
#19 of 45

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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