Average
#547 of 1,015 schools in UT
Backman School
Elementary School · Salt Lake District
601 N 1500 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Utah schools
#547 of 1,015
In Salt Lake City
#55 of 89
public schools
In district
#22 of 38
Salt Lake District
School environment
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Backman School
Elementary School in Salt Lake City · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Escalante School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pacific Heritage Academy
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Backman School
Backman School is a public elementary school in Salt Lake City, UT, part of Salt Lake District. Backman School serves approximately 345 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Backman School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #547 of 1,015 schools in UT.
Structured state assessment records for Backman School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- District avg 6.8
- UT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Backman School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
43% of students at Backman School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Backman School — Students at Backman School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)
Based on 29 test records from UT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.4/10.
How Backman School Compares
See how Backman School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
601 N 1500 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Backman School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Parkview School (rated 7.7/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wallace Stegner Academy (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Washington School (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salt Lake City, see our Salt Lake City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Escalante School Salt Lake City | 0.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Pacific Heritage Academy Salt Lake City | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Meadowlark School Salt Lake City | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Salt Lake Center for Science Education Salt Lake City | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Rose Park School Salt Lake City | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Newman School Salt Lake City | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Guadalupe School Salt Lake City | 1.2 mi | 2.2 |
| Salt Lake Head Start Salt Lake City | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Edison School Salt Lake City | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Franklin School Salt Lake City | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Mary W. Jackson School Salt Lake City | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| North Star School Salt Lake City | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Northwest Middle Salt Lake City | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Parkview School Salt Lake City | 2.4 mi | 7.7 |
| West High Salt Lake City | 1.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Wallace Stegner Academy Salt Lake City | 2.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Dual Immersion Academy Salt Lake City | 2.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Washington School Salt Lake City | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Glendale Middle Salt Lake City | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Mountain View School Salt Lake City | 3.1 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 84116 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,604
Median Home Value
$334,900
Median Rent
$1,280/mo
Population
37,136
College Educated
24.3%
Homeownership
52.9%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Median Age
32.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bennion School Salt Lake City, UT | 6.2 |
| Davis School Vernal, UT | 6.2 |
| Soldier Hollow Charter School Heber City, UT | 6.2 |
| South Kearns School Kearns, UT | 6.2 |
| Whitesides School Layton, UT | 6.2 |
| Wilson School Logan, UT | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Backman School
What grades does Backman School serve?
Backman School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Backman School?
Backman School has an enrollment of approximately 345 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Backman School?
The student-teacher ratio at Backman School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Backman School rank in UT?
Backman School ranks #547 of 1,015 schools in UT.
What is Backman School's MySchoolScout rating?
Backman School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Backman School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Backman School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Backman School a charter school?
No, Backman School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Backman School a Title I school?
No, Backman School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Backman School?
83.5% of students at Backman School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 345
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Salt Lake County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.2%
- Phone
- (801) 578-8100
Resources & Links
District
Salt Lake District- District Enrollment
- 19,477
- Schools in District
- 40
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,819
- District Rank
- #22 of 38
Other Schools in This District
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