Below Average
#940 of 1,014 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
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salt Lake City
#78 of 85
public schools
Utah elementary schools
#556 of 600
In district
#34 of 38
Salt Lake District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Backman School
Backman School serves 345 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Salt Lake City, providing a solid elementary education with a favorable 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school maintains an intimate learning environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #66 out of 1018 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 94th percentile among Utah schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. MySchoolScout rates Backman School at 7.5 out of 10, indicating above-average performance compared to other elementary schools. Backman School draws families from the 84116 zip code area, where the median household income is $67,968 and median home values reach $307,800.
The surrounding community shows a mix of educational backgrounds, with 25% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. About 16% of the neighborhood experiences poverty, creating a diverse socioeconomic environment that enriches the school community. Located at 601 N 1500 W, Backman School sits in Salt Lake City's urban landscape, offering families convenient access to city amenities while maintaining the focused, community-centered atmosphere that makes neighborhood elementary schools special.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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 7 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: 2.1/10.
How Backman School Compares
See how Backman School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 12.62% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 12.92% (2025).
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. Dual Immersion Academy (rated 7.6/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington School (rated 7.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edison School (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 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 | 6.8 |
| Pacific Heritage Academy Salt Lake City | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Meadowlark School Salt Lake City | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Salt Lake Center for Science Education Salt Lake City | 0.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Rose Park School Salt Lake City | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Newman School Salt Lake City | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Guadalupe School Salt Lake City | 1.2 mi | 3.0 |
| Salt Lake Head Start Salt Lake City | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Edison School Salt Lake City | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Franklin School Salt Lake City | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Mary W. Jackson School Salt Lake City | 1.2 mi | 3.6 |
| North Star School Salt Lake City | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Northwest Middle Salt Lake City | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Parkview School Salt Lake City | 2.4 mi | 4.5 |
| West High Salt Lake City | 1.8 mi | 9.5 |
| Wallace Stegner Academy Salt Lake City | 2.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Dual Immersion Academy Salt Lake City | 2.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Washington School Salt Lake City | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Glendale Middle Salt Lake City | 3.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Mountain View School Salt Lake City | 3.1 mi | 6.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Backman School has a median household income of $69,604. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $334,900, with a median rent of $1,280/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| LaVerkin School Laverkin, UT | 4.1 |
| Meadowbrook School Bountiful, UT | 4.1 |
| Sunset School Sunset, UT | 4.1 |
| Arcadia School Taylorsville, UT | 4.2 |
| Crestview School Layton, UT | 4.2 |
| Franklin School Salt Lake City, UT | 4.2 |
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 is ranked #940 out of 1,014 schools in UT.
What is Backman School's MySchoolScout rating?
Backman School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Backman School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Backman School has 18.5% math proficiency and 21.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (6,086/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salt Lake City). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (801) 578-8100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Salt Lake District- District Enrollment
- 19,477
- Schools in District
- 40
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,819
- District Rank
- #34 of 38
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.