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Below Average

#828 of 1,015 schools in UT

Cottonwood High

High School · Granite District

5715 S 1300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84121

Enrollment

1,495

Student-Teacher

23:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Utah schools

#828 of 1,015

In Salt Lake City

#74 of 89

public schools

In district

#49 of 84

Granite District

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Cottonwood High

4.8/10

High School in Salt Lake City · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Academy for Math Engineering & Science

8.5/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Woodstock School

7.5/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cottonwood High

Cottonwood High is a public high school in Salt Lake City, UT, part of Granite District. Cottonwood High serves approximately 1,495 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 23:1 student-teacher ratio. Cottonwood High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #828 of 1,015 schools in UT.

Structured state assessment records for Cottonwood High show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • UT avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Cottonwood High runs 23:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

38% of students at Cottonwood High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.96 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.3% (2025 RISE)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.8% (2025 RISE)
Overall Proficiency20% (2025 RISE, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2025 RISE)
vs. Expected-11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness6.5Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%
AP Participation30.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,000
Chronic Absenteeism38.4%

Cottonwood High — Students at Cottonwood High score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 30.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 29 test records from UT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
29%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
42%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
48%
ELA
69%
2013
Math
56%
ELA
23%
2014
Math
23%
ELA
34%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
28%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
31%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
18%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
34%
2025
Math
11.3%
ELA
28.8%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Cottonwood High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
19th percentile in UT
Academic
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.3
Sports
7
3 boys' · 4 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
30.9% participation·State avg: 2.3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics7sports offered
3 boys'·4 girls'·56 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5715 S 1300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84121

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cottonwood High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Academy for Math Engineering & Science (rated 8.5/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hillcrest High (rated 7.3/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Midvale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LA EUROPA ACADEMY (rated 6.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salt Lake City, see our Salt Lake City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Academy for Math Engineering & Science Salt Lake City 0.0 mi 8.5
Woodstock School Salt Lake City 0.4 mi 7.5
LA EUROPA ACADEMY Salt Lake City 0.5 mi 6.3
LA EUROPA ACADEMY Murray 0.5 mi 6.2
Bonneville Jr High Salt Lake City 0.7 mi 4.5
ST VINCENT DE PAUL PARISH SCHOOL Salt Lake City 1.0 mi 5.6
Oakwood School Salt Lake City 1.0 mi 6.6
Wasatch Waldorf Charter School Holladay 1.4 mi 7.0
ST SOPHIA HELLENIC ORTHODOX SCHOOL Salt Lake City 1.1 mi
Longview School Murray 1.3 mi 6.0
Parkside School Murray 1.5 mi 4.7
Mcmillan School Murray 1.5 mi 8.5
Ridgecrest School Cottonwood Heights 2.0 mi 8.7
MOUNT VERNON ACADEMY Murray 1.6 mi 6.3
Bella Vista School Salt Lake City 1.9 mi 7.0
Hillcrest High Midvale 2.1 mi 7.3
Olympus Jr High Salt Lake City 1.9 mi 6.9
Jordan Valley School Midvale 2.2 mi 3.3
Hillcrest Jr High Murray 1.8 mi 4.8
East Midvale School Midvale 2.1 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 84121 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$114,912

Median Home Value

$614,500

Median Rent

$1,732/mo

Population

39,204

College Educated

52.3%

Homeownership

74.3%

Avg Commute

21.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

40.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Union High Roosevelt, UT 4.9
Lehi High Lehi, UT 5.0
Mountain View High Orem, UT 4.5
Northridge High Layton, UT 5.1
Payson High Payson, UT 5.1
Pleasant Grove High Pleasant Grove, UT 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cottonwood High

What grades does Cottonwood High serve?

Cottonwood High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Cottonwood High?

Cottonwood High has an enrollment of approximately 1,495 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood High?

The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood High is 23:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cottonwood High rank in UT?

Cottonwood High ranks #828 of 1,015 schools in UT.

What is Cottonwood High's MySchoolScout rating?

Cottonwood High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Cottonwood High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cottonwood High has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cottonwood High a charter school?

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

Is Cottonwood High a Title I school?

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

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

52.8% of students at Cottonwood 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
34 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,495
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
Teachers (FTE)
65
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Salt Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.4%
4-Year Graduation
80.0%

District

Granite District
District Enrollment
60,270
Schools in District
86
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,000
District Rank
#49 of 84

How we rate schools

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