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Very Good

#350 of 1,015 schools in UT

Top 34% in state

Discovery School

Elementary School · Uintah District

650 W 1200 S, Vernal, UT 84078

Enrollment

675

Student-Teacher

24.1:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Utah schools

#350 of 1,015

In Vernal

#3 of 12

public schools

In district

#2 of 13

Uintah District

Academic performance

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Discovery School

7.1/10

Elementary School in Vernal · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Vernal Middle

5.1/10

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

Uintah Specialized Preschool

3.6/10

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

About Discovery School

Discovery School is a public elementary school in Vernal, UT, part of Uintah District. Discovery School serves approximately 675 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 24.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Discovery School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #350 of 1,015 schools in UT.

Structured state assessment records for Discovery School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts above district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.2
  • UT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Discovery School runs 24.1:1 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.

36% of students at Discovery 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 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.9% (2025 RISE)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.2% (2025 RISE)
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 RISE, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 RISE)
vs. Expected+16.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,207
Chronic Absenteeism36.3%

Discovery School — Students at Discovery School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.6% (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
79%
ELA
76%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
91%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
44%
ELA
34%
2014
Math
51%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
56%
ELA
44%
2016
Math
50%
ELA
41%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
53%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
41%
2025
Math
61.9%
ELA
51.2%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Discovery School Compares

See how Discovery School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
66th percentile in UT
Academic
9.1/10
Excellent
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.3%

Programs & Offerings

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

650 W 1200 S, Vernal, UT 84078

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Discovery School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Centennial School (rated 8.0/10, 25.6 miles away, in nearby Roosevelt), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Maeser School (rated 7.5/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kings Peak School (rated 6.8/10, 25.7 miles away, in nearby Roosevelt), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Vernal, see our Vernal schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Vernal Middle Vernal 1.0 mi 5.1
Uintah Specialized Preschool Vernal 1.2 mi 3.6
Uintah Middle School Vernal 1.4 mi 6.0
Ashley School Vernal 1.6 mi 4.1
UINTAH BASIN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Vernal 1.4 mi 5.2
Terra Academy Vernal 1.6 mi 7.6
Uintah Online School Vernal 2.1 mi 2.0
Ashley Valley Educ. Ctr. Vernal 2.1 mi 5.4
Uintah High Vernal 2.2 mi 6.6
Naples School Vernal 2.5 mi 5.1
Maeser School Vernal 3.1 mi 7.5
Davis School Vernal 4.3 mi 6.2
Lapoint School Lapoint 13.8 mi 6.4
Uintah River High Fort Duchesne 20.1 mi 7.4
Eagle View School Roosevelt 20.8 mi 3.5
Basin Online School Roosevelt 24.8 mi 6.1
Union High Roosevelt 25.0 mi 4.9
East School Roosevelt 24.9 mi 4.7
Centennial School Roosevelt 25.6 mi 8.0
Kings Peak School Roosevelt 25.7 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 84078 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,230

Median Home Value

$279,000

Median Rent

$907/mo

Population

30,669

College Educated

18.2%

Homeownership

69.9%

Avg Commute

19.7 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

32

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Century School Bear River City, UT 7.1
Monroe School Monroe, UT 7.1
Monte Vista School South Jordan, UT 7.1
Pahvant School Richfield, UT 7.1
Three Falls School Hurricane, UT 7.1
Bluffdale School Bluffdale, UT 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Discovery School

What grades does Discovery School serve?

Discovery School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Discovery School?

Discovery School has an enrollment of approximately 675 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery School?

The student-teacher ratio at Discovery School is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Discovery School rank in UT?

Discovery School ranks #350 of 1,015 schools in UT.

What is Discovery School's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Discovery School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Discovery School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Discovery School a charter school?

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

Is Discovery School a Title I school?

No, Discovery School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Discovery School?

36.3% of students at Discovery 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
675
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Uintah County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.3%

District

Uintah District
District Enrollment
6,942
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,207
District Rank
#2 of 13

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