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Needs Improvement

#952 of 1,015 schools in UT

North Star School

Elementary School · Salt Lake District

1545 N MORTON DR, Salt Lake City, UT 84116

Enrollment

385

Student-Teacher

18.3:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Utah schools

#952 of 1,015

In Salt Lake City

#84 of 89

public schools

In district

#36 of 38

Salt Lake District

School environment

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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North Star School

3.8/10

Elementary School in Salt Lake City · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northwest Middle

4.6/10

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

Pacific Heritage Academy

7.1/10

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

About North Star School

North Star School is a public elementary school in Salt Lake City, UT, part of Salt Lake District. North Star School serves approximately 385 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio. North Star School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #952 of 1,015 schools in UT.

Structured state assessment records for North Star School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.0 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.8
  • UT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

53% of students at North Star 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 Progress1.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.5% (2025 RISE)
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.8% (2025 RISE)
Overall Proficiency18% (2025 RISE, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)17% (model expectation from 2025 RISE)
vs. Expected+0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,819
Chronic Absenteeism52.7%

North Star School — Students at North Star School score 18% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.4% (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
72%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
73%
2013
Math
31%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
33%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
34%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
23%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
23%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
13%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
13%
2025
Math
16.5%
ELA
18.8%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How North Star School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
6th percentile in UT
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.7%

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

1545 N MORTON DR, Salt Lake City, UT 84116

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Star School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wallace Stegner Academy (rated 7.6/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington School (rated 7.6/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pacific Heritage Academy (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salt Lake City, see our Salt Lake City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Northwest Middle Salt Lake City 0.4 mi 4.6
Pacific Heritage Academy Salt Lake City 0.8 mi 7.1
Escalante School Salt Lake City 1.0 mi 4.8
Newman School Salt Lake City 0.9 mi 4.3
Salt Lake Center for Science Education Salt Lake City 1.0 mi 6.9
Guadalupe School Salt Lake City 1.1 mi 2.2
Meadowlark School Salt Lake City 1.6 mi 5.7
Backman School Salt Lake City 1.6 mi 6.2
Salt Lake Head Start Salt Lake City 1.5 mi 5.4
Rose Park School Salt Lake City 1.6 mi 5.3
Edison School Salt Lake City 3.1 mi 5.5
Mary W. Jackson School Salt Lake City 2.7 mi 3.8
Franklin School Salt Lake City 3.1 mi 5.1
Wasatch Peak Academy North Salt Lake 3.3 mi 6.2
Foxboro School North Salt Lake 3.5 mi 5.2
Spectrum Academy - NSL North Salt Lake 3.5 mi 5.9
West High Salt Lake City 3.2 mi 8.9
Wallace Stegner Academy Salt Lake City 3.8 mi 7.6
Orchard School North Salt Lake 3.5 mi 6.3
Washington School Salt Lake City 3.2 mi 7.6

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
Mary W. Jackson School Salt Lake City, UT 3.8
Thomas W. Bacchus School Kearns, UT 3.8
Academy Park School West Valley City, UT 3.7
Taylorsville School Salt Lake City, UT 3.7
Westmore School Orem, UT 3.7
Brookside School Springville, UT 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Star School

What grades does North Star School serve?

North Star School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend North Star School?

North Star School has an enrollment of approximately 385 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Star School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Star School is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Star School rank in UT?

North Star School ranks #952 of 1,015 schools in UT.

What is North Star School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Star School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 North Star School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, North Star School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is North Star School a charter school?

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

Is North Star School a Title I school?

No, North Star School is not currently a Title I school.

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

82.3% of students at North Star 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
10 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
385
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Salt Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.7%

District

Salt Lake District
District Enrollment
19,477
Schools in District
40
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,819
District Rank
#36 of 38

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