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Average

#777 of 1,015 schools in UT

Payson High

High School · Nebo District

1050 S MAIN, Payson, UT 84651

Enrollment

1,601

Student-Teacher

23.5:1

Score

5.1

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Utah schools

#777 of 1,015

In Payson

#6 of 8

public schools

In district

#35 of 47

Nebo District

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Payson High

5.1/10

High School in Payson · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Payson JR High

2.9/10

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

Park View School

6.6/10

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

About Payson High

Payson High is a public high school in Payson, UT, part of Nebo District. Payson High serves approximately 1,601 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 23.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Payson High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #777 of 1,015 schools in UT.

Structured state assessment records for Payson High show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • UT avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Payson High runs 23.5:1 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.

33% of students at Payson 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 Progress5.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.92 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.9% (2025 RISE)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.3% (2025 RISE)
Overall Proficiency33% (2025 RISE, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 RISE)
vs. Expected-12.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness6.9Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate94%
AP Participation15.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,911
Chronic Absenteeism32.8%

Payson High — Students at Payson High score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.5% (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
45%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
86%
2013
Math
54%
ELA
28%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
26%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
31%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
35%
2025
Math
16.9%
ELA
49.3%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Payson High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
24th percentile in UT
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.3
Sports
23
11 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
15.2% participation·State avg: 2.3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
11 boys'·12 girls'·37 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

1050 S MAIN, Payson, UT 84651

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Payson High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Taylor School (rated 7.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is American Preparatory Academy - Salem (rated 7.0/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Salem), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Apple Valley School (rated 6.9/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Santaquin), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Payson, see our Payson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Payson Jr High Payson 0.2 mi 2.9
Park View School Payson 0.7 mi 6.6
Wilson School Payson 0.7 mi 5.4
Spring Lake School Payson 0.9 mi 5.8
Mt. Nebo Middle Payson 0.9 mi 5.9
Taylor School Payson 1.1 mi 7.3
Barnett School Payson 1.5 mi 5.0
American Preparatory Academy - Salem Salem 2.3 mi 7.0
C.S. Lewis Academy Santaquin 3.6 mi 3.1
Mt. Loafer School Salem 3.0 mi 3.9
Salem School Salem 3.5 mi 4.5
Apple Valley School Santaquin 3.8 mi 6.9
Salem Hills High Salem 3.6 mi 6.1
Salem Junior High Salem 4.1 mi 4.2
Nebo Advanced Learning Center Springville 4.1 mi
Nebo Online School Salem 4.1 mi
Foothills School Salem 4.2 mi 6.5
Orchard Hills School Santaquin 5.0 mi 4.0
Santaquin School Santaquin 4.9 mi 5.8
Valley View Middle Salem 4.5 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 84651 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,152

Median Home Value

$423,200

Median Rent

$1,398/mo

Population

29,502

College Educated

29.3%

Homeownership

85.5%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.5%

Median Age

29.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Northridge High Layton, UT 5.1
Pleasant Grove High Pleasant Grove, UT 5.1
Tooele High Tooele, UT 5.1
Lehi High Lehi, UT 5.0
Orem High Orem, UT 5.2
Spanish Fork High Spanish Fork, UT 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Payson High

What grades does Payson High serve?

Payson High serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Payson High?

Payson High has an enrollment of approximately 1,601 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Payson High?

The student-teacher ratio at Payson High is 23.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Payson High rank in UT?

Payson High ranks #777 of 1,015 schools in UT.

What is Payson High's MySchoolScout rating?

Payson High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Payson High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Payson High has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Payson High a charter school?

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

Is Payson High a Title I school?

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

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

25.3% of students at Payson 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
44 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
1,601
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Utah County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.8%
4-Year Graduation
94.0%

District

Nebo District
District Enrollment
44,446
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,911
District Rank
#35 of 47

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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