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Average

#753 of 1,014 schools in UT

Payson High

High School · Nebo District

1050 S MAIN, Payson, UT 84651

Enrollment

1,601

Student-Teacher

23.5:1

Score

5.3

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Payson

#7 of 8

public schools

Utah high schools

#124 of 173

In district

#34 of 47

Nebo District

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Payson High

Payson High serves 1,601 students in grades 6 through 12 in Payson, Utah, operating as a comprehensive public school with 68 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 23.5:1. With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranking 745th out of 1,018 Utah schools, the school has significant room for academic growth as it works to better serve its large student body. The school draws from a stable community where families enjoy a median household income of $90,774 and the poverty rate remains low at just 5.2%.

The surrounding ZIP code of 84651 is home to 28,593 residents, with 28% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and median home values reaching $372,100, indicating a solidly middle-class area. As one of the larger secondary schools in the region, Payson High faces the challenge of providing personalized attention within its substantial enrollment while working to improve academic outcomes for its diverse student population. The school's comprehensive grade structure, spanning both middle and high school years, allows for continuity in student education and teacher relationships.

Payson High is situated in a town on the fringe of an urban area, offering students access to both small-town community values and broader metropolitan opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Payson High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Payson High is 23.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.3%
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,868

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 17.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 7 test records from UT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
20%
ELA
41%
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: 8.5/10.

How Payson High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in UT
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers

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 8.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Park View School (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Barnett School (rated 7.9/10, 1.5 miles away), 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 4.2
Park View School Payson 0.7 mi 8.2
Wilson School Payson 0.7 mi 6.1
Spring Lake School Payson 0.9 mi 5.7
Mt. Nebo Middle Payson 0.9 mi 5.7
Taylor School Payson 1.1 mi 8.6
Barnett School Payson 1.5 mi 7.9
American Preparatory Academy - Salem Salem 2.3 mi 7.8
C.S. Lewis Academy Santaquin 3.6 mi 6.2
Mt. Loafer School Salem 3.0 mi 4.8
Salem School Salem 3.5 mi 4.8
Apple Valley School Santaquin 3.8 mi 6.3
Salem Hills High Salem 3.6 mi 5.3
Salem Junior High Salem 4.1 mi 4.0
Nebo Advanced Learning Center Springville 4.1 mi
Nebo Online School Salem 4.1 mi
Foothills School Salem 4.2 mi 6.8
Orchard Hills School Santaquin 5.0 mi 6.5
Santaquin School Santaquin 4.9 mi 7.4
Valley View Middle Salem 4.5 mi 7.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Payson High has a median household income of $94,152. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $423,200, with a median rent of $1,398/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Salem Hills High Salem, UT 5.3
Dixie High St. George, UT 5.4
Roy High Roy, UT 5.4
Bonneville High Ogden, UT 5.1
Canyon View High Cedar City, UT 5.5
Farmington High Farmington, UT 5.5

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 is ranked #753 out of 1,014 schools in UT.

What is Payson High's MySchoolScout rating?

Payson High has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Payson High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Payson High has 17.3% math proficiency and 41.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
51 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (830/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Payson). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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