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
Enrollment
1,601
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Payson High — Students at Payson High score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)
Based on 7 test records from UT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 16.87% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 49.31% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (801) 465-6025
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nebo District- District Enrollment
- 44,446
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $8,911
- District Rank
- #34 of 47
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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