Below Average
#929 of 1,014 schools in UT
Payson JR High
Middle School · Nebo District
1025 S HIGHWAY 198, Payson, UT 84651
Enrollment
1,111
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
4.2
Grades
7th – 9th
Enrollment
1,111
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
4.2
Grades
7th – 9th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Payson
#8 of 8
public schools
Utah middle schools
#135 of 143
In district
#43 of 47
Nebo District
About Payson JR High
Payson Jr High serves 1,111 students in grades 7 through 9 as a regular public middle school in Payson, Utah. With 50 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.2 to 1, providing educational services for junior high students in this Utah County community. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #576 among Utah's 1,018 schools, placing it in the 44th percentile statewide.
This positioning indicates the school has opportunities for academic growth as it works to better serve its student population. Payson Jr High draws from a community where families enjoy relative economic stability, with a median household income of $90,774 and a low poverty rate of 5.2%. The surrounding ZIP code area of 84651 has a population of 28,593, with 28% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
Median home values in the area reach $372,100, reflecting the community's solid economic foundation. The school is situated in Payson, a town located on the fringe of an urban area, offering students access to both small-town community feel and proximity to larger metropolitan resources and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Payson JR High is 22.2:1, 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Payson JR High — Students at Payson JR High score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.6/10.
How Payson JR High Compares
See how Payson JR High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 19.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 29.01% (2025).
Location
1025 S HIGHWAY 198, Payson, UT 84651
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Payson JR High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Valley View Middle (rated 7.1/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Salem), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mt. Nebo Middle (rated 5.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Salem Junior High (rated 4.0/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Salem), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Payson, see our Payson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Payson High Payson | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Wilson School Payson | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Park View School Payson | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Mt. Nebo Middle Payson | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Spring Lake School Payson | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Taylor School Payson | 1.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Barnett School Payson | 1.5 mi | 7.9 |
| American Preparatory Academy - Salem Salem | 2.5 mi | 7.8 |
| C.S. Lewis Academy Santaquin | 3.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Apple Valley School Santaquin | 3.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Mt. Loafer School Salem | 3.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Salem School Salem | 3.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Salem Hills High Salem | 3.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Salem Junior High Salem | 4.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Nebo Advanced Learning Center Springville | 4.3 mi | — |
| Nebo Online School Salem | 4.3 mi | — |
| Orchard Hills School Santaquin | 4.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Santaquin School Santaquin | 4.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Foothills School Salem | 4.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Valley View Middle Salem | 4.7 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 JR 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 |
|---|---|
| North Layton Jr High Layton, UT | 4.2 |
| Scott M Matheson Jr High Magna, UT | 4.1 |
| Bennion Jr High Taylorsville, UT | 4.4 |
| Legacy Jr High Layton, UT | 4.0 |
| Mapleton Junior High Mapleton, UT | 4.0 |
| Salem Junior High Salem, UT | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Payson JR High
What grades does Payson JR High serve?
Payson JR High serves students in grades 7th through 9th.
How many students attend Payson JR High?
Payson JR High has an enrollment of approximately 1,111 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Payson JR High?
The student-teacher ratio at Payson JR High is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Payson JR High rank in UT?
Payson JR High is ranked #929 out of 1,014 schools in UT.
What is Payson JR High's MySchoolScout rating?
Payson JR High has a composite rating of 4.2 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 JR High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Payson JR High has 24.8% math proficiency and 29.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Payson JR High a charter school?
No, Payson JR High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Payson JR High a Title I school?
No, Payson JR High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Payson JR High?
29.6% of students at Payson JR 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
- Walk Score
- 45 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 25 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 47 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (830/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Payson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 9th
- Enrollment
- 1,111
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Utah County
- Phone
- (801) 465-6015
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nebo District- District Enrollment
- 44,446
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $8,911
- District Rank
- #43 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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