Needs Improvement
#1007 of 1,015 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
2.9
Grades
7th – 9th
Enrollment
1,111
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
2.9
Grades
7th – 9th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Utah schools
#1,007 of 1,015
In Payson
#8 of 8
public schools
In district
#47 of 47
Nebo District
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Payson JR High
Middle School in Payson · grades 7th – 9th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Payson High
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wilson School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Payson JR High
Payson JR High is a public middle school in Payson, UT, part of Nebo District. Payson JR High serves approximately 1,111 students, and covers grades 7th-9th, and has a 22.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Payson JR High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,007 of 1,015 schools in UT.
Structured state assessment records for Payson JR High show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.8
- UT avg 5.8
What Parents Should Know
Payson JR High runs 22.2:1 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.
40% of students at Payson JR 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 · 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 29 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: 2.5/10.
How Payson JR High Compares
See how Payson JR High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 6.9/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Salem), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mt. Nebo Middle (rated 5.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Salem Junior High (rated 4.2/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Salem), which scores notably higher. 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 | 5.1 |
| Wilson School Payson | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Park View School Payson | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Mt. Nebo Middle Payson | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Spring Lake School Payson | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Taylor School Payson | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Barnett School Payson | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| American Preparatory Academy - Salem Salem | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| C.S. Lewis Academy Santaquin | 3.5 mi | 3.1 |
| Apple Valley School Santaquin | 3.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Mt. Loafer School Salem | 3.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Salem School Salem | 3.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Salem Hills High Salem | 3.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Salem Junior High Salem | 4.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Nebo Advanced Learning Center Springville | 4.3 mi | — |
| Nebo Online School Salem | 4.3 mi | — |
| Orchard Hills School Santaquin | 4.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Santaquin School Santaquin | 4.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Foothills School Salem | 4.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Valley View Middle Salem | 4.7 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 |
|---|---|
| Sand Ridge Jr High Roy, UT | 3.3 |
| Mapleton Junior High Mapleton, UT | 3.4 |
| Syracuse Jr High Syracuse, UT | 3.4 |
| Fossil Ridge Intermediate St. George, UT | 3.5 |
| Roy Jr High Roy, UT | 3.5 |
| Scott M Matheson Jr High Magna, UT | 3.5 |
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 ranks #1,007 of 1,015 schools in UT.
What is Payson JR High's MySchoolScout rating?
Payson JR High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 JR High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Payson JR High has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.7%
- Phone
- (801) 465-6015
Resources & Links
District
Nebo District- District Enrollment
- 44,446
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $8,911
- District Rank
- #47 of 47
Other Schools in This District
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