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Excellent

#51 of 1,014 schools in UT

Top 5% in state

South Mesa Elementary

Elementary School · Washington District

2969 S 3300 East, St. George, UT 84790

Enrollment

593

Student-Teacher

22.8:1

Score

8.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In St. George

#1 of 11

public schools

Utah elementary schools

#41 of 600

In district

#1 of 53

Washington District

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About South Mesa Elementary

South Mesa Elementary is a public elementary school in St. George, UT, part of the Washington District. The school serves approximately 593 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 22.8:1.

It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 95.1th percentile among UT schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 66% proficiency in math and 57% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10).

Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $85,720, where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a midsize city setting.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at South Mesa Elementary is 22.8:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.76 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.9%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+14.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,179

South Mesa Elementary — Students at South Mesa Elementary score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

12%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.1%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.9%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from UT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2021*
Math
61%
ELA
51%
2025
Math
71.2%
ELA
62.9%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How South Mesa Elementary Compares

See how South Mesa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.7/10
95th percentile in UT
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

2969 S 3300 East, St. George, UT 84790

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Mesa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Riverside School (rated 8.1/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Washington), with a comparable rating. Another option is Horizon School (rated 7.9/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Washington), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Bloomington Hills School (rated 7.4/10, 2.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in St. George, see our St. George schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
George Washington Academy St. George 0.9 mi 5.7
Crimson Cliffs High Washington 1.0 mi 6.4
Crimson Cliffs Middle Washington 1.1 mi 7.5
Sunrise Ridge Intermediate St. George 1.1 mi 7.5
Crimson View School St. George 1.4 mi 6.3
Little Valley School St. George 1.2 mi 6.5
Washington Fields Intermediate Washington 2.2 mi 7.9
St. George Academy Washington 2.2 mi 6.8
Majestic Fields School Washington 2.4 mi 6.0
Riverside School Washington 2.7 mi 8.1
Millcreek High St. George 3.2 mi 6.8
Washington Preschool St. George 2.7 mi 5.6
Southern Utah School of the Deaf St. George 2.7 mi
Bloomington Hills School St. George 2.7 mi 7.4
Desert Hills Middle St. George 2.8 mi 7.1
Fossil Ridge Intermediate St. George 3.3 mi 3.6
Horizon School Washington 3.5 mi 7.9
Desert Hills High St. George 3.0 mi 5.8
Desert Canyons Elementary St. George 3.9 mi 6.8
Pine View Middle St. George 3.9 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 84790 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,720

Median Home Value

$500,900

Median Rent

$1,598/mo

Population

54,353

College Educated

38.3%

Homeownership

74.3%

Avg Commute

17.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Mesa Elementary has a median household income of $85,720. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $500,900, with a median rent of $1,598/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Channing Hall Draper, UT 8.7
Davis School Vernal, UT 8.7
East Meadows School Spanish Fork, UT 8.7
Rocky Mountain School Lindon, UT 8.7
Summit Academy - Bluffdale Bluffdale, UT 8.7
Thomas Edison - South Nibley, UT 8.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Mesa Elementary

What grades does South Mesa Elementary serve?

South Mesa Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend South Mesa Elementary?

South Mesa Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 593 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Mesa Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at South Mesa Elementary is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Mesa Elementary rank in UT?

South Mesa Elementary is ranked #51 out of 1,014 schools in UT.

What is South Mesa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

South Mesa Elementary has a composite rating of 8.7 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 South Mesa Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Mesa Elementary has 66.1% math proficiency and 56.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Mesa Elementary a charter school?

No, South Mesa Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Mesa Elementary a Title I school?

No, South Mesa Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Mesa Elementary?

12.0% of students at South Mesa Elementary 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
4 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,215/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
593
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
12.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Washington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Washington District
District Enrollment
37,575
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,106
District Rank
#1 of 53

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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