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Excellent

#16 of 1,015 schools in UT

Top 2% 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

9.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Utah schools

#16 of 1,015

In St. George

#1 of 34

public schools

In district

#1 of 53

Washington District

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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South Mesa Elementary

9.2/10

Elementary School in St. George · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

George Washington Academy

6.6/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Crimson Cliffs High

8.2/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About South Mesa Elementary

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

South Mesa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #16 of 1,015 schools in UT. Structured state assessment records for South Mesa Elementary show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

How it compares2.7 pts above district
  • This school 9.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.5
  • UT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

South Mesa Elementary runs 22.8:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress10.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.4 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.2% (2025 RISE)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.9% (2025 RISE)
Overall Proficiency67% (2025 RISE, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2025 RISE)
vs. Expected+14.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,106
Chronic Absenteeism16.2%

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 64.4% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.0% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2020*
Math
61%
ELA
51%
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: 10.0/10.

How South Mesa Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
9.2/10
99th percentile in UT
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
10.0/10
Excellent
Environment
6.5/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

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. Crimson View School (rated 9.1/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Horizon School (rated 8.4/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Washington), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Majestic Fields School (rated 8.0/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Washington), 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 6.6
Crimson Cliffs High Washington 1.0 mi 8.2
Crimson Cliffs Middle Washington 1.1 mi 6.7
Sunrise Ridge Intermediate St. George 1.1 mi 6.5
Crimson View School St. George 1.4 mi 9.1
Little Valley School St. George 1.2 mi 7.2
Washington Fields Intermediate Washington 2.2 mi 8.1
St. George Academy Washington 2.2 mi 7.2
Majestic Fields School Washington 2.4 mi 8.0
Riverside School Washington 2.7 mi 7.9
Millcreek High St. George 3.2 mi 8.0
Washington Preschool St. George 2.7 mi 4.0
Southern Utah School of the Deaf St. George 2.7 mi
Bloomington Hills School St. George 2.7 mi 6.8
Desert Hills Middle St. George 2.8 mi 5.7
Fossil Ridge Intermediate St. George 3.3 mi 3.5
Horizon School Washington 3.5 mi 8.4
Desert Hills High St. George 3.0 mi 7.3
Desert Canyons Elementary St. George 3.9 mi 7.2
Pine View Middle St. George 3.9 mi 5.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Peruvian Park School Sandy, UT 9.2
Canyon View School Salt Lake City, UT 9.1
Crimson View School St. George, UT 9.1
Edith Bowen Laboratory School Logan, UT 9.1
Kay's Creek Elementary Kaysville, UT 9.1
Midway School Midway, UT 9.1

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 ranks #16 of 1,015 schools in UT.

What is South Mesa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

South Mesa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 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 South Mesa Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Mesa Elementary has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

District

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

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