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Very Good

#193 of 1,014 schools in UT

Top 19% in state

Water Canyon High

High School · Washington District

880 N. Carling St. #520, Hildale, UT 84784

Enrollment

344

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

7.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hildale

#1 of 2

public schools

Utah high schools

#20 of 173

In district

#12 of 53

Washington District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Water Canyon High

Water Canyon High is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Hildale, Utah. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade, making it unique with its middle and high school programs under one roof. With an enrollment of 344 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1, Water Canyon High provides personalized attention to help each student succeed.

The academic performance at Water Canyon High shows room for improvement, as indicated by the MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and its state ranking of #425 out of 1018 schools in Utah (which places it around the 58th percentile). In terms of subject proficiency, 35% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 28% in Math, and 37% in Science. These scores suggest that while there is work to be done academically, the school remains committed to student development and growth.

Water Canyon High is situated in a rural setting, offering students a close-knit community environment. The school’s location fosters strong connections between staff, students, and families within Hildale, creating a supportive atmosphere for learning and personal development.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Water Canyon High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.5Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.3%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College Readiness6.9Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,179

Water Canyon High — Students at Water Canyon High score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.1%
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.

2019
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
34.3%
ELA
46.3%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Water Canyon High Compares

See how Water Canyon High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
81th percentile in UT
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

880 N. Carling St. #520, Hildale, UT 84784

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Water Canyon High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kanab High (rated 8.0/10, 24.4 miles away, in nearby Kanab), with a very similar rating. Another option is El Capitan Public School (rated 7.5/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Colorado City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Valley High (rated 6.5/10, 26.2 miles away, in nearby Orderville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hildale, see our Hildale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Water Canyon School Hildale 0.1 mi 5.7
Cottonwood Elementary Colorado City 0.9 mi 5.3
El Capitan Public School Colorado City 2.1 mi 7.5
CENTENNIAL ACADEMY Centennial Park 3.3 mi 5.8
Masada Charter School Colorado City 3.4 mi 7.5
Springdale School Springdale 12.8 mi 2.2
LaVerkin School Laverkin 21.5 mi 4.1
Hurricane Intermediate Hurricane 21.0 mi 6.6
Three Falls School Hurricane 21.4 mi 8.2
Hurricane High Hurricane 21.5 mi 5.0
SUNRISE ACADEMY La Verkin 22.1 mi 5.6
Hurricane Middle Hurricane 21.8 mi 5.4
Hurricane School Hurricane 22.3 mi 7.4
Valley Academy Hurricane 22.3 mi 8.0
Valley School Orderville 26.1 mi 8.8
Valley High Orderville 26.2 mi 6.5
Kanab Middle Kanab 24.3 mi 8.3
Kanab School Kanab 24.4 mi 5.6
Kanab High Kanab 24.4 mi 8.0
Kane Preschool Kanab 24.5 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 84784 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,727

Median Home Value

$385,900

Median Rent

$1,372/mo

Population

1,301

College Educated

15.7%

Homeownership

55.9%

Poverty Rate

28.6%

Median Age

26

Community Profile

The community surrounding Water Canyon High has a median household income of $62,727. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $385,900, with a median rent of $1,372/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Gunnison Valley High Gunnison, UT 7.8
Horizonte Instruction & Training Center Salt Lake City, UT 7.8
No. UT. Acad. of Math Engineering & Science Ogden Ogden, UT 7.7
Mountain High Kaysville, UT 7.9
Kanab High Kanab, UT 8.0
Milford High Milford, UT 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Water Canyon High

What grades does Water Canyon High serve?

Water Canyon High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Water Canyon High?

Water Canyon High has an enrollment of approximately 344 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Water Canyon High?

The student-teacher ratio at Water Canyon High is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Water Canyon High rank in UT?

Water Canyon High is ranked #193 out of 1,014 schools in UT.

What is Water Canyon High's MySchoolScout rating?

Water Canyon High has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Water Canyon High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Water Canyon High has 27.8% math proficiency and 35.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Water Canyon High a charter school?

No, Water Canyon High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Water Canyon High a Title I school?

No, Water Canyon High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Water Canyon High?

36.6% of students at Water Canyon 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,181/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
344
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
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
#12 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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