Best public high schools in Utah
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a ’96 commencement address at Wellesley College, “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” If that’s the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It’s a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, public education is key: 49.4 million students enrolled in public pre-K-12 schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those, about a third were in high school, enrolled across about 23,500 public secondary schools nationwide.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these public high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to get into better school districts. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the 30 best public high schools in Utah using 2023 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students. School districts are provided when available; otherwise, the city is listed instead.
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#30. Desert Hills High School
– Location: Washington County School District, UT
– Enrollment: 1,082 (26:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#29. Springville High School
– Location: Nebo School District, UT
– Enrollment: 1,575 (21:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#28. Hillcrest High School
– Location: Canyons School District, UT
– Enrollment: 2,192 (25:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#27. Timpview High School
– Location: Provo City School District, UT
– Enrollment: 2,403 (24:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#26. Crimson Cliffs High School
– Location: Washington County School District, UT
– Enrollment: 1,241 (26:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
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#25. Bountiful High School
– Location: Davis School District, UT
– Enrollment: 1,408 (25:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#24. Skyridge High School
– Location: Alpine School District, UT
– Enrollment: 2,364 (26:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#23. Farmington High
– Location: Davis School District, UT
– Enrollment: 2,043 (29:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#22. American Preparatory Academy – Draper #3
– Location: American Preparatory Academy–Lea, UT
– Enrollment: 738 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#21. Green Canyon High School
– Location: Cache County School District, UT
– Enrollment: 1,676 (26:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
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#20. Olympus High School
– Location: Granite School District, UT
– Enrollment: 2,121 (25:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#19. Weber Innovation High School
– Location: Weber School District, UT
– Enrollment: 281 (28:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#18. Viewmont High School
– Location: Davis School District, UT
– Enrollment: 1,481 (27:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#17. Lone Peak High School
– Location: Alpine School District, UT
– Enrollment: 2,457 (27:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-
#16. Davis High School
– Location: Davis School District, UT
– Enrollment: 2,119 (26:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
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#15. UT SUCCESS Academy
– Location: Success Academy, UT
– Enrollment: 303 (76:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
#14. Beehive Science & Technology Academy
– Location: Sandy, UT
– Enrollment: 293 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
#13. Timpanogos High School
– Location: Alpine School District, UT
– Enrollment: 1,308 (24:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
#12. Park City High School
– Location: Park City School District, UT
– Enrollment: 1,243 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
#11. SUU SUCCESS Academy
– Location: Success Academy, UT
– Enrollment: 206 (29:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
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#10. West High School
– Location: Salt Lake School District, UT
– Enrollment: 2,658 (22:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
#9. Corner Canyon High School
– Location: Canyons School District, UT
– Enrollment: 2,399 (26:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
#8. Academy for Math, Engineering & Science (AMES)
– Location: Salt Lake City, UT
– Enrollment: 472 (21:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
#7. Skyline High School
– Location: Granite School District, UT
– Enrollment: 2,156 (25:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
#6. No. Ut. Academy of Math Engineering & Science Ogden
– Location: Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering & Science (Nuames), UT
– Enrollment: 450 (23:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
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#5. InTech Collegiate Academy
– Location: North Logan, UT
– Enrollment: 218 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A
#4. No. Ut. Academy for Math Engineering & Science
– Location: Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering & Science (Nuames), UT
– Enrollment: 721 (23:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#3. Itineris Early College High School
– Location: West Jordan, UT
– Enrollment: 390 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy
– Location: Lindon, UT
– Enrollment: 628 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. Utah County Academy of Sciences (UCAS)
– Location: Orem, UT
– Enrollment: 556 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
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By Stacker
It’s great to see Utah’s top public high schools getting recognition for their college prep! They not only have impressive A ratings but also offer awesome extracurriculars and AP programs. Visiting these schools can really help families grasp the unique opportunities for their kids’ growth. Definitely worth checking out!
Have you checked out Springville, Hillcrest, or Timpview? They’re great for college prep! Also, Cottonwood offers awesome AP courses. Bountiful High’s extracurriculars really boost college applications too!
I’ve heard great things about Springville, Hillcrest, and Timpview. They really stand out for their college prep programs and overall student success. Every student’s future is bright with the right support!
I couldn’tagree more! I remember my friend thriving at Hillcrest, and it’s great to see schools like these offering robust AP classes and college counseling. They truly set students up for success!
I’ve definitely heard some great things about Springville, Hillcrest, and Timpview! It’s like a college prep buffet, and I think Hillcrest really takes the cake for its programs!