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SALT LAKE CITY -- KSL is unveiling a new resource that's taken us months to create, and we're sure will be a valuable new resource to Utah families. We're calling it the "KSL Schools" project.
With the help of professional researchers and a lot of work in our newsroom, we have compiled the most comprehensive data you can find anywhere to show you just how Utah high schools match up in just about any category you can name.
We examined data in dozens of categories for all 115 of Utah's public high schools--everything from test scores to how well schools do in various sports. Each school has its own page with data and video, so parents and students can see where their schools stack up.
It's not about rewarding top schools. It's about giving Utah families information about how schools measure up against each other, within their districts and across the whole state.
Our research turned up a lot of information you might find surprising; the best schools aren't always the biggest schools and the most academically successful schools aren't always the schools that win awards.
Best schools
Our KSL Schools research first identified who does the best at teaching all students the basics, so they meet statewide standards. At the top of the list, perhaps a surprise, little Altamont High, outside Duchesne. The principal attributes their success to daily dedicated reading time and providing incentives for 100 percent attendance.
We looked at specific subjects and found in science Altamont, once again, had the highest rate of students that met requirements.
In math, where students master the basics, is another small school: Piute High in the small town of Junction. These results surprised even our researcher. Independent Analyst Steve Harrison, of Bach Harrison, said, "There are places where they are taking the resources they have and providing a great education for these kids."
Davis High is the most proficient in Language Arts.
Davis is also a powerhouse in Advanced Placement tests. Student Ryan Gurr said, "I will have taken four classes."
Student Catherine Sandholtz said she was taking seven AP classes and eight AP tests.
One in three students take AP courses and 86 percent pass.
The school with the highest graduation rates, some small schools get 100-percent, but Lone Peak High in the Alpine district, graduated 99 percent of its 618 students last year. The State average is 88 percent.
When it comes to attracting scholarships for students, one school more than doubles every other, Park City High last year attracted $11 million in scholarships.
They have a full-time counselor who begins mentoring students in 8th grade. Full-time scholarship counselor Dana Ardovino said, "There are scholarships for everybody. Doesn't matter how old you are, doesn't matter how poor you, are doesn't matter how smart you are, there are scholarships for everybody."
We designed a formula to rank Utah's top high schools in academics. We'll show you the list, Monday night on Eyewitness News at 10.
E-mail: dwimmer@ksl.com
