BACK TO SCHOOL

Back To School: New Schools Opening Across State To Keep Up With Growth

Aug 20, 2019, 6:14 AM | Updated: 6:34 am

LEHI, Utah – New schools are opening their doors across the state as certain school districts work to keep up with the demands of a growing student population.

According to the State Board of Education, there are 1,121 schools in Utah, and that’s 35 more than there were five years ago.

More than 15 new schools opened their doors this year.

“We’re feeling it. I feel like Lehi’s bursting at the seams,” said Becky Naisbitt, who is the parent of a new kindergartner. “We moved to the community knowing that there would be a school really close to where we were building our home.”

Naisbitt is among hundreds of parents getting a first look at a brand new school, one of many new buildings in Alpine School District. Others include Cedar Valley High, Polaris West High, Lake Mountain Middle and Centennial Elementary.

“We don’t normally open four or five schools in the same year,” ASD School Board President Scott Carlson said. “Growth is a major factor for the northern part of Utah County…With those new students we need new space.”

And Alpine district isn’t alone in attempting to keep up with more homes, families and students. Just north of Lehi, traffic backed up Monday morning as teenagers flooded the new Mountain Ridge high school in Herriman.

“In 2016 we went to the voters, saying we need more schools,” said Bryce Dunford, Jordan School District School Board President. “We’re growing at no less than 3% every single year.”

Dunford said that’s an increase of about 1,500 students in the JSD. “So our district grows at about the size of a high school every two years.”

For that reason, JSD opened five new schools this week, all under budget, according to Dunford, including one that was rebuilt. Mountain Point Elementary, Ridge View Elementary, Mountain Ridge High, Mountain Creek Middle and West Valley Middle school.

“We’re always looking for what’s next. What will be next,” Dunford said. “It comes with some unique growing pains.”

That means more classrooms, teachers, supplies, not to mention traffic on the roads in the mornings and afternoons. All of it just adds to the list of unending changes that bring in each new school year.

“It’s not over. We continue to grow,” Carlson said.

Other new schools opening up in the 2019-2020 school year include Shoreline Junior High in Davis District, Mountain Green Middle in Morgan District, Crimson Cliffs High and Washington Fields Intermediate in Washington District, and Silver Ride Elementary and Orchard Springs in Weber District.

KSL 5 TV Live

Back to School

Holly Duke teaches all-day kindergarten at West Kearns Elementary....

Deanie Wimmer

High stakes of kindergarten readiness; what Utah schools are doing to improve student performance

Ready for kindergarten used to mean a child turned five by the cutoff date. But as the stakes and expectations get higher, teachers are encountering some surprising behaviors.

6 months ago

This week KSL+ looks at what school districts describe as “chronic absenteeism” in Utah’s sch...

Braden McElreath and Michael Houck, KSL TV

8 Utah schools have been placed on lockdown since the start 2023-2024 school year

In just two and a half weeks, seven Utah schools have issued seven lockdown protocols. 

7 months ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Dan Rascon

Bingham High seniors petition due to school parking shortage

Some Bingham High School seniors in South Jordan, say a new parking policy for students is now preventing them from finding open stalls.

7 months ago

The outside of Ella Vista Elementary School. (KSL TV)...

Shelby Lofton

Bella Vista Elementary starts school year without air conditioning

Another Utah school is starting its school year without any AC.

7 months ago

McKinley Elementary School, Box Elder County School District. (KSL TV)...

Karah Brackin and Mary Culbertson, KSL TV

Box Elder School District among the last to head back to school; largely due to the County Fair

Box Elder School District heads back to school as one of the last districts to do so in the state. While they have unique factors to consider, students and administration are pumped for the new school year.

7 months ago

The Timekettle Translator earbuds that Herriman High School uses for their international students....

Karah Brackin and Michael Houck, KSL TV

New translation device helps international students in classes and studies

As Herriman High School continues to see the number of international students increasing, the school is turning to a game-changing device that is helping break down the language barrier.

7 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Back To School: New Schools Opening Across State To Keep Up With Growth