The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in Science. The lowest is 72% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Foothill School
Foothill School is an elementary school in Orem serving pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and part of Alpine District. It is a traditional public school, not a charter or magnet school. The student body is predominantly white, with a Hispanic population as the next largest group and small representations of Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial students. About one in six students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that is below what many schools in the county report, suggesting a relatively higher-income student body for the area.
Academically, Foothill posts strong results on Utah’s state assessments. On the RISE tests, which cover math, English language arts, and science, the school’s proficiency rates are well above the median among districts in Utah County, landing in the top quartile overall. In math, roughly three out of four students score proficient or above. In English language arts, about three out of four students also reach that bar. Science results are even higher, with roughly four out of five students meeting proficiency. These are solid numbers, and the school’s overall proficiency index is near the very top of the county range, so a parent looking for strong foundational academics will find that here.
Because Foothill serves only through sixth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. The school does not serve high school grades, so measures tied to high school completion do not apply. The data set also does not include information on chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, or course access, so those dimensions of the school environment are not available to describe. A parent may want to ask the school directly about class sizes, teacher experience, and any enrichment programs beyond core academics. The data set did not include any program offerings, so it is not clear whether the school offers specialized pathways such as dual-language immersion, gifted education, or arts integration.
Orem is a mid-sized, suburban city that has grown from a farming history into a commercial and educational hub. Utah Valley University is a major presence, shaping the city’s character and workforce. The built environment is auto-oriented, with a dispersed layout and major highways, though there is an extensive trail network and a bus rapid transit line connecting to Provo. The housing market reflects the area’s desirability: home values are above national averages, and rents have risen notably. Orem’s population has seen a slight recent decline, a contrast to its earlier growth, but the university continues to expand.
A major change is coming for all families in Alpine District. Voters approved a split of the district into three separate entities starting in the 2027-28 school year. Foothill School will fall into the “South” district, which will cover Orem, Vineyard, Lindon, and Pleasant Grove. New school board elections are scheduled for 2025, and boundaries are being finalized. This reorganization will mean new governance and could affect school boundaries and property tax structures. For a family considering Foothill now, the district split means the current administrative structure is temporary, and the long-term leadership and policies of the new South district are not yet fully known.
The combination of strong test scores, a relatively low poverty rate, and the city’s stable suburban environment makes Foothill a school that fits families seeking a traditional elementary experience with solid academic foundations. The main near-term uncertainty is the district reorganization, which is worth understanding before committing to a long-term school plan.
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