The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in Science. The lowest is 31% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Parkside Elementary
Parkside Elementary serves students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Orem, part of the Alpine School District. The school draws from surrounding residential neighborhoods in a city that blends suburban development with a significant university presence, as Utah Valley University is located nearby. The student body is moderately sized for an elementary school in this grade band. A majority of students identify as Hispanic, around a third as White, and smaller shares as multiracial, Black, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or American Indian. Over half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a measure the school uses to indicate economic need.
On state assessments in math, English language arts, and science, the share of students scoring at the proficient level sits below the midpoint when compared across districts in Utah County. This is a soft spot in the school’s profile. The data does not include participation rates or breakdowns by student subgroups, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about how different groups are performing and whether the tested group reflects the full enrollment. Because this is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report.
The housing market in Orem reflects a mix of home values and rents that are typical for a growing Utah County city. Monthly mortgage costs, estimated with a conventional down payment, are higher than the average rent, which suggests that owning a home in this area requires a substantial income. Rents have been rising moderately. The broader economic context shows a national unemployment rate that has been stable, while median household income nationally has edged upward. None of this directly determines classroom experience, but it shapes the community families come from.
Orem’s character is shaped by its transition from a farming and orchard area into a commercial and educational hub. The city’s identity as “Family City USA” is reinforced by an award-winning library, a parks system with extensive trails, and a performing arts center. The university campus functions as a major anchor, though the built environment is mostly suburban and car-oriented, with commercial corridors along State Street and University Parkway. Population has seen a slight decline in recent years after earlier growth, but the university continues to grow. For families moving into the area, these conditions mean a familiar suburban landscape with access to higher education and cultural amenities, but also a community that is in flux.
A major district reorganization will take effect in the 2027–28 school year. Alpine School District, currently the largest in Utah, is splitting into three separate districts. Parkside Elementary will be in the South district, which will include Orem along with the neighboring cities of Vineyard, Lindon, and Pleasant Grove. New school board members will be elected in 2025, and boundaries have already been approved. For families with children at Parkside, this means that governance, school board representation, and potentially property tax arrangements will change in the coming years. The school’s daily operations, curriculum, and staff may also be affected as the new district establishes itself.
For a parent considering this school, the picture is one of a neighborhood elementary with a diverse student body and a significant share of families receiving economic support. Academic proficiency is an area to investigate further, especially if standardized test performance is a priority. The pending district split adds a layer of uncertainty, but also an opportunity for families to engage in shaping the new South district. Orem itself offers a range of civic amenities and a suburban lifestyle, with the university providing a source of activity and employment. The school fits a family looking for a community-oriented setting within a larger metropolitan area that is in the middle of a major governance transition.
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