The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in English language arts. The lowest is 39% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ascent Academies of Utah Saratoga Springs
Ascent Academies of Utah Saratoga Springs is a charter school serving kindergarten through sixth grade in the fast-growing suburban city of Saratoga Springs, located along the western shore of Utah Lake. It is part of a small network of charter schools operating multiple campuses across northern Utah; the Saratoga Springs campus opened in the 2022-2023 school year, adding a new enrollment option for families in the northern part of Utah County.
The school’s enrollment is modest for its grade band and reflects a community that is predominantly White, with a substantial Hispanic population and smaller shares of Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial students. About a fifth of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that places the school in a lower-poverty range relative to many public schools statewide. Because the school serves only elementary and middle grades, data on high school outcomes such as graduation rates do not apply here, and measures like chronic absenteeism were not available in the profile.
State testing results provide a picture of academic performance in the elementary grades. On Utah’s RISE assessments, proficiency rates in math and English language arts are in the mid-forties, and science proficiency is somewhat lower. Compared with other districts in Utah County, the school’s overall proficiency index sits below the midpoint, meaning that a typical district in the county outperforms this school on these measures. A parent considering this school may want to discuss with the school how it supports students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks and what academic interventions or enrichment opportunities are available.
The school’s instructional approach is a distinctive part of its identity. The Ascent Academies network uses the Schoolwide Enrichment Model, which includes weekly enrichment clusters that students choose based on their interests. These clusters are designed to let students select topics of study and sometimes learn from community experts. This pedagogical model is a stated core feature across all campuses and gives the school a particular character that sets it apart from traditional elementary programs in the surrounding Alpine School District, which serves most Saratoga Springs students.
Saratoga Springs itself is a rapidly developing bedroom community. The city has grown from a very small population a few decades ago to a much larger one today, with estimates continuing to rise. The built environment is spread out over a narrow north-south strip between Utah Lake and the Lake Mountain foothills, making car travel the norm. Schools are dispersed across multiple campuses rather than clustered in a downtown, as the city lacks a traditional commercial core. Civic landmarks include the municipally owned library and the recently dedicated LDS temple. Housing values in the area are elevated relative to national medians, and rental costs follow a similar pattern, reflecting the high demand for homes in this family-oriented suburb.
For a family seeking a charter school with an enrichment-focused curriculum in a rapidly growing suburban setting, Ascent Academies Saratoga Springs offers a defined pedagogical alternative. The school’s test results suggest that while many students meet state standards, a significant portion do not, and the school’s performance relative to other Utah County districts is below average. Parents who prioritize the Schoolwide Enrichment Model and the structure of a charter network may find the school appealing, while those focused primarily on standardized achievement levels may want to explore how the school addresses gaps in proficiency. As a relatively new campus, its character and trajectory are still emerging.
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