The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in Science. The lowest is 13% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Kearns Jr High
Kearns Jr High is a public junior high school serving grades six through eight in the western Salt Lake Valley community of Kearns, part of Granite District. The school sits within a primarily residential grid of single-family homes that traces its layout to a former World War II Army base, and its student body of roughly eight hundred is evenly distributed across the three middle-grade years.
On the state RISE assessments, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects lands in the bottom quartile relative to districts in Salt Lake County. In math and English language arts, the share of students reaching the proficient or above level is low by county standards, while science proficiency is somewhat higher though still below the median for the county. These results are based on the most recent testing cycles available for each subject. Standardized test scores are one measure, and a parent may want to ask the school about the instructional supports and interventions in place for students who are below grade level.
The student body reflects a high degree of economic disadvantage. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The largest demographic group is Hispanic, followed by a White population that makes up about a third of the school, with smaller shares of students who are Pacific Islander, two or more races, Black, and Native American. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the sources we looked at, so a parent should check directly with the school on the availability of special education and language support services.
Kearns itself is a suburban community with no traditional downtown. Civic life centers on Oquirrh Park, the Utah Olympic Oval, and a newer public library. The housing stock is predominantly single-family homes on modest lots, and the area is car-dependent for most errands. Home values in the zip code are near the national typical level but below the state median, while rents are moderate. The community has seen slow population growth and limited land for large new development; it was formally incorporated as a city in 2024. Commuting patterns draw many residents to jobs in neighboring cities such as West Valley City and Salt Lake City.
No information was available in the data we reviewed on course offerings, extracurricular programs, discipline rates, staffing ratios, or attendance patterns at Kearns Jr High. The district-level background was also not available, so we cannot speak to recent referenda or strategic changes in Granite District. A parent researching this school may want to visit the school website or contact the school directly for details on elective options, after-school activities, and student support services.
Kearns Jr High is a solidly middle-school environment serving a diverse, lower-income community in a well-established suburban setting. Its state test results are lower than those of most other Salt Lake County school districts, which may be an important consideration for families comparing academic pathways, but the data we have does not describe the full picture of classroom instruction or student growth over time.
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