The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in English language arts. The lowest is 16% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Thomas W. Bacchus School
Thomas W. Bacchus School serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade in Kearns, a residential suburb on the western side of the Salt Lake Valley. It is part of the Granite District, one of the largest school systems in Utah. The school’s enrollment is modest for an elementary school, and its student body is diverse: a substantial share of students are Hispanic, with a significant white population and smaller numbers of Asian, Black, multiracial, and other backgrounds. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting a community with higher-than-average economic need. Data on the share of students with individualized education plans or English learner status was not available, so those dimensions of student support are not fully visible from the records.
State assessment results place Bacchus in a challenging position relative to other schools in the county. The school’s overall proficiency across math, reading, and science was in the bottom quarter when compared to districts in Salt Lake County. The proficiency rates in each subject are low, meaning a majority of tested students are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks. This is a soft spot that a parent will want to look into further with the school, particularly to understand what academic interventions or enrichment are in place. Because the school does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and no chronic absenteeism data was available.
Kearns itself has a distinct history. It began as a World War II Army Air Forces training base, and after deactivation the military streets and foundations became the template for a suburban community that grew rapidly through the latter part of the twentieth century. The built environment is primarily single-family homes on modest lots, with a car-dependent layout. There is no traditional downtown; instead, community life is centered on Oquirrh Park, the Utah Olympic Oval, and the Kearns Library, which opened in a new building in late 2020. The Utah Olympic Oval, built for the Winter Olympics and known as among the fastest ice surfaces in the world, anchors recreation and will host skating events again in a future Olympics. The community became an incorporated city in 2024 after many years as a township. Available land for new development is limited, so growth has been modest, with some recent housing added around Oquirrh Park.
Home values in the area are somewhat below the state median, and typical rents, while not inexpensive, consume a moderate share of local income. The housing market is stable but not as high-pressure as some parts of the Salt Lake Valley.
Because the data provided for the Granite District’s recent bond measures or strategic initiatives was very thin, it is not possible to describe district-level changes that might affect Bacchus. A parent may want to check directly with the district office for any upcoming facility plans, curriculum shifts, or funding priorities.
Thomas W. Bacchus School fits families who want a neighborhood elementary school in a stable, working-class suburb with strong community anchors and a clear sense of history. The academic picture, however, gives reason to dig deeper. The proficiency numbers are well below the county midpoint, and a parent considering this school should ask about targeted support for struggling students, after-school programs, and how the school engages families in academic progress. For those who place a high priority on test scores, this may not be the best match without supplemental resources or tutoring. For families who value a familiar, locally rooted school within a community that has extensive parks and recreational facilities, Bacchus offers that setting, but the academic challenges are real and should not be overlooked.
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