The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in Science. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Elk Run Elementary
Elk Run Elementary serves students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Magna, a community in the western Salt Lake Valley with roots in copper mining and a current mix of residential neighborhoods and industrial employers such as Northrop Grumman. The school sits within the Granite School District, the same district that operates the other four elementary schools in Magna as well as Matheson Junior High and Cyprus High School.
The student body is roughly evenly split between students who identify as white and those who identify as Hispanic, with smaller numbers of students who are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Black, Asian, or American Indian. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a measure of household economic need.
On Utah's RISE assessments, which are state tests in math, English language arts, and science for students in grades three through six, the share of Elk Run students scoring proficient or above fell below the midpoint among elementary schools in Salt Lake County. In math and English language arts, the proficiency rates were in the lower range; science proficiency was higher than those two subjects but still below what many parents would consider a solid benchmark. The school’s overall proficiency index placed it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Salt Lake County. A parent exploring this school will want to ask what academic support systems are in place for students who are not yet meeting grade-level expectations, including interventions in the early grades and any enrichment for students who are already proficient. The available data does not include information on the share of students who receive special education services or English learner supports, so families with children who have those needs should contact the school directly about program availability and staffing.
Magna itself has seen visible change. The community was recently elevated from a metro township to a city, reflecting growth and a shift in local governance. Property values have been rising, and the Historic Main Street has been remodeled into a walkable corridor with a theater, restaurants, and small businesses. The town sits on the Salt Lake Valley grid with expressway access to I-80, and a UTA bus route runs along 3500 South, connecting to light rail. Most residents commute by car, and the average commute is typical for the region.
Elk Run does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. The school is a traditional public school that is not a charter, and its Title I status was not available in the data provided. No information was available on discipline incidents, chronic absenteeism, or staffing ratios, so it is not possible to characterize the school’s climate or teacher workload from this snapshot.
The housing market in the area reflects broader Salt Lake County trends. Typical home values in Magna’s zip code are below the state median but above the national median, and rents are somewhat lower than a mortgage payment for a median-priced home, suggesting that renting may be more accessible than buying for many households. Prices have been rising at a moderate pace.
This is a school that serves a high-need population in a community with a working-class and industrial character. The testing numbers clearly indicate that most students are not reaching the proficient bar in reading and math, which is an important fact for any parent weighing their options. Some families may find that the school’s size is a strength; it is large enough to offer a full grade span and a peer group of several hundred students, but not so large as to feel impersonal. Others may want to investigate whether the school has partnerships, early literacy programs, or after-school supports that could address the academic challenges the assessment data reveals.
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