The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Math. The lowest is 46% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Taylor School
Taylor School serves students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Payson, a growing residential community in southern Utah County that is part of the Provo-Orem metropolitan area. The school is one of several elementary schools within the Nebo School District, and it sits in a neighborhood setting west of Payson’s historic Main Street. The city has expanded significantly since the 1980s as the metropolitan area pushed southward, and that growth continues. Housing values in the zip code are above the national benchmark, though mortgage payments outpace typical rents by a meaningful margin, and the ratio of home prices to incomes is elevated. For families considering the area, the housing market reflects both the region’s broader demand and the constraints of affordability that come with it.
Academically, Taylor School’s state testing results show a mixed picture. On the RISE assessments, a majority of students scored proficient or above in math, while just under half did so in English language arts and science. The ELA data is from a slightly earlier school year than the math and science results, so readers should note the timing difference when comparing subjects. When the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects is measured against other districts in Utah County, it sits above the midpoint. That is a solid relative position for an elementary school and suggests that, on balance, Taylor’s students perform better than the median district-level result in the county, though there is still room for growth, particularly in reading and science. A parent may want to look into how reading instruction is supported here, especially given the gap between math and ELA outcomes.
The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic or Latino population and a small share of students identifying as two or more races. Just under half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate level of economic diversity. The school does not report data on students with disabilities or English learners in the available metrics, so a family with a child who has an Individualized Education Program or is learning English should confirm directly with the school what supports are in place. The enrollment is relatively small for a PK-6 building, and the grade-level counts suggest a consistent flow from kindergarten through fifth grade, though the sixth-grade enrollment was listed as zero in the data, which may warrant clarification with the district.
The Nebo School District has invested heavily in facilities in recent years. Voters approved a major bond in 2024 to rebuild Payson High School and Springville High School, as well as fund upgrades across the district, without raising the property tax rate. Those new high school buildings were completed for the 2025-2026 school year. Spanish Fork High School also underwent a full rebuild that finished in 2024. For families at Taylor Elementary, these investments mean that their children will eventually attend modernized high schools if they remain in the district. The district’s commitment to capital improvements is a tangible sign of growth and community support, though it also reflects the pressures of a rapidly expanding student population across Utah County.
Payson itself retains a small-town feel with a historic Main Street, annual festivals such as Onion Days and the Scottish Heritage Festival, and community anchors like Memorial Park and the Peteetneet Museum. The city has grown substantially in population over the past few decades, and its housing stock includes both older homes near the center and newer suburban developments on the outskirts. The walkability of the area around Taylor School is not explicitly documented, but the school’s location on a side street west of downtown suggests a relatively low-traffic residential setting. For a family looking at this school, the broader context is a community that is expanding steadily, with school facilities being upgraded to match, and a housing market that reflects that demand. Taylor School itself offers a solid academic floor, with math performance as a relative strength and room to improve in literacy and science. The lack of data on special populations and discipline means that a thorough visit and conversation with school staff would be wise for any family with particular support needs.
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