The top reported proficiency rate is 14% in English language arts. The lowest is 12% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Highland Junior High
Highland Junior High in Ogden serves students in seventh through ninth grade as part of the Ogden City District. It is a traditional public school in a mid-sized city that functions as the economic and government hub of northern Utah. The school sits within a community that has seen significant downtown revitalization in recent years, along with growth across industry clusters including outdoor recreation, information technology, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. The city’s largest employer is the Internal Revenue Service, and other major employers include McKay Dee Hospital, Weber State University, and the district itself.
The student body at Highland Junior High is diverse, with a majority of students identified as Hispanic. White students make up the next largest share, and smaller groups include students who are Black, two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. A substantial share of the student population qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that many families face economic challenges.
On state assessments, Highland Junior High’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the bottom quartile relative to the other districts in Weber County. Proficiency rates on the RISE tests in math, English language arts, and science each stand at approximately what would be considered low single-digit percentages. These numbers give a clear picture for families: academic performance on these measures is a significant area of concern, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand how instruction and support align with student outcomes. It is worth noting that because there is only one year of data for this school, it is not possible to examine trends over time.
Several types of data that are commonly available for other schools are missing here. There is no reported information on the number of students receiving special education services or those identified as English learners. No disciplinary data, staffing ratios, or course access data were available. The school’s participation rate on state tests was also not reported, which makes it harder to interpret the proficiency results with full confidence. Because Highland Junior High serves only middle grades, it does not have a graduation rate.
The district that Highland is part of, Ogden City District, is in the midst of a major facilities initiative. In late 2024, voters approved a general obligation bond — the largest in district history — to build two new elementary schools, renovate and add to multiple existing campuses, upgrade security district-wide across all schools, and construct a new transportation hub. The bond was structured so that the property tax rate would remain flat rather than decrease as older debt was paid off. Construction planning began in 2025, with builds expected in 2025 and 2026. A parent with children in the district can expect to see new and renovated school facilities and improved safety infrastructure in the coming years, with property tax rates held steady rather than declining.
Ogden itself offers a mix of urban amenities and outdoor access. Historic 25th Street provides dining, nightlife, and shopping, while the downtown area has seen revitalization with new public gathering spaces. Weber State University is a major presence in the city. For families, the area provides a range of civic anchors including the FrontRunner commuter rail, an airport, and nearby reservoirs for recreation. Housing costs in the area are moderate relative to some parts of Utah, though the national context of elevated home prices and mortgage rates applies here as well.
This is a school where the academic results are low compared with the rest of the county, and where the district is actively investing in its physical infrastructure. For a family weighing options, these are the central facts to consider alongside whatever additional information they can gather from the school itself about its programs, teacher support, and student experience.
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