The top reported proficiency rate is 52% in Science. The lowest is 32% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Red Hills Middle
Red Hills Middle serves students in sixth through eighth grade in Richfield, the county seat of Sevier County and the de facto regional commercial hub of southern-central Utah. Richfield sits along Interstate 70 midway between Los Angeles and Denver, a location that shapes its economy around retail, hospitality, and agriculture. The school sits within the town’s residential fabric, one of five schools in the Sevier District, alongside two elementary schools, one high school, and an alternative high school. A satellite campus of Snow College operates in Richfield, adding a postsecondary presence. The district itself appears stable; a search for recent changes turned up little of lasting impact.
Red Hills Middle enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with a modest share of Hispanic students and very small numbers of students from other racial backgrounds. A substantial portion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the area’s mixed economic base that includes retail, healthcare, agriculture, and tourism jobs. The school’s size is typical for a middle school serving a small city and its surrounding area.
On state assessments, the school’s results vary by subject. In English language arts, about half of students scored at the proficient level or above. In science, a similar share reached proficiency. Math proficiency was lower, with roughly a third of students meeting the state’s benchmark. A parent considering this school may want to ask the school how it supports math achievement, particularly for students who are not yet on grade level. Because Red Hills Middle is the only middle school in Sevier County, the data does not allow a direct comparison to neighboring schools—the county’s single-district structure means there is no local peer set for that kind of ranking. The state changed its ELA cut scores in a recent year, which can affect year-to-year comparisons, but the available data provides only a single year’s snapshot for each subject rather than a multi-year trend. Participation rates for the assessments were not reported, so it is not possible to verify what share of students took the tests.
No information was available on discipline rates, chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, or course access. These are common areas parents prioritize, and their absence from the public data is worth noting. For a middle school, there is no graduation rate to report, as that metric applies only to high schools.
Housing in Richfield is moderately priced relative to the rest of Utah, with home values below the state average and close to the national median. The area has seen modest growth in land area and population, and its role as a regional shopping and tourist center continues to shape development. Street life is oriented around Main Street, with businesses, gas stations, and hotels serving both residents and interstate travelers. The Paiute ATV trail system and Pahvant Mountain Bike Trails provide outdoor recreation options within easy reach.
For a family looking at this school, the picture is of a mid-sized middle school in a small but economically diverse city that functions as a regional anchor. Academic performance is mixed, with math an area where proficiency trails the other tested subjects. The school sits within a stable district with no major recent upheavals. A parent may find it worthwhile to speak directly with the school about math instruction and support, about enrichment and intervention programs, and about the specific opportunities available given the school’s place in the community.
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