The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in Science. The lowest is 39% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hurricane School
Hurricane School is a public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the Washington County School District. The school sits in the city of Hurricane, a rapidly growing community in southern Utah that has transformed from a small farming town into a gateway for Zion National Park and a hub for major distribution centers. The city’s population has increased substantially over recent decades, and the district itself has seen strong enrollment growth, a factor that drives school construction and boundary decisions across the area.
The student body is large for an elementary school. Racially, it is predominantly white, with a Hispanic population making up the largest minority group, and small shares of students who identify as two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Black, or Asian. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on the share of students with disabilities and English learners were not reported, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the support structures available for those populations.
On state assessments administered in grades three through five, the school’s composite proficiency rate, which averages math, English language arts, and science results, sits above the midpoint among districts in Washington County. In math, about two-fifths of students scored at the proficient or above level. In English language arts, a similar share met that bar. In science, just under half of students were proficient. These results are below the top-performing schools in the county, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what academic interventions or enrichment are in place, particularly if they are accustomed to higher proficiency rates. Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the test results cover only the tested grades within that span.
The state’s assessment program used in the available testing years is called RISE. A change in the cut scores for English language arts occurred in a recent year, so year-to-year comparisons in that subject should be treated with caution.
The housing market in Hurricane reflects its growth and desirability. Home values are close to the state median and well above the national median, making the area expensive relative to the country as a whole. Rents are also high. For a given income level, renting is more affordable than buying with a typical mortgage at current interest rates. The community is auto-oriented, with Interstate 15 along the city’s northwest edge and State Street as the main commercial corridor. Walkability is limited outside that corridor. A recreational trail follows the historic Hurricane Canal, and nearby state parks and Zion National Park provide outdoor recreation.
The school itself offers no data on discipline, staffing ratios, or course access, which is common for an elementary school where those metrics are less frequently reported. No information was available on whether the school is a Title I school, nor on its magnet status.
Hurricane School is a large elementary school in a fast-growing city and district. Its academic proficiency rates land in the middle range for the county, with its strongest showing in science. The area’s housing market is expensive, and the community is car-dependent. For a family considering this school, the key factors are the school’s size, its above-midpoint but not top-tier test scores in the county, and the broader context of rapid enrollment growth that shapes the district’s resources and boundaries.
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