The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in Math. The lowest is 41% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on American Principles Academy
American Principles Academy is a new charter school in Cedar City, Utah, that opened in 2023. It is its own district, a single school serving as both a school and a governing body. The school is listed as a future institution in state data, and its grade band is described as "M through M," which in this context means it serves a middle grades range. Publicly reported materials from its founding charter proposal indicate it was planned to serve grades kindergarten through eight, with a maximum enrollment projected to grow to a substantial number of students across all grade levels. As a new charter, it offers Cedar City families an additional tuition-free public school option beyond the Iron County School District.
Because American Principles Academy is a new school, the available data is thin. State testing results exist for the most recent school year, showing proficiency rates in math and science for the tested grades. In math, a minority of students scored proficient. In science, a similar share of students scored proficient. These results place the school’s overall proficiency, across tested subjects and grades, above the midpoint when compared to the four districts in Iron County. A parent may want to note that the school is new, and these results represent an initial data point rather than an established track record. Test participation rates were not reported in the available data.
No enrollment, demographic, free or reduced-price lunch, special education, or English learner data was available in the record. This is not unusual for a school at this stage, as enrollment reporting often lags for new institutions. For a family considering this school, the lack of demographic context means that the peer environment cannot be described from the data on hand. Similarly, because the school serves grades in the middle range and does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report.
The school is located in Cedar City, a growing community in Iron County on the I-15 corridor between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Cedar City is home to Southern Utah University, and the city’s economy is built around the university, tourism as a gateway to national parks, and home construction. The city has seen steady population growth and describes itself as a place with historic downtown streets, local dining, and a full calendar of festivals and events. The housing market in the area is priced modestly below the statewide benchmark for Utah but above the national benchmark. Rent levels are similarly positioned. This context suggests a moderate cost of living for the region.
As a charter school, American Principles Academy operates independently from the Iron County School District, with its own board and governance. It was founded to provide an additional public school choice in the area. Families who value a charter’s autonomy and a newly established program may find this option appealing, while those looking for a long track record of performance and a fully described student body will have less to go on at this point. A parent may want to contact the school directly for current enrollment figures, staff experience, and details about its educational model to fill in the picture beyond what the public data currently shows.
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