West High School is the oldest public high school in the U.S. state of Utah. It was founded in 1890, and it is part of the Salt Lake City School District. Its original name was Salt Lake High. The school colors are red and black and the school mascot is a black panther. It has a current enrollment of 2,840.
Serving 2,505 students in grades 7-12, West High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Utah for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 35% (which is lower than the Utah state average of 40%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60% (which is higher than the Utah state average of 43%).
The student:teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the Utah state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Utah state average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 7-12
- Enrollment: 2,505 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 87% (Btm 50% in UT)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 35% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 60% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 48% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), UT Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
West High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Utah for:
Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
West High School's student population of 2,505 students has declined by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 113 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 7-12
Total Students
2,505 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
113 teachers
Year Founded
1890
Colors
Black, Red
School Rankings
West High School ranks within the top 50% of all 957 schools in Utah (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of West High School is 0.70, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.46. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#314 out of 957 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
40%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)60%
43%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)48%
45%
Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
21:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
7%
2%
Hispanic
47%
20%
Black
5%
1%
White
27%
71%
Hawaiian
8%
1%
Two or more races
5%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
87%
88%
Eligible for Free Lunch
45%
24%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), UT Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Panthers
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is West High School's ranking?
West High School is ranked #314 out of 957 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Utah.
What schools are West High School often compared to?
West High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like East High School, Highland High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
35% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 40% UT state average), while 60% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 43% UT state average).
What is the graduation rate of West High School?
The graduation rate of West High School is 87%, which is lower than the Utah state average of 88%.
How many students attend West High School?
2,505 students attend West High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
47% of West High School students are Hispanic, 27% of students are White, 8% of students are Hawaiian, 7% of students are Asian, 5% of students are Black, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of West High School?
West High School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the Utah state average of 21:1.
What grades does West High School offer ?
West High School offers enrollment in grades 7-12
What school district is West High School part of?
West High School is part of Salt Lake School District.
In what neighborhood is West High School located?
West High School is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Salt Lake City, UT. There are 2 other public schools located in Capitol Hill.
School Reviews
Review West High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
