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SALT LAKE CITY — It appears a new high school may not be on the horizon for Salt Lake City's west side after a study presented to the Salt Lake City School District board on Tuesday shed doubt on the possibility.
The results of the feasibility study highlight a projected decline in student enrollment over the next decade and the challenges of securing a lot large enough for a new high school on the west side.
Salt Lake City School District Superintendent Elizabeth Grant has "heard from interested community members about the possibility of building a comprehensive high school west of I-15," the school district said in a report following the meeting.
"She wants them to know that the district has heard them and understands their concerns, but right now we don't see a way forward on this issue. However, the concerns she has heard will spur the district to look at the changes we can make in our schools to make sure all students, no matter where they live in our district, feel welcome and are successful," the district said on its website.
The district has three high schools — East High School, West High School and Highland High School — all located on the east side of I-15.
Declining enrollment
About 47% of in-district K-12 students live west of I-15. Additionally, a geographic distribution in the report shows several areas west of I-15 had the highest levels of enrollment density, specifically in the neighborhoods between I-15 and I-215, near the airport and in west Salt Lake City.
The report shows the district's school-age population of children age 5 to 17 dropped from 15% in 2010 to 12% in 2023. The average population per household declined by 6% since 2010, making it approximately 2.34 people per household, and it is projected to drop to 2.28 by 2034.
Statewide, schools have been experiencing record-low enrollment rates. Salt Lake City School District's enrollment has declined almost 18.5% over the past eight years.
Despite additional housing being built, the population has only grown about half a percent in the last five years. The report also said the new construction is mainly apartments or similar-type housing that isn't designed or marketed to families, so the impact on future enrollment is anticipated to be minimal.
Enrollment for middle school boundary areas is projected to decline by about 80 students over the next 10 years, and high school area enrollment is estimated to decline by 700 students, according to the report.
If the district's enrollment-to-population ratio continues to fall over the next decade, the district anticipates in-district student enrollment in the 2033/2034 school year will be abut 16% less than this year's enrollment. The report's analysis shows a majority of subsections in the district have experienced loss in enrollment and are projected to decrease more.
Difficulty in finding property to build
Discussion with administrators and athletic directors held during the feasibility study revolved around improving proximity to schools for students, the impact of lower average student enrollment and how to ensure all students have access to activities and sports, according to the report. The discussion ended with questions about how to make a school that meets students' needs for achievement, if lower enrollment means fewer programs, and where a school could possibly be built.
The district said it would need a lot with 30 acres for a new school. Properties the district owns west of the freeway include various schools, with the two largest lots being Newman Elementary School at 17.69 acres and the property of Glendale Middle School and Mountain View Elementary School totaling 23.37 acres.
The district also looked into properties adjacent to Riley Elementary School and Backman Elementary School as potential locations. The district said all potential properties exist in affordable housing neighborhoods, which means expansion would require purchasing private properties, and infrastructure could add large barriers.
The district's executive director of auxiliary services "sought a plot of about 30 acres, enough land to house a high school, its parking lots, athletic fields, and other needs. He talked with city, county, and state planners and leaders. However, available land is not big enough, has already been developed, or will soon be used for another purpose," the district added on its website.
