Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Public High Schools in Salt Lake City
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Public High Schools in Salt Lake City
Direct Answer
The Best Overall public high school in the Salt Lake City area is Skyline High School in Millcreek, a Granite District flagship whose deep AP and IB-style offerings, strong graduation rate above 90%, and consistent placement among Utah's top comprehensive schools make it the area's most complete public option.
The Best Value pick is West High School in downtown Salt Lake City, home to one of the state's most rigorous Extended Learning Program (ELP) magnet tracks, delivering elite academics tuition-free to a remarkably diverse student body. This list is built for families and students weighing where to enroll across the Salt Lake City metro, with a focus on academics, college outcomes, and fit.
Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), U.S. News, Niche, and individual district sources.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each school against the priorities families tell guidance offices they actually care about, drawing on published figures from U.S. News, Niche, GreatSchools, the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), and the College Board. The weighting:
- Academic performance (test scores, AP/IB) - 25%
- College and post-grad outcomes - 20%
- Value and cost - 15%
- Teachers and resources - 15%
- Environment and safety - 15%
- Extracurriculars and fit - 10%
A school that posts strong scores but graduates few students, or wins on reputation but offers thin programs, drops fast. The winners balance all six.
1. Skyline High School 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: High-achieving families wanting the metro's deepest comprehensive academics
Located in Millcreek within the Granite School District, Skyline High School enrolls roughly 2,000 students and is repeatedly ranked among the top public high schools in Utah by U.S. News. Skyline posts a graduation rate near 92%, a broad AP catalog with strong participation, and consistently high proficiency in math and reading on Utah's RISE and Aspire assessments.
The school's debate, science olympiad, and music programs are among the strongest in the state, and a high share of graduates enroll at the University of Utah, Utah State, and selective out-of-state schools. Its student-teacher ratio of about 22:1 is competitive for a large Utah comprehensive school.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 92% with strong college matriculation
- Deep AP catalog and high participation
- Nationally competitive debate and science teams
- Open enrollment within the attendance zone
Cons:
- Large enrollment means sizable core classes
- AP seats in the most popular courses fill quickly
Verdict: Skyline wins on balance - the most complete public academics in the Salt Lake metro with outcomes to match.
2. West High School
Type: Public Magnet (ELP) | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students seeking a rigorous magnet track in a diverse downtown school 💎 BEST VALUE
In downtown Salt Lake City, West High School is the city's oldest high school and home to the Extended Learning Program (ELP), a highly regarded magnet track that draws top students from across the district. West enrolls about 2,200 students and posts a graduation rate near 88% overall, with ELP students sitting numerous AP exams and earning some of the highest scores in the state.
The school is exceptionally diverse, and its International Baccalaureate Middle Years heritage and strong language programs are real assets. Elite academics delivered tuition-free to a broad, urban student body make it the area's best value.
Pros:
- ELP magnet delivers elite academics tuition-free
- One of the most diverse student bodies in Utah
- Strong AP and language programming
- Central, transit-accessible downtown location
Cons:
- Whole-school metrics trail the ELP magnet's results
- ELP admission is competitive
Verdict: The value champion - a rigorous magnet track and rich diversity at no cost to district families.
3. Olympus High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting balanced academics and athletics on the east bench
Olympus High School in Holladay, part of the Granite School District, enrolls about 1,700 students and is a consistent east-bench standout. Olympus reports a graduation rate near 91%, solid AP participation, and strong proficiency rates on state assessments.
The school's athletics, theater, and music programs are well regarded, and graduates enroll heavily at the University of Utah and regional flagships. The east-bench attendance zone supports robust electives and an engaged community.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 91%
- Strong, well-rounded AP offerings
- Standout athletics and performing arts
- Engaged east-bench community and resources
Cons:
- Less program specialization than the ELP magnet
- Popular electives can fill quickly
Verdict: A balanced east-bench standout - strong academics paired with deep extracurriculars.
4. Brighton High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Cottonwood Heights families wanting strong comprehensive outcomes
Brighton High School in Cottonwood Heights, part of the Canyons School District, enrolls roughly 2,000 students and is one of the metro's strongest comprehensive schools. Brighton reports a graduation rate near 92%, broad AP offerings, and high proficiency on Utah's state tests.
The school's athletics and STEM clubs are competitive, and its modern facilities and Canyons District funding support strong electives. Graduates enroll heavily at four-year colleges across the region.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 92%
- Broad AP catalog with strong participation
- Competitive athletics and STEM programs
- Modern facilities and Canyons District funding
Cons:
- Large enrollment yields bigger classes
- Limited specialized magnet programming
Verdict: A dependable comprehensive powerhouse - strong academics with excellent facilities.
5. Hillcrest High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students seeking an International Baccalaureate diploma pathway
Hillcrest High School in Midvale, part of the Canyons School District, enrolls about 1,800 students and houses one of the metro's most established International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Hillcrest reports a graduation rate near 90%, strong IB and AP outcomes, and a notably diverse student body.
IB diploma candidates carry a demanding workload, and matriculation is strong to the University of Utah and selective out-of-state schools. The school's language and arts programs are well regarded.
Pros:
- Established IB diploma program
- Graduation rate near 90%
- Diverse student community
- Strong language and arts programming
Cons:
- IB workload is demanding for full-diploma candidates
- Whole-school scores trail the top east-bench schools
Verdict: The metro's premier public IB option - ideal for students who want the full diploma rigor.
6. Alta High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Sandy-area families wanting strong academics and athletics
Alta High School in Sandy, part of the Canyons School District, serves roughly 2,200 students and is a perennial south-valley standout. Alta posts a graduation rate near 92%, solid AP participation, and strong proficiency on state assessments. The school's athletics programs are among the most successful in the state, and its supportive culture and stable faculty are real assets.
Graduates enroll heavily at four-year colleges across Utah and the region.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 92%
- Strong AP participation
- Among the most successful athletics programs in Utah
- Supportive culture and stable faculty
Cons:
- Less specialized programming than magnet schools
- Large enrollment means sizable classes
Verdict: A south-valley standout - strong academics and elite athletics in one school.
7. East High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Salt Lake City families wanting a diverse, central comprehensive school
East High School in Salt Lake City, part of the Salt Lake City School District, enrolls about 2,200 students and is one of the city's most recognizable comprehensive schools. East reports a graduation rate near 87%, growing AP participation, and a richly diverse student body.
The school's athletics, theater, and arts programs are strong, and a high share of graduates enroll at the University of Utah and regional schools. Its central location and community engagement are real strengths.
Pros:
- Diverse, central student community
- Growing AP participation
- Strong athletics and performing arts
- Engaged community and central location
Cons:
- Graduation rate trails the top suburban schools
- Funding pressures affect some electives
Verdict: A vibrant, diverse city school - strong arts and athletics with improving academics.
8. Cottonwood High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Murray-area families seeking a diverse school with strong CTE pathways
Cottonwood High School in Murray, part of the Granite School District, enrolls about 1,800 students and pairs solid academics with strong career and technical education (CTE) pathways and a respected medical magnet. Cottonwood reports a graduation rate near 88%, growing AP offerings, and a diverse student body.
The school's CTE certifications and health-sciences track give career-focused students a real edge into four-year and technical programs alike.
Pros:
- Respected medical and CTE magnet pathways
- Graduation rate near 88%
- Diverse student community
- Strong industry-certification outcomes
Cons:
- Academic-track AP catalog is narrower than top schools
- CTE focus may not suit purely academic students
Verdict: The best CTE-plus-academic public option in the metro - excellent for career-focused students.
9. Jordan High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Sandy-area families wanting a well-rounded comprehensive school
Jordan High School in Sandy, part of the Canyons School District, enrolls about 1,700 students and is one of Utah's oldest high schools. Jordan reports a graduation rate near 90%, solid AP participation, and strong proficiency on state assessments. The school's athletics and music programs are well regarded, and its stable faculty and engaged community support a broad set of electives.
Graduates enroll heavily at four-year colleges across the region.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 90%
- Solid AP participation
- Well-regarded athletics and music
- Stable faculty and engaged community
Cons:
- Less specialized programming than magnet schools
- Older facilities in some buildings
Verdict: A well-rounded south-valley school - dependable academics with strong extracurriculars.
10. Highland High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Salt Lake City families wanting a diverse, central school with strong arts
Highland High School in Salt Lake City, part of the Salt Lake City School District, enrolls about 1,800 students and is a recognizable central-city comprehensive school. Highland reports a graduation rate near 86%, growing AP participation, and a notably diverse student body.
The school's music, theater, and arts programs are strong, and its central location and community engagement are real assets. A high share of graduates enroll at the University of Utah and regional schools.
Pros:
- Diverse, central student community
- Strong music, theater, and arts programs
- Growing AP participation
- Engaged community and central location
Cons:
- Graduation rate trails top suburban schools
- Funding pressures affect some electives
Verdict: A diverse central-city school with standout arts - improving academics and strong community.
Which One's Right for You?
What to Look For When Choosing a Public High School
- Graduation and college-going rates - A school that graduates 88%+ of students and sends most to four-year colleges signals consistent outcomes, not just high scores from a few.
- AP/IB depth and pass rates - Look beyond how many courses are offered to how many students actually pass the exams, which reflects real classroom rigor.
- Student-teacher ratio and resources - Utah's ratios run higher than the national average, so look for stable, experienced faculty and well-funded electives.
- Magnet vs. Open enrollment - Magnet tracks like West's ELP and Hillcrest's IB offer depth but require commitment; top comprehensive schools like Skyline and Brighton deliver strong outcomes to all zoned families.
- Environment and safety - Check climate surveys and discipline data, not reputation alone, to gauge whether a student will thrive.
- Program fit - A CTE pathway at Cottonwood or an IB diploma at Hillcrest may serve a specific student far better than a higher overall ranking.
What matters less than marketing implies: a school's national ranking number, its newest building, or its average test score alone. Fit, program access, and a supportive teacher relationship affect a student's outcome far more than a single headline figure.
FAQ
Which public high school is the best overall in Salt Lake City? Skyline High School in Millcreek earns the top spot for its deep AP catalog, graduation rate near 92%, and consistent placement among Utah's top public schools, with strong college matriculation.
What is the best value public high school in the Salt Lake City area? West High School is our best value - its Extended Learning Program (ELP) magnet delivers elite academics tuition-free to a diverse downtown student body, with no premium attendance zone required.
Which Salt Lake City public high school is best for IB? Hillcrest High School in Midvale offers the metro's most established International Baccalaureate diploma pathway, with strong IB outcomes and a diverse student community.
Do the top Salt Lake City public high schools require an application? Most are open to zoned families, but specialized tracks like West's ELP and the Hillcrest IB diploma require application or commitment; comprehensive schools like Skyline, Brighton, and Alta enroll students in their attendance zones.
Which district has the best public high schools near Salt Lake City? Granite (Skyline, Olympus) and Canyons (Brighton, Hillcrest, Alta) lead the metro, with Granite's Skyline topping academics and Canyons schools strong across athletics and IB.
Is AP or IB better in Salt Lake City public schools? Both are excellent - Hillcrest's IB diploma offers a structured, internationally recognized pathway, while AP-heavy schools like Skyline and Brighton let students choose individual rigorous courses; the right fit depends on the student's learning style.
Bottom Line
For Salt Lake City families, Skyline High School is our Best Overall public high school - its deep AP catalog, graduation rate near 92%, and strong college matriculation set the standard. West High School is our Best Value, delivering an elite ELP magnet tuition-free to a diverse downtown student body.
If your priority is an IB diploma or a medical and CTE pathway, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Hillcrest or Cottonwood instead. Choose on program fit, outcomes, and access - not a single ranking number - and your student will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- U.S. News - Best Utah High Schools rankings
- Niche - Best Public High Schools in the Salt Lake City Area
- GreatSchools - Salt Lake City school ratings
- Utah State Board of Education (USBE) - school report cards
- College Board - AP program data
- NCES - National Center for Education Statistics school search
- Granite School District
- Canyons School District
- Salt Lake City School District
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