Where are the Good Schools

Moving can be stressful. Finding a house, a job,been named the top high school in Utah and
and good schools for the kids can be big hurdlesnumber 158 in the nation by Newsweek and the
to overcome. And sorting through all the schoolWashington Post. It is the second consecutive
ranking for general education lists can be tiresome.year West has earned the top spot. Highland High
So I set out with goal to do a lot of thatis ranked at 285 in the national listing. Another Salt
research for you and unearth one district thatLake City School - Northwest Middle - won the
sounds like a good move for relocating a family.2007 Distinction in Character Education Award
Keep in mind that all the awards, school rankingsfrom the National Center for Community of
and on-line praise you hear won't ever give youCaring.
the same information as actually visiting an area.On May 18, 2007, the National Conference named
But it's a good place to start. One of the areasSheila Jaymes, a Salt Lake City Schools counselor
that kept turning up in my searches was the Saltat Wasatch Elementary and half time truancy
Lake City Public Schools. Now don't pack up andspecialist, the Volunteer of the Year for
move on my say so! But look at the accoladesCommunity and Justice. For the last nine years,
they've received. If a move to the Salt Lakeshe has volunteered her time with the NCCJ,
Schools area is a possibility for you that could beworking with adolescents and community leaders
a good thing.within Salt Lake City Schools.
The school district of Salt Lake City Schools hasDoug Jorgenson, Biotechnology teacher at Highland
received numerous awards during the 2006-2007High School, has been named the Outstanding
school year. For example, four Salt Lake CityConcurrent Teacher for Salt Lake City Schools
Schools students who attend Bryant Middle Schoolfor 2007 by Salt Lake Community College.
recently won Fourth Place and the Naval HistoryJorgenson has been teaching for the district for 11
Award for their presentation at the Nationalyears. His subject areas are Biology - Honors and
History Day competition. This was a nationalELP, Zoology and Biotechnology.
competition!Frankly, any district can give out volunteer and
Salt Lake City Schools' Escalante Elementary wonteacher of the year awards. So I'm more
the Intel School of Distinction Award for itsimpressed by the national placement of Salt Lake
commitment to academic excellence and scienceCity Schools mentioned above. If you are
instruction. Two Salt Lake City Schools recentlyintrigued, try visiting some parent boards and see
received national recognition. West High School haswhat locals say about their Salt Lake City Schools.