Cottonwood High School is a public high school located in Murray, Utah, United States. The current enrollment is nearly 1700 and is the most diverse school in the Granite School District, and one of the most diverse in the state of Utah. The school offers traditional schooling for grades nine through twelve.
Serving 1,451 students in grades 9-12, Cottonwood High School ranks in the bottom 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 9% (which is lower than the Utah state average of 40%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 34% (which is lower than the Utah state average of 43%).
The student-teacher ratio of 23:1 is higher than the Utah state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Utah state average of 31% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,451 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1
- Minority Enrollment: 59%
- Graduation Rate: 78% (Btm 50% in UT)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 9% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 34% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 25% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Cottonwood High serves the southeast part of Salt Lake City, Utah, covering an area of approximately 16.9 square miles. Most families can expect a typical drive to the school of 5 to 10 minutes, with an average distance of about 3.2 miles from the school to the edge of the attendance zone, which extends up to 6.8 miles at its furthest point.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), UT Dept. of Education
School Overview
Cottonwood High School's student population of 1,451 students has declined by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 63 teachers has declined by 14% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,451 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
63 teachers
Showing 2012–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1970
School Rankings
Cottonwood High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 957 schools in Utah (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Cottonwood High School is 0.68, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.48. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#848 out of 957 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
9%
40%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)34%
43%
Showing 2011–2021. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)25%
45%
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
21:1
Showing 2012–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
1%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
6%
2%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
39%
21%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
7%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
White
41%
69%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hawaiian
1%
2%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
5%
4%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
78%
88.3%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)39.6%
26.5%
Eligible for Free Lunch
44%
23%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
School Mascot
Colts
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), UT Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cottonwood High School's ranking?
Cottonwood High School is ranked #848 out of 957 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Utah.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
9% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 40% UT state average), while 34% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 43% UT state average).
What is the graduation rate of Cottonwood High School?
The graduation rate of Cottonwood High School is 78%, which is lower than the Utah state average of 88.3%.
How many students attend Cottonwood High School?
1,451 students attend Cottonwood High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
41% of Cottonwood High School students are White, 39% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Black, 6% of students are Asian, 5% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Cottonwood High School?
Cottonwood High School has a student ration of 23:1, which is higher than the Utah state average of 21:1.
What grades does Cottonwood High School offer ?
Cottonwood High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Cottonwood High School part of?
Cottonwood High School is part of Granite School District.
School Calendar
View the Cottonwood High School yearly calendar below.
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
Cottonwood High School is rapidly going downhill. The special education department is awful. They have no idea what they are doing, they do not work with the children that need special attention, they ignore IEP's and try to get by with spending as little time and money as possible. Absolutely horrendous. We have changed schools and I wouldn't send a child there nor recommend it to anyone.
5 10/10/2025
My kids have gone to Cottonwood and the have great leadership at the school. They have a great music program and they care about the students.
5 10/10/2025
Cottonwood is an incredible school. I loved going there and I still love supporting their sports teams. I hope more people will give this school a chance, it is incredible. It just gets a bad wrap because nearby Olympus steals our participative kids.
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