Iron County Schools & Education
Iron County, Utah
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
24/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
89.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 89.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,154
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,829
School Score
24/100
Higher = better
State avg 42/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#22
of 29 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Iron County
School Verdict
Iron County faces educational challenges with a school score of 24/100 and a graduation rate of 89.3%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $5,154 per pupil, Iron County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Iron County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 43% below the Utah average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 25% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Iron County, Utah
A Robust and Diverse Educational Network
Iron County supports a large student body of 13,607 across 20 public schools. The system is comprehensive, featuring 10 elementary schools, two middle schools, five high schools, and three specialized centers.
Solid Graduation Rates Despite Lean Funding
Iron County achieves an 89.3% graduation rate, which sits just above the Utah state average. This success comes despite a low per-pupil expenditure of $5,154, significantly trailing the national average of $13,000.
Iron District and Specialized Academies
The Iron District is the dominant provider with 18 schools and 12,739 students. Local families also benefit from the Success Academy and Gateway Preparatory Academy, which offer charter and specialized curricula to over 1,100 students.
A Blend of Town and Rural Learning
With 15 schools in town locales and 5 in rural areas, the county offers diverse learning environments. Southwest Educational Academy is the largest institution with 2,585 students, while many elementary schools maintain a more traditional feel.
Relocate to Iron County's Academic Hubs
Families often look for homes near Cedar City High to access the county's core educational resources. The combination of high graduation rates and diverse school types makes this a strong market for education-focused buyers.
School Overview
Total Schools
20
in Iron County
Total Enrollment
13,607
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
2
10% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Iron County
Iron District
Gateway Preparatory Academy
Success Academy
20 Public Schools in Iron County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Educational Academy | Iron District | KG–12 | Alternative | 2,585 |
| Cedar City High | Iron District | 9–12 | High | 1,366 |
| Canyon View High | Iron District | 9–12 | High | 1,123 |
| Cedar Middle | Iron District | 6–8 | Middle | 1,115 |
| Canyon View Middle | Iron District | 6–8 | Middle | 989 |
| Gateway Preparatory Academy | Gateway Preparatory Academy | KG–8 | Charter | 687 |
| Three Peaks School | Iron District | KG–5 | Primary | 643 |
| Cedar North School | Iron District | KG–5 | Primary | 636 |
| Iron Springs School | Iron District | KG–5 | Primary | 619 |
| Enoch School | Iron District | KG–5 | Primary | 593 |
| Cedar South School | Iron District | KG–5 | Primary | 565 |
| Cedar East School | Iron District | KG–5 | Primary | 551 |
| Fiddlers Canyon School | Iron District | KG–5 | Primary | 544 |
| Parowan School | Iron District | KG–6 | Primary | 420 |
| Parowan High | Iron District | 7–12 | High | 363 |
| Launch High | Iron District | 9–12 | High | 195 |
| Iron County Preschool | Iron District | PK | Special Education | 189 |
| Success SUU | Success Academy | 9–12 | Charter | 181 |
| Escalante Valley School | Iron District | PK–6 | Primary | 122 |
| Three Peaks Pre School | Iron District | PK | Special Education | 121 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,154
State avg $6,829
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Iron County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Iron County?
How much does Iron County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Iron County, Utah — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Iron County, Utah?
Iron County supports a large student body of 13,607 across 20 public schools. The system is comprehensive, featuring 10 elementary schools, two middle schools, five high schools, and three specialized centers.
How do schools in Iron County perform academically?
Iron County achieves an 89.3% graduation rate, which sits just above the Utah state average. This success comes despite a low per-pupil expenditure of $5,154, significantly trailing the national average of $13,000.
What are the major school districts in Iron County, Utah?
The Iron District is the dominant provider with 18 schools and 12,739 students. Local families also benefit from the Success Academy and Gateway Preparatory Academy, which offer charter and specialized curricula to over 1,100 students.
What is the school experience like in Iron County?
With 15 schools in town locales and 5 in rural areas, the county offers diverse learning environments. Southwest Educational Academy is the largest institution with 2,585 students, while many elementary schools maintain a more traditional feel.
How can I find homes near good schools in Iron County, Utah?
Families often look for homes near Cedar City High to access the county's core educational resources. The combination of high graduation rates and diverse school types makes this a strong market for education-focused buyers.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.