Sterling School

Sterling School is a large public elementary school in Tooele, serving prekindergarten through sixth grade and 772 students in an area where families may value access to a neighborhood school with a broad range of student needs. The school is part of Tooele District, which ranks at the 20th percentile statewide, while Sterling ranks at the 16th percentile and has a one-star rating.

Sterling’s academic results are below district and Utah averages in most tested areas. Mathematics is the clearest challenge: proficiency was 16.5% in third grade, 35.1% in fourth grade, 28.6% in fifth grade, and 12.8% in sixth grade. English language arts ranged from 24.0% in sixth grade to 35.0% in fifth grade. Science was a relative bright spot in fifth grade, where 44.1% of students were proficient—slightly above the district result—although fourth- and sixth-grade science results were weaker. Fourth- and fifth-grade mathematics improved in 2025–26, but third and sixth grades remain important areas for support. Sterling’s 20.0-to-1 student-teacher ratio is moderate locally, suggesting that class size alone does not explain the academic results.

Attendance is another important concern: 31.7% of Sterling students were chronically absent in 2024–25, compared with 27.0% across the district and 23.8% statewide. For comparison, Middle Canyon School, Stansbury Park School, and Rose Springs School have stronger statewide rankings and lower absenteeism, making them useful local benchmarks. Sterling generally performs better than Copper Canyon School and West School, but trails the stronger nearby schools. Overall, families should expect a school with some promising pockets—especially fifth-grade science—but with the greatest needs in mathematics, sixth-grade achievement, and consistent attendance.