Cedar High faces classification challenges as schools petition for new divisions

The Washington County School District held an open session on November 25, 2024, focusing on school classifications and athletic success metrics. A significant topic of discussion was the classification system for high schools, particularly regarding the ability of schools to petition for changes in their competitive classifications based on enrollment numbers and socioeconomic factors.

During the meeting, it was noted that Cedar High School is currently classified as 4A and is unable to petition to move down to 3A due to its position below the classification cutoff line. In contrast, schools above this line, such as Spanish Fork, can petition to move up to 6A. The discussion highlighted that only one school, Cedar High, is below the cutoff, while several others, including Crimson and Snow Canyon, are positioned to potentially move up.

The classification system also considers socioeconomic factors, specifically free and reduced lunch rates. Schools with high rates may petition to move down a classification. For example, Granger High School, despite having the enrollment numbers to qualify for 6A, is classified as 5A due to its socioeconomic status.

The meeting also introduced a new athletic success metric, which ranks schools based on their performance in various sports. Ridgeline High School was identified as the most successful overall, with Snow Canyon and Desert Hills following closely. In football, Crimson High School ranked first, indicating strong athletic performance.

The district plans to hold a public hearing on December 4, 2024, where schools wishing to petition for classification changes will have the opportunity to present their cases. This hearing will allow schools to address the board for two to three minutes, depending on the number of petitions submitted.

Overall, the discussions underscored the complexities of school classifications and the impact of socioeconomic factors on athletic opportunities within the Washington County School District. The upcoming public hearing will be a crucial step in determining the future classifications of several schools.