320 students intend to return to revamped Granite

About 40 percent of the teens who could come back are expected to return to Granite High next year, data the school gathered this week show.

About 320 Granite High students have signed letters of intent to return to the revamped school without boundaries next year, where students can take regular high school offerings — sans competitive sports — or participate in academies planned in performing arts and career fields.

That's 118 incoming seniors, 104 juniors and 99 sophomores, said Paul Sagers, Granite District assistant superintendent of program services.

The school also could fill up otherwise, though.

As of Friday, officials hadn't heard from about 100 current Granite students as to their plans next school year.

Students from other schools may choose to transfer in.

Another 109 students in the young parents program might move to Granite High's building next year, so long as preparations are completed on time, Sagers said. Principal Rob McDaniel says that program could take up 14 to 15 rooms.

It's also unknown how many classrooms will be needed for a "newcomers" program to help immigrant students to get on their feet, McDaniel said.

And some students now at Central High might take advantage of some programs at the Granite High building, Sagers said.

All considered, including the school's typical student mobility, school bosses expect Granite High's building to house 350 to 400 students next fall.

The high school now enrolls 1,300.

But board President Patricia Sandstrom is hopeful all will turn out.

"I'm not surprised at the numbers. I'm a little disappointed in the community, that they didn't come through . . . (when they said) the important thing was to graduate from Granite," Sandstrom said. "I hope it will be a viable school. I hope it will be everything we told them it will be."

McDaniel is heartened by the numbers.

"I thought initially, when I heard kids and parents talk, it was going to be very, very low," possibly 20 percent of the possible returning students, McDaniel said. But interest is closer to 40 percent. "I think we have enough kids we can offer a good variety."