From Deseret News archives:

Mythbusting: Are the stereotypes about east-side and west-side schools really true?

Published: Sunday, July 15, 2007 12:32 a.m. MDT
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Mariotti wonders if the results illustrate the high schools' philosophy. Mainly, is it better for advanced programs to cast a wider net — capturing potentially first-generation college students who may or may not pass an AP test for college credit — or the more traditional lines to high-scoring kids practically guaranteed to be successful?

Skyline, for instance, has its own support system with advanced and gifted programs placed in feeder schools, better preparing students for the international baccalaureate program, Mariotti said. Hunter hasn't had that.

"I'm owning this," said Mariotti, who has worked in schools on both sides of the valley. "I need to address this, and I am."

West-side schools are full of minority students; the east side is "white bread."

Jordan: Partially busted.

Granite: Partially confirmed.

The number of minority students in Jordan is virtually equal on both sides of the valley. But Granite has much greater diversity on its west side.

In Jordan, minorities in its east-side schools account for 13.2 percent of enrollment, compared to 13.5 percent on the west side — virtually the same.

However, much of the east-side diversity appears to be concentrated in one big pocket around Midvale, an area with lower-cost housing that is more affordable to recent immigrants.

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For example, Midvale Elementary has by far the highest percentage of minorities of any school in the district — 83 percent.

The rates for some other Midvale-area schools include: Copperview Elementary, 48 percent; East Midvale Elementary, 37 percent; and Midvale Middle School, 35 percent.

About half of all east-side Jordan schools could truly be considered "white bread," with fewer than 10 percent being minorities (the lowest is 2.7 percent at Granite Elementary in Sandy). But about half of west-side schools also have fewer than 10 percent minorities (the lowest is 3.9 percent at Foothills Elementary in Riverton).

In Granite, minorities on the west side account for 35.8 percent of enrollment, almost double the east side's 16.9 percent. Again, minorities tend to cluster in areas with the most affordable housing, which often tend to be in west-side areas in that district.

Affluent areas on both sides of the valley tend to have fewer minorities, while areas with lower-cost housing tend to have more.

The east side has more and better special facilities, such as swimming pools and greenhouses.

Granite: Busted

Jordan: Mixed data.

In Granite, especially, it appears the west has more such facilities.

Recent comments

It is selfishness on the part of east side communities to ignore the...

Janet Brough | Sept. 5, 2007 at 3:38 p.m.

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Robert Noyce, Deseret Morning News

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