SCHOOL HISTORY

Granite Park Middle School is located in the central part of the Granite School District and the Salt Lake Valley.  The school first opened its doors on February 13, 1961 at the original location of 450 East 3700 South.  Prior to this date, students in this area attended the old Granite Junior High located in part of what is now Granite High School.  In June of 2001, the Granite District moved the location of Granite Park to the old Central Junior High building (3031 South 200 East).  This building was constructed in 1950 and required extensive upgrades.  Students of Granite Park began the 2001-2002 school year with one working restroom, missing ceiling tiles, and several unfinished areas.  Major improvements have been made since then, providing a wonderful environment for education.

Other changes have occurred at Granite Park.  Middle Level school philosophies have been an important part of the district's long term focus.  As a result, in June, 2003, Granite Park intiated a pilot program for the district.  Granite Park was changed to a 7th and 8th grade configuration, moving ninth graders to Granite High School.  The successfull pilot program was fundamentally changed at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year when the district made the decision to move the ninth graders back to Granite Park.  Granite Park continues to maintain a strong Middle School philosophy.

The population of Granite Park Middle School reflects the vast cultural and economic diversity within the community of South Salt City.  Economically, the majority of students come from low income and poverty stricken homes.  There are many single parent homes.  The transient rate remains stable.  Before the pilot program instituted in June, 2003, Granite Park was referred to by some as “Ghetto Park” because of lowest test scores, highest failure rate, highest mobility rate, highest safe school and suspension rate in the district.  As a result of the pilot program, Granite Park Middle School became a nationally ranked “School of Success”.  "School of Success" is defined for a school which accomplished the highest gains in test scores, decrease in mobility rate, decrease in suspensions, and decrease in truancy issues.  This success continues with a strong committment from students, staff, community, school district, mission statement, and beneficial action plans which have been implemented for the benefit of each student's education.