Quick Facts

The School

Waterford is a secular, independent, non-profit school that provides a liberal arts, college preparatory education for students in Preschool through Grade 12.

Location

The 41-acre campus is located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City.

History

The Waterford School was founded in 1981 by Nancy and Dustin Heuston. The Waterford School was originally established as a research school, pairing the great lessons of a classical liberal arts education with the benefits of the latest computer technology, and proved successful: In 1986, the Heustons moved Waterford from its rented campus in Provo, UT to a newly constructed campus in Sandy, UT, where you find it today.    

Nancy Heuston served as the founding Head from 1981-2015. Mrs. Heuston’s extraordinary vision and drive allowed the School to build out its beautiful campus, and to establish the vibrant educational culture that now exists. In 2015, Andrew Menke was appointed as Waterford’s second Head of School, bringing renewed focus to the School’s academics, athletics and arts programs.

Accreditation

The Waterford School is fully accredited by both Cognia and by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS). 

Membership

Waterford is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Independent School Data Exchange (INDEX), and the only school in Utah to have the distinction as a chapter member of the prestigious Cum Laude Society.

Governance

Board of Trustees

Religious Affiliation

None/Secular  

Academic Program

Challenging college-preparatory, liberal arts curriculum with Advanced Placement courses (17 AP courses offered), honors courses, fine arts, performing arts, and athletics.

Grades

Preschool through Grade 12: Lower School (PreK-Grade 5); Middle School (Grades 6-8); Upper School (Grades 9-12).

Students

Total student enrollment for the 2024-25 school year: 1071, 48% male, 52% female

Lower School: 492
Middle School: 246
Upper School: 334
Total Enrollment for opening day 2024-25: 1071

39% of the total Waterford student body identify as students of color in 2024-25.

Nearly 17% of students enrolled receive financial aid in 2024-25.

Calendar

Trimesters; School year typically begins the last week of August and concludes the first Thursday in June. Our Calendar is available here

Schedule

8:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Lower School: Students receive core academic instruction from homeroom teachers; additionally students meet with specialists for 30 to 45 minute periods in science, art, music, dance, physical education, computer lab and library

Middle and Upper School: Students meet for 4 class periods each day (75 minute periods with 10 minutes between classes); 1 hour lunch period. Each class meets 2-3 times per week.

Student/Teacher Ratio

8:1

Faculty

131 full- and part-time teachers. More than 35% of the distinguished faculty at Waterford has an average tenure of 10 years. 61% of the faculty hold advanced degrees.

Graduates


Historically, nearly 100% of graduating seniors attend 4-year colleges and universities. See College Counseling for more information about our graduates’ college choices.

Athletics

Upper School athletic teams participate in the Utah High School Activities Association Division IIA. Waterford holds 58 State Championships in 10 different varsity sports.

Upper School athletics teams include Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Women’s Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse and Rowing.

Middle School athletic teams compete in the Wasatch Athletics Conference (comprised of private schools along the Wasatch front). Competition teams include Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball, Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse, Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country, Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer, and Girls’ Volleyball.

Arts

The Arts are an integral part of the Waterford curriculum. Arts education begins in Preschool with dance, art, and music specialists. All Middle and Upper School students are required to complete courses in the performing (music, dance or theater) and studio arts departments.

Bus Transportation​

Waterford School provides three bus service routes to serve families in Salt Lake City, Park City and Utah County. Buses arrive at Waterford by 8:20 AM each morning and leave the school at 3:45 PM.  There is also an evening activities bus that departs from Waterford daily at 6:15 PM, making two stops in Olympus Cove and Jeremy Ranch.  Please contact the Admissions Office for more detailed route information and the monthly cost of service.