Waterford is a secular, independent, non-profit school that provides a liberal arts, college preparatory education for students in Preschool through Grade 12.
The 41-acre campus is located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City.
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.
The Waterford School is fully accredited by both Cognia and by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS).
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.
Board of Trustees
None/Secular
Challenging college-preparatory, liberal arts curriculum with Advanced Placement courses (17 AP courses offered), honors courses, fine arts, performing arts, and athletics.
Preschool through Grade 12: Lower School (PreK-Grade 5); Middle School (Grades 6-8); Upper School (Grades 9-12).
Total student enrollment for the 2024-25 school year: 1071, 48% male, 52% female
Lower School: 492Middle School: 246Upper School: 334Total 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.
Trimesters; School year typically begins the last week of August and concludes the first Thursday in June. Our Calendar is available here.
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.
8:1
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.
Historically, nearly 100% of graduating seniors attend 4-year colleges and universities. See College Counseling for more information about our graduates’ college choices.
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.
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.
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.