Wasatch County School District (WCSD) has been named Utah’s 2025 Best of State winner in the Educational Institution category, recognizing the district’s exceptional achievement, innovative practices, and profound contributions to the quality of life in Utah.
The Best of State Awards honor outstanding individuals, businesses, and organizations that inspire others through excellence and innovation. WCSD stood out among nominees across all fields for its system-wide commitment to high-impact Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), measurable academic gains, and its relentless focus on equity, innovation, and student success.
“This award is a reflection of our incredible educators, students, and community,” said Superintendent Paul Sweat. “We’ve built a culture that believes every student can succeed—and we’ve done the hard work to back that belief with systems, support, and results.”
Under WCSD’s leadership, the district rose from 28th to 1st in the state in Language Arts and from 33rd to 3rd in Math. Most recently, it was designated a national Model PLC District by Solution Tree, a distinction held by less than 1% of districts nationwide. Wasatch also earned recognition in the 2025 Harvard-Stanford Education Recovery Scorecard as the only district in Utah to demonstrate academic growth in both math and reading since the pandemic.
“In Wasatch, we don’t accept the idea that some kids can’t learn,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Garrick Peterson. “We use data to drive decisions, build adult capacity, and innovate at every level—because our students deserve nothing less.”
Judged independently by over 100 experts and verified by certified public accountants, the Best of State selection process evaluated nominees on achievement (50%), innovation (30%), and community contribution (20%). As a medal winner, WCSD will be honored at the Best of State Gala in Salt Lake City and is now eligible for the prestigious BOSS (Best of State Statue) Award.
“We are incredibly proud of this recognition,” said Board of Education President Kim Dickerson. “It’s an affirmation of the work our teachers and leaders are doing every day to ensure Wasatch County students are thriving. This is more than an award—it’s a celebration of what’s possible in public education.”
Resources:
Change in Math Achievement 2019-2024 by Percent FRPL in Utah Districts showing Wasatch’s exceptional growth of 1.02 grade levels
Change in Reading Achievement 2019-2024 by Percent FRPL in Utah Districts showing Wasatch as the only district with growth
Side-by-side comparison of Wasatch vs Utah RISE performance across all demographic subgroups
Performance comparison between Wasatch, Utah state average, and similar districts showing Wasatch’s growth
Official Harvard-Stanford Education Recovery Scorecard documenting Wasatch as the only Utah district to show positive growth
Comprehensive collection of NAEP and RISE achievement data showing Wasatch’s exceptional performance gains
Wasatch County School District Recognized as a Model PLC at Work District by Solution Tree
One of Only 32 Districts in the US and Canada – and the First District in Utah – to Receive This Honor
HEBER CITY, UT: Wasatch County School District (WCSD) is proud to announce its designation as a Model PLC at Work district by Solution Tree, a leading professional development organization focused on fostering collaborative learning environments.
This prestigious recognition highlights the district’s outstanding commitment to Professional Learning Community (PLC) principles, demonstrated through impactful staff collaboration and resulting in significant student achievement gains.
Professional Learning Communities are schools and districts where educators understand that the key to improving student learning lies in ongoing, job-embedded professional development for the adults serving those students. The three core ideas of a Professional Learning Community call for educators to:
- Focus on learning.
- Build a collaborative culture.
- Adopt a results-oriented approach.
According to WCSD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Garrick Peterson, “We are deeply honored to receive recognition as a Model PLC at Work district from Solution Tree. This accomplishment reflects the dedication and collaborative efforts of our teachers and staff, who remain committed to delivering the highest quality education for every student.”
WCSD Superintendent Paul Sweat highlighted the role the Board of Education plays in student success. “We want to thank our Board of Education for prioritizing teacher compensation, and allowing for for Professional Development Days throughout the year so they can build their capacity in a way that best supports the achievement of students in their care,” Superintendent Sweat said.
Key Highlights of WCSD’s Professional Learning Community Journey
- Deep-rooted Collaboration:
Teachers across the district regularly engage in collaborative planning, data analysis, and reflection, ensuring all students receive targeted instruction aligned with high expectations. - Focus on Student Learning:
There is a consistent focus on student learning goals, with teachers using data to monitor progress and adjust instructional strategies as needed, leading to measurable improvements in student outcomes. - Continuous Professional Development:
Staff participate in ongoing professional development to refine their Professional Learning Community skills and deepen their understanding of effective collaborative practices.
“I am so grateful for the relationships across the district,” said Midway Elementary Principal Jennie Mecham of the way Professional Learning Community are employed to connect grade-level teams at each school. “We’re striving to get better, not because it’s a competition between schools, but because it’s a collaboration. We realize until we have 100% of our kids at high levels of learning, we still have work to do.”
Districts are recognized based on strict criteria, including a sustained commitment to Professional Learning Community concepts, three or more years of implementation, and clear evidence of improved student learning. Once measurable results are achieved, districts must explain their practices, structures, and culture, and submit an application for review by the Professional Learning Community Review Committee.
According to the Champions of PLC at Work®, recognized schools and districts demonstrate “a sustained commitment to helping all students achieve at high levels. They are willing to alter their structure and culture to reflect that commitment. We applaud and congratulate them on reaching this significant milestone in their Professional Learning Community journey.”
Mike Mattos, co-creator of the Response to Intervention (RTI) at Work approach that informs the Professional Learning Community process, shared a personal message to WCSD:
“To the school board, district and site leadership, teachers, parents, and students—it took all of you working hand-in-hand to achieve this. Especially the teachers, whose weekly collaboration teams are where the rubber hits the road, as they continually work to improve their practices and support student success. Administrators and support staff have worked alongside them every step of the way.”
Recognized Model Professional Learning Community districts are listed on allthingsplc.info, where they share their implementation strategies, structures, and performance data to help other educators improve their schools. The site also offers collaboration tools, articles, research, blog posts, and other resources. Solution Tree, a leader in educational strategies, developed and maintains the site. For over 25 years, Solution Tree has helped K-12 teachers and administrators create schools where all students succeed.
###
About Wasatch County School District
Established in 1898, the mission of Wasatch County School District is to ensure all students obtain all the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that will enable them to reach their personal goals and be a productive contributing member of our society. WCSD serves more than 7,400 students at eight schools, including Daniels Canyon Elementary, Heber Valley Elementary, J.R. Smith Elementary, Midway Elementary, Old Mill Elementary, Wasatch Learning Academy, Rocky Mountain Middle School, Timpanogos Middle School, and Wasatch High School.
About Solution Tree:
For more than 25 years, Solution Tree has worked to transform education worldwide, empowering educators to raise student achievement. With more than 30,000 educators attending professional development events and more than 10,000 professional development days in schools each year, Solution Tree helps teachers and administrators confront essential challenges. Solution Tree has a catalog of more than 600 titles, along with hundreds of videos and online courses, and is the creator of Global PD Teams and Avanti, online learning platforms that facilitate the work of teachers and educators. Follow @SolutionTree on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more about Solution Tree.
Fox 13's Cool School Visit to WHS Sept. 11, 2024
