St. George Utah Schools

Today Washington County School District provides public education for more than 18,277 students. There are 19 elementary schools, 4 middle schools and 6 high schools. The main location of these schools is in St. George. In addition, St. George is the home of Dixie State College, which serves over 5,000 students.

Before homes were built in the valley, the people of the new settlement were concerned about education. School was first held in the back of buckboards and in many different types of temporary shelters. The first school was built in Virgin in 1860. By 1901, the area school was offering two years of high school education. In 1911, the first college was founded which comprised of only one building. It was named the St. George Stake Academy but later took on the name, Dixie College, and is now known as Dixie State College.

As St. George continues to grow, the need for modern, efficient schools has also grown. As a result of the growth in population, many of the elementary and middle school students attend classes on a year round educational program. Year round school consists of four track schedules, which alternate time off. At any given time, three tracks are attending and one track is off. High school students have not yet been placed on the tracking system. In addition, specialty programs are available through the public school system including remedial and gifted programs, health services and an in-school lunch program for elementary students.