Boundaries set for new Eagle Mountain middle school, what’s next?
Dec 18, 2024, 4:00 PM
Boundaries for the New Middle School in Eagle Mountain were officially approved. (Alpine School District)
(Alpine School District)
SALT LAKE CITY— Boundaries for a new Eagle Mountain middle school have been approved despite decisions about a splitting district and school closures.
The Alpine School District Board of Education unanimously approved the boundaries for New Middle School in a meeting Tuesday night. The approval comes after months of parent surveys, public feedback and neighborhood studies.
New Middle School Principal Brian Jolley said since announcing the news on Wednesday, they’ve received positive feedback from families.
“We’ve heard from lots of people that are excited to finally know what school their kids will be attending next year,” he said. “It’s been a really positive response.”
While moving to a new school can be exciting, Jolley expressed understanding for those who may find the change stressful.
“While they’re excited for the possibility of attending the new school or staying with their current school, there’s also legitimate fears and maybe even sadness because they’ve been part of this Frontier Middle School community for years,” said Jolley. “We recognize that it can be an exciting, but also a difficult time for kids.”
The school, which will be part of the West District, is on track to open for the 2025-26 school year.
Once complete, it will serve around 1500 students in Eagle Mountain. Black Ridge, Brookhaven, Pony Express, Cedar Valley, and Hidden Hollow elementary schools will feed into the new school.
Next steps now that boundaries are set
Setting the school boundaries opens the door to start working on other necessary decisions.
“We have reached out to every family that has students K through 8 in the new boundary, and we’ve asked for them to provide us possible names and mascots and colors for the new school,” said Jolley.
He said once those surveys are compiled, they will make recommendations to the board of education.
Other decisions in the works include ordering furniture, finishing construction and hiring a staff that they hope will be finalized in the spring.
“There’s just so much to do but it’s exciting,” he said.
District changes didn’t delay the decisions
Boundary decisions were discussed while the county was deciding whether or not to split the Alpine School District into three.
Despite the major changes, Principal Jolley said it didn’t disrupt their process.
“We knew … when we started the boundary process back in early fall that a vote was going to be happening, and it didn’t impact the boundary at all,” explained Jolley. “We haven’t let the new lines for a district impact what we’re doing. . . No matter what district we’re going to be a part of, we’re excited to serve students here in Eagle Mountain.”
