Education has always been more than classrooms and textbooks. It is the way a community invests in its future, shaping generations who will carry forward its values and ambitions. In Utah, one school district has carried that responsibility for well over a century, quietly growing in both size and influence while staying true to a simple idea: Learning First.
The Davis School District opened its doors in 1911 with just over 2,700 students. What began as a modest effort to organize and elevate public education has transformed into the state’s second-largest district, now serving nearly 70,000 students across 93 schools. Its expansion mirrors the growth of the region itself, but the story is not only about numbers. It is also about how the district has kept pace with change, both in society and in education.
Guided by the motto “Learning First,” the district has built its mission around student-centered education. This includes nurturing academic growth while also caring for emotional well-being and preparing young people for the world ahead. The vision that drives its work emphasizes dignity, evidence-based instruction, and strong community ties. Over the years, this has translated into tangible initiatives such as the High Reliability Schools framework, Teen Centers in each of its nine high schools, and the establishment of the Office of Equal Opportunity. Each step reflects an evolving focus on equity, safety, and inclusion.
Today, Davis School District continues to be a leader in Utah’s education landscape. Personalized learning, ongoing professional development for educators, and active engagement with families have all become part of its foundation. The district’s evolution tells a clear story: while its roots are over a hundred years deep, its eyes are firmly fixed on the future.
Academic Programs that Grow with Students
Strong schools meet students where they are, then open doors to what comes next. At Davis School District, the academic journey is designed to expand with each stage of learning, from the first steps in elementary classrooms to the more specialized paths of high school.
In the elementary years, students gain a firm foundation in literacy, math, science, and social studies. The district also believes that learning is richer when it includes creativity and movement, so fine arts, physical education, and early exposure to STEM are built into the experience. These early opportunities set the stage for curiosity and confidence that carry into later grades.
By middle school, coursework broadens to match students’ growing interests. World languages, computer science, and a variety of elective rotations allow them to explore new areas while continuing to strengthen core academic skills. This balance of structure and choice helps students discover where their talents and passions lie.
High school introduces even more opportunities. Students can challenge themselves through Advanced Placement courses, earn college credit with Concurrent Enrollment, or prepare for the workforce through Career and Technical Education pathways. Programs like the Davis Catalyst CTE magnet school highlight the district’s commitment to career readiness, while online learning options provide flexibility for different learning styles and life circumstances.
Across all grade levels, one theme remains constant: instruction is personalized, evidence-based, and aligned with Utah’s core standards. The result is a system that not only teaches but adapts, giving students the tools to succeed in school and beyond.
A Changing Student Body
Numbers tell part of the story, but in Davis School District, statistics also reveal how the community itself is changing. As of 2024, the district serves 69,602 students, holding its place as Utah’s second-largest. While enrollment has dipped slightly from 71,564 students in 2022, the district’s classrooms reflect a broader range of backgrounds and experiences than ever before.
Diversity is one of the most notable shifts. Students in the district now speak 76 different languages at home, with English, Spanish, and Marshallese among the most common. The Hispanic student population has grown from 11.5 percent in 2022 to 13.1 percent in 2024, while the Caucasian student population has declined slightly to 79.2 percent. These changes show a district that mirrors the evolving demographics of the region it serves.
Economic conditions also shape the student experience. In 2022, 15.7 percent of students qualified for free or reduced lunch. By 2024, that number rose to 21.4 percent, signaling the district’s increasing responsibility to support families facing financial challenges. Alongside these shifts, 13 percent of students receive special education services, and 4.7 percent are identified as multilingual learners.
Together, these statistics point to a clear reality: the district is serving a student body that is more diverse and more complex than in the past. Rather than viewing this as a challenge alone, Davis School District approaches it as an opportunity to strengthen its mission of inclusive, personalized education. Every number represents a story, and the district’s work is to ensure each story has the chance to thrive.
Meeting Students Where They Are
Every student learns differently, and Davis School District has built its approach around that truth. The district’s Personalized and Competency-Based Learning (PCBL) model makes sure instruction is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Instead, it adapts to academic needs, learning styles, and even non-academic factors that shape how students grow.
To make this possible, the district leans on data-driven tools. Systems like Power BI and the Harassment and Discrimination Reporting System (HDRS) allow educators to respond to student needs in real time. These tools help identify patterns, track progress, and guide decisions that keep learning on track for each individual.
Support extends beyond academics. Teen Centers provide safe spaces in high schools, mental health services offer critical care, and translation assistance ensures families can fully participate in their child’s education. By wrapping these resources around the classroom experience, the district makes learning accessible for everyone, no matter the challenge.
Equity also lives in the curriculum. Culturally responsive materials and inclusive teaching practices are prioritized, reflecting the diversity of the student body. Educators themselves receive professional learning that mirrors these values, giving them the skills to create classrooms where all students feel seen and supported.
Community Services That Go Beyond the Classroom
Education is not only about what happens during the school day. For Davis School District, supporting students means recognizing that learning is deeply tied to family life, health, and community stability. Through a wide network of services, the district works to meet those needs so that students can focus on their growth.
The Student & Family Resources Department anchors much of this work. Families can access mental health services, food and clothing assistance, and advocates who help them navigate challenges. Military-connected students receive dedicated support through a Military Support Team, ensuring that frequent moves or deployments do not interrupt their sense of belonging at school. The Davis Community Schools initiative adds another layer by connecting schools with wraparound services such as housing support, adult education, and health resources.
The Davis Education Foundation also plays a central role in removing barriers to learning. Its Teen Centers in every high school provide safe spaces for students experiencing homelessness, while programs such as hygiene kits, food support, and hardship grants address immediate needs. The Foundation also funds innovative classroom projects, full-day kindergarten, STEM, arts programs, and scholarships. Community support is vital to this effort, with annual events like a gala and golf tournament raising funds to sustain these initiatives. The Foundation’s Teen Center model has been so effective that it inspired the Utah Legislature to dedicate millions of dollars for similar centers across the state.
Innovation in career readiness is another hallmark of the district. The Catalyst Center, a magnet high school, offers profession-based learning in 17 different Career and Technical Education programs. Students earn certifications and concurrent enrollment credits while gaining real-world skills. The center currently serves 784 students, with another 375 on a waitlist. Its success has drawn statewide attention, leading the Utah Legislature to pass a grant program in 2024 to help other districts build their own catalyst centers and strengthen high-demand career pathways.
Partnerships extend into athletics as well. By working with Utah Special Olympics, the district has established Unified Sports teams in every high school, now expanding into junior highs. These teams ensure students with disabilities can compete, connect, and thrive alongside their peers.
Beyond the Classroom: Athletics and Enrichment
For many students, the lessons that last a lifetime happen after the final bell. Davis School District has built a tradition of excellence in athletics and enrichment that allows young people to grow as leaders, teammates, and community members.
Across its high schools, the district offers a wide spectrum of athletic programs that give students the chance to compete, develop discipline, and build school pride. Over the years, its teams have made their mark at the state level, bringing home championships in sports as varied as cross country, golf, swimming, football, and basketball. Volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer, wrestling, and tennis have also added to that record of achievement, creating a legacy that current athletes continue to carry forward.
These programs do more than fill trophy cases. They give students an outlet to channel their energy, a platform to test their resilience, and a community that celebrates teamwork. For the district, athletics are not a side note to education but an extension of it, another arena where students can learn, grow, and succeed.
Leadership That Sets the Standard
Running a district that serves nearly 70,000 students requires more than strong schools. It takes coordinated leadership, clear vision, and structures that keep every part of the system working together. At Davis School District, this responsibility rests with the Superintendent’s Executive Staff, a team that includes the superintendent, school directors, and 17 department heads. Meeting every other week, they focus on the ongoing needs of students, ensuring that decisions remain aligned with the district’s mission of putting learning first.
Training plays an equally important role in keeping the district strong. Monthly meetings bring together school leaders, department heads, office managers, and the Student Advisory Council to share insights and build skills. Leadership development is also nurtured from within through the district’s own Lead in Davis program. Here, emerging leaders learn directly from experienced mentors, with a focus on mindset, vision, duty to develop, interconnection, and introspection. This cycle of growth ensures that leadership is not just sustained but continually renewed.
Recognition has followed these efforts. For 41 consecutive years, the district has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, a national award that highlights the highest standards of transparency and accountability in government reporting. More recently, Davis School District earned 13 Best of State Medals in Utah’s 2025 competition, adding to a total of 47 medals since 2019, which is more than any other district in the state. Superintendent Dr. Dan Linford also leads beyond the district, serving as President of the Utah Superintendents Association.
A Commitment to Belonging and Inclusion
For Davis School District, belonging and inclusion are not abstract goals but daily responsibilities. The district believes that safety and belonging form the foundation of both emotional and academic growth. Administrators, teachers, and staff stand united in rejecting any form of harassment or discrimination, holding firm to the principle that even one negative experience is unacceptable.
To protect this standard, the district has created clear processes and systems to respond when issues arise. Central to this effort is the Harassment and Discrimination Reporting System, which allows students, families, staff, and community members to raise concerns quickly and securely. Each report is investigated immediately, with oversight provided by the Office of Equal Opportunity to ensure fairness and transparency.
Families also have the right to appeal if they feel the process or outcome is incomplete.This work extends across all aspects of school life, affirming the district’s promise to address discrimination tied to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or disability.
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“Educators, parents, and community members work together to create a successful educational experience for each student.”
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