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5 Key Reasons Valley Junior High Utah Is Redefining Middle School Excellence In 2025-2026

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Valley Junior High School in West Valley City, Utah, is currently a focal point for the Granite School District, standing out not just for its LIGERS athletics but for a unique, comprehensive approach to student behavior and academic growth. As of December 2025, the school is deeply engaged in its winter sports season and preparing for a major spring arts production, all while maintaining its commitment to the Utah Behavior Initiative (UBI) model that supports every student's success.

The school, serving grades 7-8, has established itself as a community hub, focusing on a holistic educational experience that balances academic rigor with essential social-emotional learning. With recent data highlighting specific areas of student achievement and growth, Valley Junior High is actively implementing its Continual Improvement Plan to ensure students are prepared for high school and future college and career readiness. The following breakdown provides the most up-to-date profile and highlights of the school’s current activities.

Valley Junior High Utah: School Profile and Leadership

Valley Junior High, often referred to simply as VJHS, is a key institution within the Granite School District, serving the West Valley City community. The school's administration and facilities are dedicated to fostering a supportive and structured learning environment for its students.

  • School Name: Valley Junior High School
  • Location: 4195 South 3200 West, West Valley City, UT
  • School District: Granite School District
  • Grades Served: 7–8
  • Principal: Brian Murray
  • Mascot: LIGERS (Lions + Tigers)
  • Student Enrollment (Approx.): 568 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
  • Main Office Phone: (385) 646-5234
  • Core Philosophy: Utah Behavior Initiative (UBI) School

The LIGERS' Commitment to Positive Behavior and Growth

One of the most defining characteristics of Valley Junior High is its status as a Utah Behavior Initiative (UBI) school. This is not merely a program but a systematic framework designed to support all students through positive behavior supports. The UBI model is central to the school's culture, ensuring that students are welcomed and provided with the necessary tools to succeed both academically and socially.

The administration, led by Principal Brian Murray, emphasizes proactive strategies over reactive discipline. By focusing on teaching and reinforcing positive behaviors, the school aims to create a consistently safe and productive learning environment for its diverse student body. This focus is part of a broader effort to improve overall school climate and student outcomes, an ongoing process reflected in the school’s Continual Improvement Plan.

Recent data from the Utah School Report Card shows that VJHS students are making measurable progress. While the school is focused on improving college and career readiness, current achievement scores indicate a strong foundation: 57.1% in English Language Arts, 57.2% in Mathematics, and 69.5% in Science. These figures, measured by assessments like the SAGE Summative Assessment and Granite School District Benchmark Assessments, demonstrate the ongoing effort to raise academic standards across all core subjects.

Current and Upcoming Events: What's Happening in 2025–2026

Valley Junior High maintains a bustling calendar of events, with a strong focus on both athletics and the arts. The school's commitment to extracurricular activities provides students with vital opportunities for leadership, teamwork, and creative expression.

Winter Sports and LIGERS Athletics Updates (December 2025)

As the year closes, the VJHS LIGERS are deep into their winter sports schedule. The school’s athletics program is robust, offering competition teams in a variety of sports throughout the year. The LIGERS compete in Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, and Wrestling, fostering a strong sense of school pride and competitive spirit.

A specific highlight from the current calendar is the junior high basketball season. The Granite School District schedule shows active competition, including a recent match on Monday, December 1, 2025, where the Boys Basketball team played away at Kearns Jr., and the Girls Basketball team competed at Valley. These regular competitions are a key part of the student experience, encouraging discipline and physical fitness.

The Arts Spotlight: Theatre Department Prepares for a Major Spring Production

Beyond the gym, the Valley Junior High Theatre department is setting the stage for a highly anticipated spring event. Under the guidance of dedicated faculty, the drama program offers students a chance to explore performance and technical theatre skills.

The major upcoming production is a performance of the classic musical, Mary Poppins. The commitment to this large-scale production is evident in the current planning, with callback materials and schedules already announced. Students interested in a role have been preparing for callbacks, which are scheduled for the week of April 20–24, 2026. This spring musical is a significant annual event that showcases the artistic talent within the VJHS student body and provides a valuable opportunity for community engagement.

The Future of Education at Valley Junior High

The mission of Valley Junior High is intrinsically linked to the broader goals of the Granite School District: to prepare every student for success in a rapidly changing world. The school's ongoing efforts are focused on several key areas that will define its direction in the coming years.

Focus on College and Career Readiness

While VJHS serves grades 7 and 8, a core component of its strategy is laying the groundwork for high school and beyond. The Continual Improvement Plan explicitly identifies the need to enhance programs that prepare students for graduation and future career pathways. This involves integrating more rigorous coursework and providing counseling support that guides students toward relevant secondary school courses and future vocational or academic pursuits.

Leveraging the Utah Behavior Initiative (UBI) for Long-Term Success

The UBI framework is more than a temporary measure; it is a long-term investment in student well-being. By teaching students to manage their behavior and resolve conflicts constructively, Valley Junior High is equipping them with essential life skills that are critical for success in any high school, college, or workplace setting. This systematic support structure is a major entity that differentiates VJHS within the West Valley City educational landscape.

Community and Parental Involvement

The school strongly encourages parental and community involvement. Events like Parent Teacher Conferences, which were held in September, are crucial opportunities for teachers, parents, and guardians to collaborate on student progress. The school’s commitment to transparency and communication ensures that the community remains a vital partner in the students' educational journey.

Valley Junior High continues to be a dynamic and forward-thinking institution. Its unique blend of academic focus, a strong positive behavior initiative, and a vibrant extracurricular program—from LIGERS basketball to the upcoming Mary Poppins musical—solidifies its role as a cornerstone of the West Valley City community and a model for junior high excellence in Utah. The commitment of Principal Brian Murray and the entire Granite School District team ensures that VJHS students are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

5 Key Reasons Valley Junior High Utah is Redefining Middle School Excellence in 2025-2026
valley junior high utah
valley junior high utah

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