Uintah River High School Information

Background: The Uintah River High School (URHS) was established in 1997 as an alternative high school, grades 10-12, designed to address the high drop out rate of Ute students.  URHS received its initial charter in 1999 to operate within the Uintah School District.  It was originally chartered under the name of Uintah River Alternative High School, but that name was changed in the same year to Uintah River High School.  Currently, the school is a state licensed charter high school for grades 9-12 within the state of Utah’s public school system and it operates as a local education agency (LEA).  URHS is the only state initiative specifically addressing the problems of Indian Education. 

The school’s vision statement:

We will create strong leaders who have great pride in their cultural identity and have been provided the highest quality education. We will produce lifelong learners, who can be successful in all endeavors. Our graduates will be diverse thinkers who are competent, confident, respectful young adults. 

The mission statement is:

Curriculum: Originally, students could take courses in English/language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, the arts, information technology, physical education, and healthy lifestyles.  Field trips were taken to Dinosaur National Monument, symphonies, ballets, and drama performances.  A School-to-Careers program took students to colleges, universities, applied technology centers, and provided apprenticeships and employment preparation training.  The school supported a class in golf and fielded teams in girls’ volleyball and boys’ and girls’ basketball.

Presently, four full time teachers are employed to teach in the areas of English and language arts, mathematics, social sciences, and science.  In addition some of these teachers teach computer studies and weight-training.  Part-time instructors teach Ute Language and Culture, health and drug awareness, and arts classes.

The teachers and administration have adopted a goal to have all students read and comprehend at or above grade level.  One part of their plan is to use the Star Reading program, a computer based reading program developed by the Renaissance Learning Company.  This program allows the teachers to check the students’ reading progress on a regular basis and the program provides guidance on the areas of reading that need to be improved.  The school personnel have purchased the mathematics program to help students improve their mathematics skills.

 Students have participated in a vocational course where they helped to rebuild structures at the Youth Camp, now the Jay Groves Education Center; in a science course that had students actively engaged in studying the Uintah River watershed; in a cinematography course that included a trip to the Sundance Film Festival; and in the Nah Nuh Mah club that is raising money for students to attend a Native American Student Leadership Conference.  The school is participating in a state sponsored gang prevention program.  Both girls’ and boys’ basketball teams actively participate in regional league play. 

Facilities:  URHS is still housed in its original location: a refurbished corner of a warehouse.  Recent improvements include carpeting the commons area, installation of an extensive weights room, new student lab tables in the science room, and internet access updates.  A large donation to stabilize the school will be used to deepen the Ute culture and language program, with input from the Ute Language and Culture Program Director; to increase the numbers and broaden the subject areas of books in the library; make needed school repairs; to provide landscaping; to purchase Native American art posters; and to upgrade the technology in the school.  The school administrator continues to search for funds through individual and government grants to support the students, instructional improvements, and the school facilities.