Education

College / University

University of Utah

The University of Utah is the flagship institution of the Utah System of Higher Education and one of the oldest public universities west of the Missouri River. Originally founded as the University of Deseret in 1850, it was renamed in 1892.

• Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
• Founded: 1850
• Mascot: Utes (Swoop the red-tailed hawk)
• Colors: Crimson red and white
• Enrollment: ~36,881 students
• Campus: 1,534 acres near the Wasatch Range

Notable facts:

• Research — Carnegie R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity
• Athletics — Member of the Big 12 Conference
• Innovation — Birthplace of the first artificial heart implant (1982)
• Tech — ARPANET node in 1969, helping create the internet's foundation

Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) is Utah's largest two-year institution and one of the largest community colleges in the western United States, serving over 30,000 students.

• Location: Salt Lake County, Utah
• Founded: 1948
• Mascot: Bruins (Brutus the Bruin Bear)
• Colors: Royal blue and gold
• Programs: 200+ degree and certificate programs

Campuses: Taylorsville Redwood (main), South City, Jordan, Miller, and Herriman (joint with U of U).

High School

Olympus High School

Olympus High is a public high school in the Granite School District. The school opened in 1953 and got a brand new campus in 2013 with state-of-the-art amenities.

• Location: 4055 S. 2300 East, Holladay, Utah
• Founded: 1953
• Grades: 9-12
• Mascot: Titans
• Colors: Green and gray

Historic football rivalry with Skyline High School, competing for "The Rock" (Olympus leads 30-27-1). Basketball state championships: 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024.

Notable alumni:

• John Warnock (1958) — Co-founder of Adobe Systems
• Karl Rove (1969) — Former Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush
• David Zabriskie (1997) — Professional road bicycle racer

Junior High / Middle School

Olympus Junior High School

Located at 2217 E. Murray Holladay Road, Olympus Junior High is part of the Granite School District and serves as a feeder school for Olympus High School.

• Location: Holladay, Utah
• Grades: 7-9

Evergreen Junior High School

Evergreen Junior High serves students in the Millcreek and Holladay areas, emphasizing academic preparation alongside social and emotional programming.

• Location: Millcreek / Holladay, Utah
• Grades: 7-9

Elementary School

William Penn Elementary School

William Penn Elementary is part of the Granite School District, serving students in kindergarten through sixth grade with a focus on foundational academic skills.

• Location: Millcreek, Utah
• Grades: K-6

The Salt Lake Valley

All of these schools are in the eastern suburbs of Salt Lake City, nestled against the Wasatch Mountains. Growing up here meant ski resorts 30 minutes away, hiking trails in the foothills, and a strong sense of community throughout the school system.