We also just moved "back" to SLC this past winter. My husband and myself were born here. We are not LDS but live in a community that has a pretty high ratio of LDS people. They have been very accepting and welcoming of us and our two young children (Kindergarten and 3rd grade). There is a huge stigma about 'LDS' people, some are judgmental but a lot aren't. They have great family values and I have no problem with my children being around any of the kids we have met. We LOVE the neighborhood we are in. The elementary school is great, William Penn elementary. The parents are very involved and the school is a good mix of academics and the arts. This is my 3rd graders favorite school that he has gone to. They learn a lot, but have a lot of fun at school as well. I don't really have any recommendations for preschool however.

I have worked a little with Woodrow Wilson Elementary in South Salt Lake. I think the diversity in religion as well as culture, language, etc. provides a very accepting atmosphere.

Thought you might find these two news stories about top schools in Utah of interest. They were just broadcast this past week.

www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=6223798
www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=690&sid=6744548

The neighborhood around Skyline High School is awesome! I highly recommend it. We live just down the street. The high school, jr. high and elementary school are all within walking distance. It is an older, more established neighborhood, but the people here really care about their kid's education and are very accepting of everyone. If you are searching for homes in this area, it is zip code 84109. Good luck!

This is not an easy one to answer so bear with me - this will take a while. There are many shades of gray when it comes to our kids' experiences here. We are not LDS and have lived here for 8 years with mixed experiences. As others have noted, many parents of non-LDS kids opt for private schools. There is a large and pretty good Catholic school system here but religion is very much a part of that curriculum. Waterford was mentioned and is a great school in the southeastern part of the valley. Roland Hall is another in the northeastern section. Both are VERY pricey. The public schools are crowded but are decent in our experience (with some being awesome). In general, you will find that the further south you live in the valley, the more LDS it is. The western part of the valley is generally more ethnically diverse and more middle class to blue collar. SLC (downtown, Sugarhouse, the Avenues) are very diverse religiously and much more liberal and accepting of differences. Park City also fits this description. In these areas (SLC metro and PC) the non-LDS question is generally not an issue. In other places it can be. My kids have both Mormon and non-LDS friends but there is DEFINITELY an awareness and most LDS kids hang out with each other and exclude (often unconsciously but sometimes very consciously) non-LDS kids. When they get to dating age, it is a VERY big issue. We started our kids out in catholic schools because of my experiences here back in high school as a non-LDS kid in the 70's was a nightmare. But, we opted for public schools after only one year because (ironically) the fact that we were not Catholic became an issue. The public schools were a decent experience but being non-LDS became an issue for our daughter in 5th grade (LDS kids are baptised in the 3rd or 4th grade and some become fanatic about it). We sent our kids to McGillis which is private secular school based on Jewish values. It was the right thing to do. They flourished with amazing teachers, smaller classrooms, excellent academics, socially aware policies, service to the community, and an amazing community of parents who welcomed us. The school only goes through 8th grade so our daughter is back in public school and is having mixed experiences again. She will be attending Skyline HS next year and we think it will be good based on many discussions with a variety of parents and students (we don't live in Skyline's district but it has open enrollment). Mormons can be very clannish and the fact that their church responsibilites and their social activities are heavily (and often exlcusively) built around their church ward can make their kids very closed to new kids and other cultures. To be fair, we love Utah and we have a few friends who are mormon who we love but the reality is that overall, many LDS kids are not that open or welcoming of non-LDS kids and even when they are, our kids tell us they feel a sense of "not belonging". It is probably one of the few places in the country where white middle class kids can feel like minorities just because they are non-LDS. That is not necessarily a bad thing and has taught our kids emphathy and an understanding of the subtle ways that people discriminate. You will find that religion is ALWAYS an issue here, but you will also find that it is an awesome place to live and that there are many people who are fighting against religion always being an issue. Hope this helps.

I could use your advice as well. After living in Louisiana most of my life, we are considering a move to Salt Lake City due to wonderful job opportunities for both us. We are not LDS and would prefer schools where my boys would not be judged. Do you know which school systems are the best around SLC?

You should take a look at the Waterford School, it is a private school that goes from Pre-K (age 3) all the way through Grade 12. Because it is a private school, with fantastic academics, many of the families are from out of state (relocated to Utah), and the student population is much more diverse than you will find in the general population. The school has small class sizes, awesome teachers, and a great liberal arts program including all the regular academic subjects like math, science, history, reading, writing, etc. but also with amazing art, dance, music and theater, programs.

I'm not in your position because I am LDS, but I can honestly say that I live in a great community that is very accepting of everyone, regardless of religious affiliation. I have 4 children (3 of which are in elem. or jr. high) and they all have several friends who are not LDS. I also have several myself. The schools here are top notch and parent involvement is very high. Religion has never been an issue here that I can see. We have lived here for 8 yrs. and wouldn't live anywhere else.

I am readying to move to SLC this summer, as well. I have a similar concern with regard to the religious surroundings and whether or not my two children will have problems because they do not have a religious affiliation.

I doubt that your children will feel that way from the LDS. It depends on the children and their family, but for the most part the Mormon people here are very nice and accepting. There will probably be some bad apples in every bushel, not everybody will be kind, but I don't think you need to worry too much about your children being bullied or being left out by the LDS. I am sure they will be fine.

I hope you don't mind if I clarify that by LDS you mean Latter Day Saints. (This website also has parents of students with LD's, meaning Learning Disabilities)