The study assesses impacts of population growth and migration status on academic performance and participation of 1,743 white high school seniors from primarily nonmetropolitan areas of Utah. Data from a survey of the state's 1980 graduating seniors are employed in the analysis. Indicators of academic performance are the number of organizations in which respondents participated and self-reported grade point average (GPA). Migration status, sex, religious preference, and socioeconomic background are included in multivariate analyses of the relationships. Comparisons between migrants and natives in rapidly and nonrapidly growing communities indicate lower rates of participation and lower GPAs for newcomers in rapid growth communities only. High school seniors in rapidly growing areas were less likely to participate in extra curricular organizations but did not report lower GPAs than students in moderate or slowly growing areas. The religious preference of students (Mormon vs. non-Mormon) rather than community growth or migration status shows significant positive impacts on participation of high school students in nonmetropolitan areas of Utah. Findings of this study have some implications for emphasizing that the well-established and shared belief system of Mormons and the life style oriented around it provide strong power to conform to the gemeinschaft quality of life in nonmetropolitan communities of Utah. (NEC)