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Below Average

#352 of 412 schools in AK

Highland Academy Charter

High School · Anchorage School District

5530 E Northern Lights Ste 1, Anchorage, AK 99504

Charter

Enrollment

178

Student-Teacher

22.2:1

Score

4.8

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#352 of 412

In Anchorage

#62 of 78

public schools

In district

#77 of 93

Anchorage School District

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Highland Academy Charter

4.8/10

High School in Anchorage · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Alaska State School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Nearby

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

College Gate Elementary

6.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highland Academy Charter

Highland Academy Charter is a public high school in Anchorage, AK, part of Anchorage School District. Highland Academy Charter serves approximately 178 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 22.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Academy Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #352 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Academy Charter show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • AK avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 178 students, Highland Academy Charter is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Highland Academy Charter runs 22.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Highland Academy Charter is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.84 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-15.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness5.5Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate49.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,636
Chronic Absenteeism33.1%

Highland Academy Charter — Students at Highland Academy Charter score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from AK state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
32%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.

How Highland Academy Charter Compares

See how Highland Academy Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
15th percentile in AK
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.1%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5530 E Northern Lights Ste 1, Anchorage, AK 99504

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Academy Charter may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Benny Benson Alternative High School (rated 6.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School (rated 5.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Anchorage, see our Anchorage schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Alaska State School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Anchorage 0.0 mi
College Gate Elementary Anchorage 0.3 mi 6.6
Nunaka Valley Elementary Anchorage 0.7 mi 4.7
ANCHORAGE WALDORF SCHOOL Anchorage 0.4 mi 6.7
Baxter Elementary Anchorage 0.5 mi 4.1
Winterberry School Anchorage 0.6 mi 6.5
Benny Benson Alternative High School Anchorage 1.1 mi 6.0
Ptarmigan Elementary Anchorage 1.4 mi 5.1
Russian Jack Elementary Anchorage 0.9 mi 3.8
Wonder Park Elementary Anchorage 1.8 mi 4.6
Williwaw Elementary Anchorage 1.4 mi 4.8
Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School Anchorage 1.1 mi 5.6
Alaska Native Cultural Charter School Anchorage 1.1 mi 6.2
Scenic Park Elementary Anchorage 1.1 mi 7.1
Chester Valley Elementary Anchorage 1.2 mi 4.1
Nicholas J. Begich Middle School Anchorage 1.5 mi 4.1
Susitna Elementary Anchorage 1.3 mi 5.5
Whaley School Anchorage 1.4 mi 4.4
Anchorage STrEaM Academy Anchorage 1.3 mi 8.6
Creekside Park Elementary Anchorage 1.9 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,338

Median Home Value

$309,200

Median Rent

$1,529/mo

Population

41,684

College Educated

30.6%

Homeownership

66.9%

Avg Commute

19.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.4%

Median Age

34.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Glennallen Jr/Sr High School Glennallen, AK 5.1
Burchell High School Wasilla, AK 5.2
Effie Kokrine Charter School Fairbanks, AK 5.2
S.A.V.E. High School Anchorage, AK 5.3
Seward High School Seward, AK 5.3
Susitna Valley High Talkeetna, AK 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Academy Charter

What grades does Highland Academy Charter serve?

Highland Academy Charter serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Highland Academy Charter?

Highland Academy Charter has an enrollment of approximately 178 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Academy Charter?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Academy Charter is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Academy Charter rank in AK?

Highland Academy Charter ranks #352 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Highland Academy Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Academy Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Highland Academy Charter?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Academy Charter has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Highland Academy Charter a charter school?

Yes, Highland Academy Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Highland Academy Charter a Title I school?

No, Highland Academy Charter is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
67 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
178
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Anchorage Municipality
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.1%
4-Year Graduation
49.5%

District

Anchorage School District
District Enrollment
43,363
Schools in District
94
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,636
District Rank
#77 of 93

How we rate schools

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