Average
#5023 of 9,533 schools in CA
North Star Academy
School · Amador County Unified
217 Rex Ave., Jackson, CA 95642
Enrollment
44
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
44
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jackson
#3 of 10
public schools
California schools
#176 of 475
In district
#4 of 12
Amador County Unified
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About North Star Academy
North Star Academy is an alternative school located in the rural town of Jackson, California. With a total enrollment of just 44 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22 to 1, North Star provides a small and personalized learning environment. The school covers grades from kindergarten through twelfth grade, offering a unique educational experience for its diverse group of learners.
North Star Academy’s academic performance is currently in the lower third percentile among California schools, with only 29% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency levels in English Language Arts and Reading, and just 16% achieving proficiency in math. While these scores indicate there's room for growth, the school focuses on nurturing individual student development and providing personalized support to help each child succeed. The setting of North Star Academy is a serene rural area near Jackson, offering students a peaceful environment conducive to learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 44 students, North Star Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at North Star Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at North Star Academy is 22:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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North Star Academy — Students at North Star Academy score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.5/10.
How North Star Academy Compares
See how North Star Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 9.52% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 38.1% (2024).
Location
217 Rex Ave., Jackson, CA 95642
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Star Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Amador High (rated 6.9/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Sutter Creek), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Argonaut High (rated 6.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Independence High (Continuation) (rated 6.1/10), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Jackson, see our Jackson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Independence High (Continuation) Jackson | 0.0 mi | 6.1 |
| County Community Jackson | 0.0 mi | — |
| Amador High Sutter Creek | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Sutter Creek Elementary Jackson | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Argonaut High Jackson | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Chrystian school of Education Jackson | 1.6 mi | — |
| Jackson Junior High Jackson | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Amador County Special Education Jackson | 2.4 mi | — |
| Jackson Elementary Jackson | 2.7 mi | 3.5 |
| MONARCH MONTESSORI Plymouth | 7.4 mi | — |
| Plymouth Elementary Jackson | 7.4 mi | 3.2 |
| Ione Elementary Ione | 6.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Ione Junior High Jackson | 7.1 mi | 4.3 |
| COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pine Grove | 7.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Mokelumne Hill Elementary Mokelumne Hill | 8.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Pine Grove Elementary STEM Magnet Jackson | 8.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Toyon Middle Valley Springs | 11.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Valley Springs Elementary Valley Springs | 13.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Oakendell Community San Andreas | 12.9 mi | — |
| Heritage Oaks Academy El Dorado | 14.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95642 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,000
Median Home Value
$470,700
Median Rent
$1,384/mo
Population
7,350
College Educated
22.7%
Homeownership
68.7%
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Median Age
51.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Star Academy has a median household income of $85,000. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $470,700, with a median rent of $1,384/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Stockton, CA | 6.2 |
| IRINE M HUNT SCHOOL OF MARIN San Anselmo, CA | 6.2 |
| Monarch Academy Mariposa, CA | 6.2 |
| ST JOHN OF SAN FRANCISCO ORTHODOX ACADEMY San Francisco, CA | 6.2 |
| CYPRESS SCHOOL Petaluma, CA | 6.3 |
| GUIDE ACADEMY Anaheim, CA | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Star Academy
What grades does North Star Academy serve?
North Star Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend North Star Academy?
North Star Academy has an enrollment of approximately 44 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Star Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at North Star Academy is 22:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Star Academy rank in CA?
North Star Academy is ranked #5023 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is North Star Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
North Star Academy has a composite rating of 6.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at North Star Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Star Academy has 16.4% math proficiency and 29.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Star Academy a charter school?
No, North Star Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Star Academy a Title I school?
No, North Star Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Star Academy?
40.9% of students at North Star Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,970/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Jackson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 44
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.9%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Amador County
- Phone
- (209) 257-7773
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Amador County Unified- District Enrollment
- 4,075
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,551
- District Rank
- #4 of 12
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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