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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics3.5Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.1%
Math vs. State Avg-18.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.8 pts
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-28.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,644

North Star Academy — Students at North Star Academy score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 16.4%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 29.2%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
7.9%
ELA
40.9%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in CA
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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