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Below Average

#597 of 719 schools in ID

Independence Alternative High School

High School · BLACKFOOT DISTRICT

155 EAST FRANCIS STREET, Blackfoot, ID 83221

Enrollment

137

Student-Teacher

22.8:1

Score

4.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Blackfoot

#15 of 19

public schools

Idaho high schools

#158 of 178

In district

#10 of 11

BLACKFOOT DISTRICT

About Independence Alternative High School

Independence Alternative High School in Blackfoot, Idaho, is a unique educational option for students in grades 7 through 12. With an enrollment of 137 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each learner succeed. Independence Alternative focuses on providing alternative education pathways for those who may benefit from a different learning environment than traditional schools.

Located at 155 East Francis Street in Blackfoot, this high school has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks 666th among Idaho’s 732 schools. The academic score is 1.2 out of 10, with only 10% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 7% in Math across all grades. Despite these scores, the school continues to work on improving its educational programs and supporting student development.

Set in a small town setting, Independence Alternative High School serves students who need flexible learning options or alternative pathways to graduation. The community around Blackfoot is supportive of local schools, creating a nurturing environment for students to grow and thrive despite academic challenges.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 137 students, Independence Alternative High School 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 Independence Alternative High School 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 Independence Alternative High School is 22.8:1, 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 Progress6.1Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-28.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,635

Independence Alternative High School — Students at Independence Alternative High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ID EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 6.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ID state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
15%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Independence Alternative High School Compares

See how Independence Alternative High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
17th percentile in ID
Academic
1.7/10
1.7/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

155 EAST FRANCIS STREET, Blackfoot, ID 83221

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence Alternative High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BINGHAM ACADEMY (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BLACKFOOT HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SNAKE RIVER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 3.2/10, 7.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Blackfoot, see our Blackfoot schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.4 mi
School Distance Rating
BLACKFOOT HERITAGE SIXTH GRADE Blackfoot 0.3 mi 4.6
MOUNTAIN VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Blackfoot 0.4 mi 5.6
VAUGHN HUGIE FAMILY ED CENTER Blackfoot 0.6 mi 5.1
I T STODDARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Blackfoot 0.8 mi 6.7
BLACKFOOT HIGH SCHOOL Blackfoot 0.8 mi 6.2
RIDGE CREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Blackfoot 0.9 mi 7.0
BINGHAM ACADEMY Blackfoot 1.2 mi 7.5
DONALD D STALKER ELEMENTARY Blackfoot 1.2 mi 7.9
BLACKFOOT CHARTER COMMUNITY Blackfoot 2.4 mi 3.1
GROVELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Blackfoot 2.7 mi 7.7
IDAHO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CHARTER SCHOOL Blackfoot 3.3 mi 7.0
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Blackfoot 4.9 mi 6.0
WAPELLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Blackfoot 5.6 mi 8.4
MORELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moreland 5.8 mi 5.3
SNAKE RIVER ONLINE Blackfoot 6.8 mi 2.5
SNAKE RIVER OPPORTUNITIES HIGH SCHOOL Blackfoot 6.8 mi
SNAKE RIVER OPPORTUNITIES ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Blackfoot 6.8 mi
SNAKE RIVER JR HIGH SCHOOL Blackfoot 7.0 mi 7.5
SNAKE RIVER HIGH SCHOOL Blackfoot 7.1 mi 3.2
SNAKE RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Blackfoot 8.4 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 83221 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,889

Median Home Value

$250,200

Median Rent

$848/mo

Population

29,244

College Educated

21.5%

Homeownership

80.8%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

12.6%

Median Age

34

Community Profile

The community surrounding Independence Alternative High School has a median household income of $77,889. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $250,200, with a median rent of $848/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
UNION HIGH SCHOOL Nampa, ID 4.7
MERIDIAN ACADEMY Meridian, ID 4.6
EMPOWER CONNECTIONS ACADEMY Boise, ID 4.5
MACKAY JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Mackay, ID 4.5
LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL Idaho Falls, ID 4.4
RICHARD MCKENNA CHARTER SCHOOL - ONLINE ALTERNATIVE Mountain Home, ID 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence Alternative High School

What grades does Independence Alternative High School serve?

Independence Alternative High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Independence Alternative High School?

Independence Alternative High School has an enrollment of approximately 137 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Alternative High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Independence Alternative High School is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence Alternative High School rank in ID?

Independence Alternative High School is ranked #597 out of 719 schools in ID.

What is Independence Alternative High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence Alternative High School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Independence Alternative High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence Alternative High School has 6.7% math proficiency and 10.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Independence Alternative High School a charter school?

No, Independence Alternative High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Independence Alternative High School a Title I school?

No, Independence Alternative High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independence Alternative High School?

58.4% of students at Independence Alternative High School 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
Elevated (1,205/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Blackfoot). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
137
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.4%
Type
alternative
Setting
Distant Town
County
Bingham County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BLACKFOOT DISTRICT
District Enrollment
3,859
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,407
District Rank
#10 of 11

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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