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
Enrollment
137
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
4.7
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Independence Alternative High School — Students at Independence Alternative High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores ID EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from ID state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.1/10.
How Independence Alternative High School Compares
See how Independence Alternative High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 10% (2019) to 5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 15% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (208) 785-8825
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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