Average
#401 of 1,014 schools in UT
Top 39% in state
Polaris High School
High School · Alpine District
708 So Utah Valley Drive, American Fork, UT 84003
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In American Fork
#5 of 13
public schools
Utah high schools
#57 of 173
In district
#39 of 88
Alpine District
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Polaris High School
Polaris High School serves grades 9-12 as an alternative school in American Fork, providing a focused educational environment for 200 students. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 9.5:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and individualized support that alternative education students often need to succeed. The school has earned recognition for its effectiveness, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking #4 out of 1,018 schools statewide, placing it in the 100th percentile among Utah high schools.
This exceptional ranking reflects the school's success in serving students who may benefit from a non-traditional educational approach. As an alternative school, Polaris likely serves students seeking flexible scheduling, credit recovery, or a different learning environment than traditional high schools provide. The small class sizes and high staff-to-student ratio create opportunities for meaningful relationships between educators and students, which can be particularly beneficial for students who have struggled in conventional settings.
The school is situated in American Fork's large suburban community in Utah County, where the median household income of $111,339 and high percentage of college-educated residents (48%) reflect a community that values educational achievement and success.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Polaris 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Polaris High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
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Polaris High School — Students at Polaris High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores UT EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from UT 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: 7.6/10.
How Polaris High School Compares
See how Polaris High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2021).
Location
708 So Utah Valley Drive, American Fork, UT 84003
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polaris High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Summit High (rated 7.2/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, American Fork High (rated 6.1/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in American Fork, see our American Fork schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Summit High American Fork | 0.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Odyssey Charter School American Fork | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| LIAHONA PREPARATORY ACADEMY Pleasant Grove | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Athenian eAcademy American Fork | 0.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Greenwood School American Fork | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Barratt School American Fork | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Dan W. Peterson American Fork | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Forbes School American Fork | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| American Fork High American Fork | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Mount Mahogany School Pleasant Grove | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Alpine Online School American Fork | 2.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Spectrum Academy - Pleasant Grove Pleasant Grove | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Shelley School American Fork | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Manila School Pleasant Grove | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| American Fork Jr High American Fork | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Lincoln Academy Pleasant Grove | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Legacy School American Fork | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
| John Hancock Charter School Pleasant Grove | 2.3 mi | 9.2 |
| Pleasant Grove Jr High Pleasant Grove | 2.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Grovecrest School Pleasant Grove | 2.6 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 84003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$120,262
Median Home Value
$580,600
Median Rent
$1,692/mo
Population
55,259
College Educated
49.6%
Homeownership
75.1%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Median Age
27.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Polaris High School has a median household income of $120,262. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $580,600, with a median rent of $1,692/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Success SUU Cedar City, UT | 6.7 |
| Utah International Charter School South Salt Lake, UT | 6.7 |
| Intech Collegiate Academy North Logan, UT | 6.8 |
| Millcreek High St. George, UT | 6.8 |
| Panguitch High Panguitch, UT | 6.8 |
| St. George Academy Washington, UT | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polaris High School
What grades does Polaris High School serve?
Polaris High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Polaris High School?
Polaris High School has an enrollment of approximately 200 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polaris High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Polaris High School is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Polaris High School rank in UT?
Polaris High School is ranked #401 out of 1,014 schools in UT.
What is Polaris High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Polaris High School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Polaris High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Polaris High School has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Polaris High School a charter school?
No, Polaris High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Polaris High School a Title I school?
No, Polaris High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polaris High School?
41.5% of students at Polaris 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
- County Safety
- Low (43/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 200
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.5%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Utah County
- Phone
- (801) 610-8180
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alpine District- District Enrollment
- 87,051
- Schools in District
- 91
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,266
- District Rank
- #39 of 88
Other Schools in This District
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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