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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics3.3Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness6.9Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,557

Polaris High School — Students at Polaris High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores UT EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from UT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.7/10
61th percentile in UT
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Alpine District
District Enrollment
87,051
Schools in District
91
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,266
District Rank
#39 of 88

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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