Polaris K-12 School

Polaris K-12 School

Public Elementary, Middle, High School | Grade K-12
6200 Ashwood St,  Anchorage, AK
Abbott Loop Neighborhood
Anchorage School District
3.7
3.8
486 Students
A-
Niche Grade
Polaris K-12 School is a public charter school located at 6200 Ashwood St., just off the Seward Highway. Elementary school consists of kindergarten through fifth grade. Secondary grades are seventh through 12th. Admission is through an open lottery system administered by the Anchorage School District every March and July. The school has an average enrollment of 460 students, and its mascot is the Wolf. Teachers, students and parents are considered equal partners in the Polaris community. The school believes that students learn best when they are engaged and participate in authentic, meaningful experiences. This includes giving students the freedom and responsibility, with teacher guidance, to create unique educational options and create their own course of study. Other unique aspects of Polaris are two-week intensives and the All-School Seminar. At the beginning and end of each school year, students participate in two-week-long intensives that allow them to focus exclusively on one subject. The All-School Seminar, which takes place once per year, combines secondary and elementary classes into multi-age groups for an hour of seminar-style conversations focused on a single text.

School Details

Student Teacher Ratio
19:1
Average SAT Score
1290
Average ACT Score
31
Math Proficiency
30%
Reading Proficiency
43%
Average GPA
3.61
Graduation Rate
90%

Niche Grade

B+
Academics
A-
Teachers
B+
College Prep
B
Administration
B-
Resources/Facilities
C-
Clubs and Activities
B-
Food
Source: Niche
Niche Grades

Niche grades and rankings are calculated using dozens of public data sets and millions of reviews. Niche data scientists and user researchers rigorously analyze data and user opinions to assess the key aspects of K-12 Schools, Colleges, and Places to Live. Every month, millions of students and families use the Niche grades and report cards to find the right school or neighborhood.

Niche Grade Details

Academics
Average GPA
3.61
Reading Proficiency
43%
Math Proficiency
30%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
19:1
Teachers
26
Full Time Teachers
26
Teachers in First or Second Year
0%
College Prep
Average SAT
1290
Math
620
Verbal
670
Average ACT
31
Math
28
English
32
Reading
33
Science
31
Number of AP Courses
2
AP Pass Rate
46.7%
AP Math Enrollment
Low
AP Science Enrollment
Very Low
Other AP Enrollment
High
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Very Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Very Low

GreatSchools Rating

8
Test Scores
6
Equity
9
College Readiness
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

GreatSchools Rating Details

Test Scores

Math
8.8%
State Average
8.2%
Science
12.9%
State Average
11.3%
GreatSchools Test Scores Rating
GreatSchools
The Test Score Rating reflects annual state test results for this school compared with scores statewide.

Teachers and Staff

Students Per Counselor
460:1

Student Diversity

Male
52.5%
Female
47.5%
White
60.8%
Two or more races
15.2%
Hispanic
12.1%
Asian or Pacific Islander
5.3%
Native American
4.4%
Black
1.6%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
<1%
Interested in learning more about homes nearby? Reach out to Kimberly Ketchum, an agent with experience near this school.

School Rankings

#2 Best Magnet HS in Alaska
Source: Niche

Specialty School Programs

AP Programs Offered
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered

Colleges Students are Considering

Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
University of Alaska Anchorage 29 Students
University of Alaska Fairbanks 15 Students
University of Washington 12 Students
Alaska Pacific University 10 Students
Washington State University 9 Students
University of Oregon 7 Students
University of Puget Sound 7 Students
New York University 6 Students
Portland State University 6 Students
Montana State University 6 Students

What Students Want to Study

Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Biology 9 Students
Political Science and Government 8 Students
Computer Science 7 Students
Business 5 Students
Psychology 5 Students
Environmental Science 4 Students
Pre-Law Studies 3 Students
Marine Biology and Oceanography 3 Students
Foreign Languages and Literatures 3 Students
Aeronautics and Aviation Technology 2 Students

This School’s Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.7 45 Reviews
3.0 Senior
1/5/2018
The environment is pretty friendly, many of the staff are good people and decent teachers, but I personally have faced issues with several of the teachers. In addition, by nature of being a small school with an even smaller high school population, I feel stifled and inadequately exposed to other people. I feel that any person my age should have more exposure to peers.
4.0 Alum
7/21/2017
Small class sizes and K-12 structure means students and teachers get to know each other, leading to a more personalized education. Be aware that because it is a small school, there are relatively few classes offered and only 2-3 AP courses available at the high school level. The classes that are offered do tend to be challenging and interesting, though.
4.0 Alum
10/9/2016
Polaris was a wonderful school. Definitely prepared me for college, a lot more than I thought it would. Wasn't as diverse as other schools, and there are no sports, but they do have various clubs and activities one can participate in.
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GreatSchools Reviews
3.8 15 Reviews
1.0 parent
8/29/2024
The principle of this school doesn’t like being confronted on her inadequacies and attitude, and Handles conflict by hanging up on parents
Read Full Review
5.0 student
12/4/2015
Polaris K-12 is gorgeous. You'll find so many bright, talented students here, anywhere from math geniuses to Picassos to guitarists who can really sing. At lunchtime, you see groups of kids in the lounges singing to one student's guitar. The school itself is beautiful, covered in murals, featuring i...
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5.0 student
9/8/2015
Polaris K12 absolutely amazes me.It's not often you find a school this tight-knit, and it's definitely not often you find teachers that teach so well. The staff takes a different approach on learning- everybody is treated with the sort of peer-to-peer interaction, even the teachers, so everybody get...
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5.0 parent
10/14/2013
My children have been at Polaris for over ten years. We've been very happy with the small, family type atmosphere. Middle School starts in 6th grade, giving a year of "practice" which was good for both my kids. My eldest was a pro by the time she hit 9th grade! The academics are advanced, in part du...
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Alaska Anchorage Borough Anchorage 99507 Abbott Loop
Polaris K-12 School
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Kimberly Ketchum
Coldwell Banker Endeavor Realty
Agent experienced in this area
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