Public School Review - Established 2003

Northern Lights Abc K-8 School vs. Polaris K-12 School

Should you attend Northern Lights Abc K-8 School or Polaris K-12 School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
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School Overview

School
Northern Lights Abc K-8 School
2424 East Dowling Rd
Anchorage, AK 99507
: 
10/
10
Top 5%
Polaris K-12 School
6200 Ashwood St
Anchorage, AK 99507
: 
7/
10
Top 50%
Top Rankings

Northern Lights Abc K-8 School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alaska for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 5%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 1%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)

Polaris K-12 School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alaska for:

Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Overview
Serving 572 students in grades Prekindergarten-8, Northern Lights Abc K-8 School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Alaska for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 1%, and reading proficiency is top 1%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 74% (which is higher than the Alaska state average of 32%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60% (which is higher than the Alaska state average of 29%).
The student-teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the Alaska state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Asian), which is higher than the Alaska state average of 53% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Polaris K–12 School in Anchorage, AK, has a student–teacher ratio of 19:1, which is higher than the Anchorage School District average of 17:1 reported in recent years.
Math proficiency is 43%, which is higher than the state average of 32% and the district average of 37%, showing improvement from a low of 30% in 2022.
Reading proficiency declined to 43% in 2022, but remains higher than the state average of 29% and approximately equal to the district average of 34%, indicating a notable downward trend from past years above 50%.
Graduation rates have remained stable at 80%, exceeding the state average of 78% and matching the Anchorage School District average.
Minority enrollment comprises 40% of the student body, and free lunch eligibility increased from 16% in 2022 to 25% in 2023, reflecting a significant rise in socioeconomic need among students at this Anchorage magnet school.
Blue Ribbon Schools
Yes
-
Grades Offered
PK-8
K-12
Total Students
572 students
497 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Polaris K-12 School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
% Male | % Female
46% | 54%
51% | 49%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Polaris K-12 School.
Total Classroom Teachers
32 teachers
26 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Polaris K-12 School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
19:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Anchorage School District and the state of Alaska, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Polaris K-12 School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Anchorage School District and the state of Alaska, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.

Test Scores

#6 out of 441 schools in AK
(Top 5%)
#144 out of 441 schools in AK
(Top 50%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Northern Lights Abc K-8 School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Polaris K-12 School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
74%
(Top 1% in AK)
43%
(Top 50% in AK)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Anchorage School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Polaris K-12 School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Anchorage School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
60%
(Top 5% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
43%
(Top 50% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Anchorage School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Polaris K-12 School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Anchorage School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
55-59%
(Top 20% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
55-59%
(Top 20% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
n/a
≥80%
(Top 20% in AK)
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of Polaris K-12 School with the average graduation rate observed in the Anchorage School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Northern Lights Abc K-8 School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Polaris K-12 School by grade.
Kindergarten Students
66
21
Grade 1 Students
66
27
Grade 2 Students
74
42
Grade 3 Students
62
35
Grade 4 Students
62
39
Grade 5 Students
77
43
Grade 6 Students
66
52
Grade 7 Students
48
49
Grade 8 Students
51
47
Grade 9 Students
-
48
Grade 10 Students
-
41
Grade 11 Students
-
28
Grade 12 Students
-
25

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
4%
4%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Polaris K-12 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Asian
26%
5%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Polaris K-12 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Hispanic
14%
12%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Polaris K-12 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Black
6%
2%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Polaris K-12 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% White
31%
60%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Polaris K-12 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Hawaiian
1%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at Polaris K-12 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Two or more races
18%
16%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Polaris K-12 School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
0.79
0.60
This chart showcases the diversity score of Northern Lights Abc K-8 School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Anchorage School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Polaris K-12 School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Anchorage School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
23%
18%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Anchorage School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Polaris K-12 School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Anchorage School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
9%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Northern Lights Abc K-8 School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Anchorage School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Polaris K-12 School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Anchorage School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
 
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