Fireweed Academy

Q: Is Fireweed Academy a good school?

Fireweed Academy ranks 42 nd of 173 Alaska elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Fireweed Academy is a public charter elementary school serving 107 students in grades K-6 in Homer, Alaska, which is part of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. This exceptional school consistently outperforms the district and state averages in academic performance, ranking among the top elementary schools in Alaska.

Fireweed Academy's academic excellence is evident in its impressive test scores. In the 2023-2024 school year, 55.17% of Fireweed students were proficient or better in STAR English Language Arts, compared to 35.29% for the district and 31.5% for the state. In STAR Mathematics, 47.37% of Fireweed students were proficient or better, compared to 36.12% for the district and 31.11% for the state. The school's science proficiency rates, as measured by the Alaska Science Assessment, are also significantly higher than the district and state averages. Fireweed Academy has maintained a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger for most of the past decade, indicating its strong academic performance.

Fireweed Academy's student population is more diverse compared to nearby schools, such as McNeil Canyon Elementary, Chapman School, Paul Banks Elementary, and West Homer Elementary. Despite having a relatively high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, Fireweed Academy has been able to achieve exceptional academic outcomes, suggesting that the school has effective strategies in place to support students from diverse backgrounds.

Detail:

Public, Charter K-6

995 Soundview Ave
Homer, AK 99603

(907) 226-1260

District: Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
42^nd of 173 Alaska Elementary Schools

Student/teacher ratio: 14.2

Number of students: 107

Racial breakdown:

White:

82.2%

Two or more races:

7.5%

Hispanic:

4.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 36.4%

See top rated Alaska elementary schools

Compare Fireweed Academy to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Fireweed Academy ranks better than 75.7% of elementary schools in Alaska. It also ranks 3^rd among 13 ranked elementary schools in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 70.26. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (82.2%), two or more races (7.5%), American Indian (4.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 36.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Fireweed Academy is 14.2. 9 elementary schools in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Fireweed Academy employs 7.5 full-time teachers.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Fireweed Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Fireweed Academy 42^nd of 173 Alaska public elementary schools. (See Fireweed Academy in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Female students:

White students:

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Kenai Peninsula Borough School District 10^th of 24 Alaska school districts. (See district ranking list.)

What do you think?

Your rating for Fireweed Academy?

(Ranking FAQ)

Rank History for Fireweed Academy

Compare

Rank History for all students at Fireweed Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile
2008	74.01	52^nd	219	76.3%
2009	69.55	73^rd	226	67.7%
2010	76.38	48^th	229	79.0%
2011	85.32	16^th	223	92.8%
2013	59.43	106^th	223	52.5%
2014	59.20	106^th	218	51.4%
2015	76.01	41^st	246	83.3%
2017	73.21	37^th	180	79.4%
2018	64.61	65^th	186	65.1%
2019	70.54	47^th	185	74.6%
2021	72.94	43^rd	173	75.1%
2022	82.64	22^nd	171	87.1%
2023	72.15	40^th	176	77.3%
2024	70.26	42^nd	173	75.7%

See the entire list of Alaska Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Fireweed Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2019	86.76	6^th	147	95.9%

See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Fireweed Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile
2019	63.27	65^th	159	59.1%
2022	79.82	19^th	143	86.7%
2023	63.77	48^th	152	68.4%
2024	63.98	47^th	142	66.9%

See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Fireweed Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile
2019	52.51	72^nd	159	54.7%
2022	66.66	41^st	148	72.3%
2023	75.32	25^th	148	83.1%

See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Fireweed Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile
2019	42.98	86^th	147	41.5%
2021	64.93	36^th	127	71.7%
2022	69.45	29^th	137	78.8%
2023	57.20	49^th	138	64.5%
2024	58.03	53^rd	133	60.2%

See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Fireweed Academy.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Fireweed Academy, submit a rating!

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Fireweed Academy

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1998	22	0	1	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	24
1999	19	0	0	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	20
2000	23	0	0	0	3	n/a	n/a	0	26
2001	25	0	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	26
2002	29	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	29
2003	29	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	29
2004	30	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	30
2005	34	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	34
2006	49	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	49
2007	63	0	1	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	65
2008	68	0	2	2	1	n/a	n/a	2	75
2009	67	0	1	2	1	1	1	0	73
2010	67	0	2	2	3	0	0	0	74
2011	107	2	1	1	4	1	0	0	116
2012	113	3	1	4	4	3	2	0	130
2013	96	0	0	3	5	3	4	0	111
2014	93	0	0	3	4	4	5	0	109
2015	88	0	0	3	5	3	4	0	103
2016	73	0	0	4	6	3	6	0	92
2017	82	0	0	3	6	3	11	0	105
2018	91	0	0	7	5	2	17	0	122
2019	89	0	0	3	4	1	17	0	114
2020	100	0	0	3	5	1	19	0	128
2021	68	0	0	2	6	0	9	0	85
2022	75	0	1	4	4	0	10	0	94
2023	88	0	1	5	5	0	8	0	107

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Fireweed Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1998	24	1.0	24.0	0
1999	20	1.0	20.0	n/a
2000	26	2.0	13.0	23.1
2001	26	2.0	13.0	23.1
2002	29	2.0	14.5	27.6
2003	29	2.0	14.5	27.6
2004	30	2.0	15.0	43.3
2005	34	2.0	17.0	91.2
2006	49	3.0	16.3	24.5
2007	65	4.1	15.9	32.3
2008	75	4.1	18.3	28.8
2009	73	4.5	16.2	0
2010	74	4.5	16.4	0
2011	116	6.7	17.1	0
2012	130	7.5	17.3	0
2013	111	8.0	13.8	0
2014	109	6.0	18.1	43.1
2015	103	8.0	12.8	43.7
2016	92	8.0	11.5	27.2
2017	105	6.0	17.5	36.2
2018	122	7.0	17.4	33.6
2019	114	8.0	14.2	31.6
2020	128	8.0	16.0	43
2021	85	7.0	12.1	n/a
2022	94	7.0	13.4	n/a
2023	107	7.5	14.2	36.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Fireweed Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1998	24	1.0	24.0	0
1999	20	1.0	20.0	n/a
2000	26	2.0	13.0	23.1
2001	26	2.0	13.0	23.1
2002	29	2.0	14.5	27.6
2003	29	2.0	14.5	27.6
2004	30	2.0	15.0	43.3
2005	34	2.0	17.0	91.2
2006	49	3.0	16.3	24.5
2007	65	4.1	15.9	32.3
2008	75	4.1	18.3	28.8
2009	73	4.5	16.2	0
2010	74	4.5	16.4	0
2011	116	6.7	17.1	0
2012	130	7.5	17.3	0
2013	111	8.0	13.8	0
2014	109	6.0	18.1	43.1
2015	103	8.0	12.8	43.7
2016	92	8.0	11.5	27.2
2017	105	6.0	17.5	36.2
2018	122	7.0	17.4	33.6
2019	114	8.0	14.2	31.6
2020	128	8.0	16.0	43
2021	85	7.0	12.1	n/a
2022	94	7.0	13.4	n/a
2023	107	7.5	14.2	36.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Fireweed Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 47^th of 185 Elementary schools	Ranks 40^th of 176 Elementary schools	2.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
All Grades Science (Fireweed Academy)	66.7	60	6.7%
All Grades Science (Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)	55	43.6	11.4%
All Grades Science (Alaska)	44.7	36.9	7.7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	114	107	6.1%
African American	0	0
American Indian	4	5	25%
Asian	0	1
Hispanic	3	5	66.7%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	89	88	1.1%
Two or More Races	17	8	52.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	31.6%	36.4%	4.9%

Schools Near Fireweed Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				STAR English Language Arts (2024)							STAR Mathematics (2024)							ASA Science (2024)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	STAR English Language Arts 3rd Grade	STAR English Language Arts 4th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 5th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 6th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 7th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 8th Grade	STAR English Language Arts All Grades	STAR Mathematics 3rd Grade	STAR Mathematics 4th Grade	STAR Mathematics 5th Grade	STAR Mathematics 6th Grade	STAR Mathematics 7th Grade	STAR Mathematics 8th Grade	STAR Mathematics All Grades	ASA Science 5th Grade	ASA Science All Grades	Total
Fireweed Academy	Public, Charter	K-6	995 Soundview Ave	Homer	99603	Kenai Peninsula Borough	Kenai Peninsula Borough School District	Yes	No	No	Yes	(907) 226-1260	107	8	14.2	36.4%	88 (82.2%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (4.7%)	1 (0.9%)	5 (4.7%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (7.5%)	70.3	42^nd of 173 public elementary schools	75.7%		72.1	40^th of 176 public elementary schools	77.3%	2	71.4	38.9	50.0	66.7			55.2	42.9	22.2	69.2	66.7			47.4
West Homer Elementary	Public	3-6	995 Soundview Ave Ste 1	Homer	99603	Kenai Peninsula Borough	Kenai Peninsula Borough School District	No	No	No	No	(907) 226-1200	216	18	12.3	36.6%	164 (75.9%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.7%)	1 (0.5%)	13 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (13.9%)	67.8	51^st of 173 public elementary schools	70.5%		66.5	49^th of 176 public elementary schools	72.2%	2	35.2	30.8	52.3	52.5			43.4	40.7	38.5	61.4	54.1			49.0	75.0	75.0
Paul Banks Elementary	Public	PK, KG-2	1340 East End Rd	Homer	99603	Kenai Peninsula Borough	Kenai Peninsula Borough School District	No	No	No	No	(907) 226-1801	184	15	12.2	35.9%	144 (78.3%)	1 (0.5%)	7 (3.8%)	1 (0.5%)	7 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (13.0%)								(n/a)
McNeil Canyon Elementary	Public	K-6	52188 East End Rd	Homer	99603	Kenai Peninsula Borough	Kenai Peninsula Borough School District	No	No	No	No	(907) 235-8181	137	9	15.2	43.8%	112 (81.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	5 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (13.9%)	58.4	76^th of 173 public elementary schools	56.1%		68.2	46^th of 176 public elementary schools	73.9%	30	28.6	61.1	31.8	50.0			42.2	42.9	61.1	40.9	40.9			45.8	54.6	54.6
Chapman School	Public	PK, KG-8	73286 School Ave	Anchor Point	99556	Kenai Peninsula Borough	Kenai Peninsula Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 235-8671	160	14	11.1	47.5%	121 (75.6%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.8%)	2 (1.3%)	13 (8.1%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (11.3%)	44.1	100^th of 173 public elementary schools	42.2%		31.7	126^th of 176 public elementary schools	28.4%	26	31.3	17.7	37.5	50.0	73.3	62.5	45.0	50.0	17.7	31.3	40.0	60.0	50.0	41.0	56.3	71.0

Frequently Asked Questions about Fireweed Academy

What district is Fireweed Academy in?

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Is Fireweed Academy a good school?

Fireweed Academy ranks 42^nd of 173 Alaska elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Fireweed Academy?

In the 2022-23 school year, 107 students attended Fireweed Academy.

What is the racial makeup of Fireweed Academy?

Students at Fireweed Academy are 82% White, 7% Two or more races, 5% Hispanic, 5% American Indian.

Rate Fireweed Academy!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

AKAlaska Elementary School Rankings

AKAlaska District Rankings

Schools in Homer, AK

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Fireweed Academy!

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.