Public School Review - Established 2003

Independence Alternative High School vs. Emerson High School

Should you attend Independence Alternative High School or Emerson High 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.

School Overview

School
Independence Alternative High School
155 East Francis Street
Blackfoot, ID 83221
: 
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Emerson High School
335 5th Street
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
: 
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Top Rankings

Independence Alternative High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Idaho for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Largest percent of students eligible for free lunch (Top 10%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 10%)

Emerson High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Idaho for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 20%)
Overview
Serving 137 students in grades 7-12, Independence Alternative High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Idaho for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤10% (which is lower than the Idaho state average of 42%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 11-19% (which is lower than the Idaho state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Idaho state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Idaho state average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Serving 148 students in grades 9-12, Emerson High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Idaho for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤20% (which is lower than the Idaho state average of 42%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≤20% (which is lower than the Idaho state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the Idaho state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Idaho state average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
School Type
Alternative
Alternative
Grades Offered
7-12
9-12
Total Students
137 students
148 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Independence Alternative High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Emerson High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
43% | 57%
48% | 52%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Independence Alternative High School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Emerson High School.
Total Classroom Teachers
7 teachers
11 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Independence Alternative High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Emerson High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
13:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Independence Alternative High School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Blackfoot School District and the state of Idaho, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Emerson High School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Idaho Falls School District and the state of Idaho, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Test Scores

#698 out of 709 schools in ID
(Bottom 50%)
#671 out of 709 schools in ID
(Bottom 50%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Independence Alternative High School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Emerson High School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2021-22 school year.
≤10%
(Bottom 50% in ID)
≤20%
(Bottom 50% in ID)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Independence Alternative High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Blackfoot School District and Idaho 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 Emerson High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Idaho Falls School District and Idaho public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
11-19%
(Bottom 50% in ID)
≤20%
(Bottom 50% in ID)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Independence Alternative High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Blackfoot School District and Idaho 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 Emerson High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Idaho Falls School District and Idaho public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
11-19%
(Bottom 50% in ID)
11-19%
(Bottom 50% in ID)
50-59%
(Bottom 50% in ID)
15-19%
(Bottom 50% in ID)
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of Independence Alternative High School with the average graduation rate observed in the Blackfoot School District and Idaho public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of Emerson High School with the average graduation rate observed in the Idaho Falls School District and Idaho public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Independence Alternative High School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Emerson High School by grade.
Grade 7 Students
2
-
Grade 8 Students
12
-
Grade 9 Students
29
2
Grade 10 Students
25
28
Grade 11 Students
23
34
Grade 12 Students
46
84

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
29%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Independence Alternative High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Blackfoot School District and in Idaho, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Emerson High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Idaho Falls School District and in Idaho, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Asian
n/a
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Independence Alternative High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Blackfoot School District and in Idaho, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2011-12 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Emerson High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Idaho Falls School District and in Idaho, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2021-22 school year.
% Hispanic
33%
37%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Independence Alternative High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Blackfoot School District and in Idaho, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Emerson High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Idaho Falls School District and in Idaho, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
n/a
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Independence Alternative High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Blackfoot School District and in Idaho, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Emerson High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Idaho Falls School District and in Idaho, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% White
36%
55%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Independence Alternative High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Blackfoot School District and in Idaho, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Emerson High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Idaho Falls School District and in Idaho, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
6%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Independence Alternative High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Blackfoot School District and in Idaho, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Emerson High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Idaho Falls School District and in Idaho, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
0.68
0.56
This chart showcases the diversity score of Independence Alternative High School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Blackfoot School District and Idaho, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Emerson High School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Idaho Falls School District and Idaho, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
55%
35%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Independence Alternative High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Blackfoot School District and Idaho, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Emerson High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Idaho Falls School District and Idaho, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
7%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Independence Alternative High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Blackfoot School District and Idaho, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Emerson High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Idaho Falls School District and Idaho, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
 
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