Alternative Learning Systems vs. Interior Distance Education Of Alaska (Idea)
Should you attend Alternative Learning Systems or Interior Distance Education Of Alaska (Idea)? 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
Top Rankings
Alternative Learning Systems ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alaska for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Interior Distance Education Of Alaska (Idea) ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alaska for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Overview
Alternative Learning Systems in Fairbanks, AK, serves 193 students from Pre–K to 12 with a student–teacher ratio of 16:1, which is higher than the district ratio at Lathrop High School (1:19) but lower than Interior Distance Education Of Alaska (1:121).
The school has 56% minority enrollment and is ranked among the top 20% most diverse public schools in Alaska, indicating notable demographic diversity in this Fairbanks public high school.
Math proficiency is 20%, which is lower than the Alaska state average of 32% and the district average of 33%, continuing a multi–year trend of below–average math performance.
Reading proficiency ranges from 11–19%, lower than the state average of 29% and district average of 32%, with no improvement observed in recent years.
Graduation rates remain low at 30–34%, which is significantly lower than the state average of 78% and district average of 76%, placing the school in the bottom 50% for this key parent priority metric.
Interior Distance Education Of Alaska (IDEA) in Fairbanks, AK, serves 7,486 students from prekindergarten through grade 12, with a student–teacher ratio of approximately 125:1, which is substantially higher than typical ratios for the district and state.
The school's math proficiency in 2023 is 40%, which is approximately equal to the Galena City School District average of 40% and higher than the Alaska state average of 32%.
Reading proficiency is 52%, ranking in the top 10% statewide and higher than the state average of 29% and district average of 47%; this reflects an overall strong performance relative to peers.
Science proficiency ranges from 65% to 69%, placing IDEA among the top 10% of Alaska public schools and significantly above the state average of 38% in 2022.
The graduation rate at IDEA is 77%, which is approximately equal to the district average of 77% but slightly lower than the state average of 78%; the graduation rate improved from 73% in 2020 to 77% in 2023.
School Type
Alternative
n/a
Grades Offered
PK-12
PK-12
Total Students
193 students
7,486 students
% Male | % Female
53% | 47%
51% | 49%
Total Classroom Teachers
12 teachers
62 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
n/a
n/a
Test Scores
Overall Testing Rank
#329 out of 441 schools in AK
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
#100 out of 441 schools in AK
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
40%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
11-19%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
65-69%
Graduation Rate
30-34%
77%
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
Pre-K Students
8
273
Kindergarten Students
-
570
Grade 1 Students
-
593
Grade 2 Students
1
575
Grade 3 Students
1
579
Grade 4 Students
1
586
Grade 5 Students
3
560
Grade 6 Students
2
551
Grade 7 Students
5
564
Grade 8 Students
4
528
Grade 9 Students
21
451
Grade 10 Students
20
528
Grade 11 Students
62
483
Grade 12 Students
65
645
Students by Ethnicity
% American Indian
21%
10%
% Asian
2%
1%
% Hispanic
9%
3%
% Black
3%
1%
% White
44%
74%
% Hawaiian
4%
1%
% Two or more races
17%
10%
Diversity Score
0.73
0.44
Additional Information
Eligible for Free Lunch
8%
8%
n/a
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
3%
n/a
