The top reported proficiency rate is 34% in Science. The lowest is 21% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on American Academy of Innovation
American Academy of Innovation is a single-school charter district serving grades six through twelve in Salt Lake County. It operates as a district of one, meaning the same administration oversees that single school. The school describes its approach as competency-based, which means students advance by demonstrating mastery of skills and knowledge rather than by logging seat time—a model that may appeal to families looking for a self-paced, personalized pathway.
Enrollment is modest for covering seven grade levels, and the student body is predominantly white, with a Hispanic population making up a meaningful share. Other racial and ethnic groups are present in very small numbers. Information on economic disadvantage (free or reduced-price lunch eligibility) was not available, nor were counts of students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent cannot determine from this data how much targeted support the school provides to those groups.
State testing data is available for math, English language arts, and science across grades three through eight. Because this school begins at grade six, the results reflect a subset of its students. In all three subjects, the share of students scoring at or above proficiency is below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Salt Lake County. The school’s combined proficiency index sits below the midpoint among the forty-three county districts that reported results. This pattern suggests that, on average, student performance on state assessments is lower than in many neighboring districts.
A much more striking data point is chronic absenteeism. The rate reported for this district is among the highest in the county—in the bottom quartile when compared with forty-six other districts, and far above the county’s midpoint. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing a substantial portion of the school year, and a rate this high often signals challenges with student engagement, attendance, or family mobility. A parent considering this school should investigate further with the administration to understand what is driving these numbers and what supports are in place.
Per-pupil spending is in the middle range, near the median among county districts. That places the school’s financial resources roughly on par with many peers, though the high absenteeism and below-midpoint test scores raise questions about whether those dollars are translating into the outcomes families might expect.
No graduation rate was reported, so it is not possible to assess how many students finish high school here. That gap may stem from how the data is reported, but for a school that serves through grade twelve, it is a missing piece that a parent should ask about directly.
The district brief found no recent parent-relevant changes or initiatives to report, so the school appears to be operating without major shifts in policies or leadership in recent years.
Overall, American Academy of Innovation offers a competency-based academic model in a small school environment. The combination of below-midpoint test scores and very high chronic absenteeism are areas that warrant attention. Families who value a mastery-based, self-directed approach may find the school’s philosophy appealing, but they will want to have a thorough conversation with staff about attendance patterns, academic support, and how the school measures progress beyond state tests.
See more original research from School Decision →