The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in English language arts. The lowest is 4% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Fit Academy High School
FIT Academy High School is a charter school in Apple Valley that serves grades six through twelve, and it is part of a K-12 charter network known as FIT Academy. The school’s name stands for Fitness, Intellect, Teamwork, and families considering it should understand that this is a relatively new and growing high school program. The district brief notes that FIT Academy expanded from a K-8 school to a full K-12 configuration, and its first high school graduating class, composed of two seniors, completed in the 2021-22 school year. This means the high school grades are still in an early stage of development, and the trajectory of the program is one of building and expansion rather than long-established tradition.
The school’s enrollment is small, typical of a charter school, and it draws students from Apple Valley and likely the surrounding area. The student body is predominantly white, with the largest minority groups being Black and Hispanic students. About half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker that a substantial share of families come from lower-income backgrounds. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not provided, so a parent interested in those supports would want to ask the school directly.
State assessment results are available for the 2024-25 school year, covering math, reading, and science. Across the tested grades, proficiency rates in math were below average for Dakota County, and the school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to the 17 districts in the county. Reading proficiency was somewhat higher than math but still below the county’s middle point. Science results for eighth grade were very low. Because this is a single year of data with no prior trend available, it is not possible to say whether this represents a stable pattern or a starting point that may change as the high school program matures. A parent will want to discuss academic support and intervention strategies with the school to understand how it works with students who arrive below grade-level benchmarks.
The school does not have a reported graduation rate in the data, which is common for a high school program that has only recently begun graduating students. The enrollment by grade drops off sharply after eighth grade, with considerably fewer students in ninth through twelfth grades than in middle school. This may reflect the fact that the high school program is still building enrollment or that some families choose other options for high school. A parent should ask about retention from middle to high school and what the school’s plan is for a full high school experience.
Apple Valley itself is a suburban city in Dakota County, part of the Twin Cities metro area. It was originally a farming community and grew rapidly through suburban development from the mid-20th century into the 2000s, but recent population estimates suggest the city has reached a mature stage with little growth. The housing market reflects this: home values in the area are around the state median, and rents are moderate. The city is car-dependent, with major retail corridors along Cedar Avenue and County Road 42, and the school’s location at 147th Street West is near the Municipal Center. The school district is the city’s largest employer, underscoring the central role of education infrastructure here. Civic anchors include the Minnesota Zoo and annual community festivals, but the built environment is suburban and dispersed.
The district brief also flags that FIT Academy is growing rapidly as a whole K-12 entity and is near enrollment capacity, seeking to expand its facility. For a family looking at the high school specifically, this means that while the school is actively enrolling, it may be approaching its physical limits for the near term, and the quality of the high school experience could shift as the program expands. The charter’s model of fitness, intellect, and teamwork suggests a thematic emphasis on physical wellness integrated with academics, which will appeal to families who want an alternative to a traditional comprehensive high school. The school’s small size means students may receive more individualized attention, but it also means fewer course offerings and extracurriculars than a larger district high school would provide.
A parent considering FIT Academy High School should treat it as a growing, small charter school with academic results that are lower than most of its county peers. The school’s youth as a high school program means there is limited track record on graduation and college readiness. The fit will be strongest for families who are comfortable with a small, theme-based environment and who are prepared to be active in shaping the school’s high school culture alongside the staff.
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