The top reported proficiency rate is 72% in Science. The lowest is 60% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Freedom School
Freedom School serves students from preschool through sixth grade in the Highland community, part of the Alpine School District. This is a neighborhood elementary school, and its academic picture reflects that role clearly.
Academically, Freedom School posts strong results on the state’s RISE assessments. Proficiency rates sit comfortably above the midpoint among Utah County districts, landing in the top quartile when compared to other districts in the county. This positions the school as a solid performer for its region. Science scores are particularly high, with a large majority of students meeting the state’s proficiency standard. Math and English language arts also show strong proficiency, though math lags slightly behind the other two subjects. For a parent evaluating academic foundation, this school delivers consistent, above-average results across the core elementary subjects.
The peer environment is shaped by a notably homogeneous student body. The overwhelming majority of students are white, with a very small share identifying as Hispanic and even smaller groups representing other racial and ethnic backgrounds. The proportion of students from low-income households, as measured by free or reduced-price lunch eligibility, is quite low, which aligns with the affluence of the surrounding community. This is a school where a very small share of families face economic disadvantage, and the student population reflects little racial or ethnic diversity. For families who prioritize a diverse peer setting, this will be a significant consideration.
Highland itself is a fast-growing, primarily residential community on the high bench above American Fork. The population has risen notably in recent years, and the housing market reflects strong demand, with home values well above national and state benchmarks. The town has no traditional downtown or commercial core; residents drive to nearby cities like American Fork, Lehi, or Orem for shopping and work. The mean commute is substantial, reinforcing that this is a bedroom community. The city offers ample parks and trails, and sits at the mouth of American Fork Canyon, providing direct access to national forest recreation. For a family, this means a quiet, low-density suburban setting with good outdoor access but very few retail or dining options within the town itself.
The school is part of Alpine School District, which is in the middle of a major reorganization. Voters approved splitting the district—the largest in Utah—into three separate entities, effective for the 2027–28 school year. Under the approved plan, Freedom School’s attendance area would fall into the new Central district, which would include Highland, Alpine, American Fork, Lehi, Cedar Hills, and part of Draper. This means that the governance, boundaries, and potentially property tax structures that support Freedom School will change substantially within the next couple of years. New school board elections for the successor districts are scheduled for 2025. Any family moving into the area should be aware that the district context is in flux and that the school’s administrative and fiscal environment will look different soon.
Freedom School’s test scores and economic context are well documented, but the data does not include information on special education identification rates or English learner populations, and discipline, staffing, and attendance data were not available either. A parent may want to inquire directly with the school about class sizes, specialist staffing, and how the school supports students with differing needs, as those details are not reflected in the available record. Also, because the school serves only through sixth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and the absence is simply a function of the grade band.
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