Fireweed Academy

www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/

Charter School 104 Students

Elementary School K - 6th

School Overview

Fireweed Academy is a specialized charter school located in Homer, Alaska, operating under the jurisdiction of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. The school is known for its progressive, project-based approach to learning, which emphasizes hands-on exploration, interdisciplinary studies, and a strong connection to the local environment. By integrating community resources and the unique natural landscape of the Kenai Peninsula into their curriculum, Fireweed Academy fosters a highly engaging academic atmosphere that encourages students to become active, critical thinkers.

The school is structured to support a tight-knit community of learners, typically serving elementary and middle school students through mixed-grade classrooms. This model allows for personalized instruction and promotes collaborative social-emotional development. Because of its status as a charter school, Fireweed Academy maintains a distinct educational philosophy that prioritizes student-led inquiry and parent involvement, making it a popular choice for families in Homer who are seeking an alternative to the traditional public school classroom experience.

104

Total Students

7.5

Full-Time Teachers

13.9

Student/Teacher Ratio

42.3%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Fireweed Academy
Demographic	Student Count
White	75
Hispanic	9
Two or More	12
American Indian	8

White
75 (72.1%)
Two or More
12 (11.5%)
Hispanic
9 (8.7%)
American Indian
8 (7.7%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Phone:	(907)226-1260
Website:	http://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/
Grade Range:	K - 6th
Total Students:	104
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	7.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	13.9
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	39
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	5

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 16

Grade 1 14

Grade 2 16

Grade 3 16

Grade 4 13

Grade 5 16

Grade 6 13