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Constitution HallConstitution Hall · Photo: Durkeeco · CC BY-SA 3.0
B
Schools in College · Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

College’s public schools outscore 56% of Alaska districts

The grade covers the public school district serving College, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Alaska, not nationally.

#29of 41 Alaska townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Alaska state tests taken in spring 2022, when 90% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
32%
▲ 3 pts vs AK 29%
2021–22
Math proficiency
24%
▲ 1 pts vs AK 23%
2021–22
Graduate on time
76%
▼ 2 pts vs AK 78%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.3K
▼ 13% vs AK $21.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
17.9
AK 15.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
10
4,967 students on the public path
In brief

College’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 123 Alaska towns with household incomes within a quarter of College’s, its schools beat 36%, lower than their 56% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 32% and math 24% in spring 2022, against 29% and 23% statewide; 76% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,337 per student, against $21,070 across Alaska (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then seven middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Effie Kokrine Charter School, Watershed Charter School and Golden Heart Christian School (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind College’s grade

B Test scoresC+ Graduation

B: better than 56% of Alaska school districts, #29 of 41 Alaska towns. Test scores are above the Alaska average; graduation is below it.

Alaska school districts we grade (48)Better than 56%
Lower resultsHigher results
Alaska towns with similar household incomes (123)Better than 36%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 6,108 test results and a graduating class of 779 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 90% of College’s students in the tested grades sat them (6,115 in math, 6,100 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve College, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB to A
6–87 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC to A−
9–12West Valley High SchoolFairbanks North Star Borough School DistrictB

College’s public schools are run by Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, which also serves Fairbanks and North Pole. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Fairbanks North Star Borough School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 33 schools · 11,857 students, up 7% since 2020–21 · 17.9 per teacher (AK 15.7)
$18,337AK $21,070 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading32%
State average 29.4% · 6100 students tested
Math24%
State average 22.8% · 6115 students tested

College vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Alaska towns that share College’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CollegeBFairbanks North Star Borough
FairbanksBFairbanks North Star Borough

Every school in College

17 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Alaska’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Collegeby address
Pearl Creek Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Fairbanks
A
388 students17:1Rate it →
University Park Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Fairbanks
B
361 students17:1Rate it →
Woodriver Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Fairbanks
B
342 students18:1Rate it →
West Valley High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Fairbanks
B
782 students19:1Rate it →
North Star College
High · Grades 11–12 · Fairbanks
197 studentsRate it →
Also serving Collegein other towns
Barnette Magnet School
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Fairbanks
A−
417 students18:1Rate it →
Ladd Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Fairbanks
B+
383 students19:1Rate it →
Two Rivers School
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Fairbanks
C
67 students15:1Rate it →
North Pole Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · North Pole
B
631 students18:1Rate it →
Tanana Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Fairbanks
B−
523 students19:1Rate it →
Ryan Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Fairbanks
B−
463 students17:1Rate it →
Randy Smith Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Fairbanks
B
413 students17:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Hutchison High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Fairbanks
B+
Career and Technical
356 students17:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Watershed Charter School
Elementary · Grades K–8 · Fairbanks
A+
Charter
200 students20:1Rate it →
Effie Kokrine Charter School
High · Grades 7–12 · Fairbanks
C−
Charter
139 students18:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Collegerun by other districts or the state
Raven School
Grades PK–12 · Fairbanks
C
3,687 studentsRate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Golden Heart Christian School
Elementary · Grades 1–7 · Fairbanks
Private · Religious
19 students6:1Rate it →

Questions about College’s schools

Are College’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Alaska: the public schools College children attend outscore 56% of Alaska’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #29 of 41 Alaska towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is College in?

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,857 students in 33 schools (2024–25).

Where do College kids go to high school?

West Valley High School in Fairbanks, with 782 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is College’s graduation rate?

76% of the class of 2023 in Fairbanks North Star Borough School District graduated in four years, against 78% across Alaska.

How much does College spend per student?

$18,337 in Fairbanks North Star Borough School District (FY2024), against $21,070 across Alaska. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in College?

Yes: Golden Heart Christian School (religious, grades 1–7, 19 students). College also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What College families are saying about school.

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School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Alaska. Stars are from neighbors.