Photo: AnaSoc · CC BY-SA 4.0Ester’s public schools outscore 56% of Alaska districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Ester, 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.
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.
Ester’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 94 Alaska towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ester’s, its schools beat 70%, higher 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 ↓
16 elementary schools, then seven middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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.
What’s behind Ester’s grade
B: better than 56% of Alaska school districts, #29 of 41 Alaska towns. Test scores are above the Alaska average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Ester, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Ester · depends on your address
Lathrop High School
Grades 9–12 · 788 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Fairbanks
West Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 782 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Fairbanks
North Pole High School
Grades 9–12 · 695 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in North Pole
10th grade in Ester · depends on your address
Lathrop High School
Grades 9–12 · 788 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Fairbanks
West Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 782 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Fairbanks
North Pole High School
Grades 9–12 · 695 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in North Pole
Ester’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.
Above the state in reading
Ester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Alaska towns that share Ester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Ester | B | Fairbanks North Star Borough |
Every school in Ester
23 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).
Questions about Ester’s schools
Are Ester’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Alaska: the public schools Ester 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 70%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ester in?
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,857 students in 33 schools (2024–25).
Where do Ester kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Lathrop High School, West Valley High School and North Pole High School.
What is Ester’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 Ester 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.
Parents talk
What Ester families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ester → They have their own page.
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.