Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary · Photo: Burntorange72 at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Kenai’s public schools outscore 65% of Alaska districts
34% of students in Kenai’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the Alaska average (29%). The grade covers the public school district serving Kenai, 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 83% 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.
Kenai’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 113 Alaska towns with household incomes within a quarter of Kenai’s, its schools beat 46%, lower than their 65% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 34% and math 25% in spring 2022, against 29% and 23% statewide; 80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $20,255 per student, against $21,070 across Alaska (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Kenai Middle School, then Kenai Central High School. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Aurora Borealis Charter School and Kaleidoscope School of Arts & Science 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.
What’s behind Kenai’s grade
B+: better than 65% of Alaska school districts, #21 of 41 Alaska towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Alaska average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Kenai, with each school’s own grade.
Kenai’s public schools are run by Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, which also serves Homer, Kachemak, Seldovia and Seward and others. 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
Kenai vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Alaska towns that share Kenai’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Kenai | B+ | Kenai Peninsula Borough |
Every school in Kenai
6 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Marathon School).
Questions about Kenai’s schools
Are Kenai’s schools good?
By Alaska’s own tests, yes: the public schools Kenai children attend outscore 65% of Alaska’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #21 of 41 Alaska towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 46%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Kenai in?
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,510 students in 42 schools (2024–25).
Where do Kenai kids go to high school?
Kenai Central High School, with 525 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Kenai’s graduation rate?
80% of the class of 2023 in Kenai Peninsula Borough School District graduated in four years, against 78% across Alaska.
How much does Kenai spend per student?
$20,255 in Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (FY2024), against $21,070 across Alaska. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Kenai families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Kenai → 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.