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Downtown NikiskiPhoto: Beeblebrox · CC BY-SA 4.0
B+
Schools in Nikiski · Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Nikiski’s public schools outscore 65% of Alaska districts

On the state reading tests, 34% of Nikiski’s students scored proficient, above the Alaska average (29%). The grade covers the public school district serving Nikiski, 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.

#21of 41 Alaska townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
34%
▲ 5 pts vs AK 29%
2021–22
Math proficiency
25%
▲ 2 pts vs AK 23%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80%
▲ 2 pts vs AK 78%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$20.3K
▼ 4% vs AK $21.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.7
AK 15.7 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
490 students on the public path
In brief

Nikiski’s schools, in brief

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 school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Nikiski Middle/Senior High School. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Nikiski’s grade

B+ Test scoresB Graduation

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.

Alaska school districts we grade (48)Better than 65%
Lower resultsHigher results
Alaska towns with similar household incomes (119)Better than 68%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,837 test results and a graduating class of 636 could put Nikiski anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 83% of Nikiski’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,827 in math, 3,847 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Nikiski North Star ElementaryKenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictB−
6–12Nikiski Middle/Senior High SchoolKenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictB−

Nikiski’s public schools are run by Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, which also serves Homer, Kachemak, Kenai and Seldovia 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.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 42 schools · 8,510 students, up 7% since 2020–21 · 14.7 per teacher (AK 15.7)
$20,255AK $21,070 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading34%
State average 29.4% · 3847 students tested
Math25%
State average 22.8% · 3827 students tested

Nikiski vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
NikiskiB+Kenai Peninsula Borough

Every school in Nikiski

2 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 Nikiskiby address
Nikiski North Star Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Kenai
B−
214 students12:1Rate it →
Nikiski Middle/Senior High School
High · Grades 6–12
B−
276 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Nikiski’s schools

Are Nikiski’s schools good?

By Alaska’s own tests, yes: the public schools Nikiski 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 68%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Nikiski in?

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,510 students in 42 schools (2024–25).

What is Nikiski’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 Nikiski 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 Nikiski families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Nikiski → 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.