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Valdez aerialPhoto: Joseph from Cabin On The Road, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
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Schools in Valdez · Valdez City School District

Valdez’s public schools outscore 62% of Alaska districts

Reading proficiency in Valdez’s districts is 38%, above the Alaska average (29%). The grade covers the public school district serving Valdez, 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.

#28of 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
38%
▲ 9 pts vs AK 29%
2021–22
Math proficiency
27%
▲ 4 pts vs AK 23%
2021–22
Graduate on time
70–79%
▼ 1–8 pts vs AK 78%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$30.3K
▲ 44% vs AK $21.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.3
AK 15.7 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
605 students on the public path
In brief

Valdez’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 92 Alaska towns with household incomes within a quarter of Valdez’s, its schools beat 43%, lower than their 62% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 38% and math 27% in spring 2022, against 29% and 23% statewide; 70–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $30,328 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 George H. Gilson Middle School, then Valdez High School. 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 Valdez’s grade

A− Test scoresC Graduation

B: better than 62% of Alaska school districts, #28 of 41 Alaska towns. Test scores are above the Alaska average; graduation is below it.

Alaska school districts we grade (48)Better than 62%
Lower resultsHigher results
Alaska towns with similar household incomes (92)Better than 43%
B−A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 354 test results and a graduating class of 47 could put Valdez anywhere from B− to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 90% of Valdez’s students in the tested grades sat them (351 in math, 358 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Hermon Hutchens ElementaryValdez City School DistrictA−
6–8George H. Gilson Middle SchoolValdez City School DistrictA−
9–12Valdez High SchoolValdez City School DistrictB

Valdez’s public schools are run by Valdez City School District. 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.

Valdez City School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 605 students, up 4% since 2020–21 · 13.3 per teacher (AK 15.7)
$30,328AK $21,070 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading38%
State average 29.4% · 358 students tested
Math27%
State average 22.8% · 351 students tested

Valdez vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ValdezBValdez City

Every school in Valdez

3 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 Valdezby address
Hermon Hutchens Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A−
287 students12:1Rate it →
George H. Gilson Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A−
143 students16:1Rate it →
Valdez High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
175 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Valdez’s schools

Are Valdez’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Alaska: the public schools Valdez children attend outscore 62% of Alaska’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #28 of 41 Alaska towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 43%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Valdez in?

Valdez City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 605 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Valdez kids go to high school?

Valdez High School, with 175 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Valdez’s graduation rate?

70–79% of the class of 2023 in Valdez City School District graduated in four years, against 78% across Alaska.

How much does Valdez spend per student?

$30,328 in Valdez City School District (FY2024), against $21,070 across Alaska. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Valdez families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Valdez → 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.