Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District in Alaska is home to 33 schools, including 20 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 7 high schools, and 2 alternative schools. These schools serve a diverse student population and exhibit a wide range of academic performance, with some standout institutions leading the way.

Among the top-performing schools in the district are Watershed Charter School, which consistently ranks among the best elementary schools in the state, and Anderson Crawford Elementary, which also boasts exceptional academic achievement. At the high school level, Ben Eielson Junior/Senior High School stands out as one of the top-performing high schools in Alaska. Additionally, Two Rivers School has seen significant improvement, moving from the bottom half of the state to the top 40 elementary schools.

However, the district as a whole is rated 3 out of 5 stars by SchoolDigger, indicating room for improvement. Schools with higher percentages of minority and economically disadvantaged students, such as Hunter Elementary and Denali Elementary, struggle the most with low proficiency rates, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support. The wide range in per-student spending and student-teacher ratios across the district also suggest that factors beyond just funding, such as curriculum, teaching quality, and school culture, play a significant role in academic outcomes.