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Houghtaling Elementary

Summary:

Houghtaling Elementary is a public elementary school in Ketchikan, Alaska, serving 310 students in grades PK-6. The school is part of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District, which is ranked 17 out of 24 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Houghtaling Elementary stands out for its diverse student population, with a significant percentage of Native American (30.97%) and Asian (15.48%) students, which is higher than the state average. However, the school's academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, is generally below the district and state averages. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts (25.16%) and Mathematics (25.63%) were lower than the district (28.6% and 28.85%) and state (31.5% and 31.11%) averages. Additionally, the school's performance varies significantly among different student subgroups, with Asian students performing exceptionally well, while White and Native American students perform below average.

Compared to nearby schools in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District, such as Richard Johnson Elementary, Point Higgins School, and Fawn Mountain Elementary, Houghtaling Elementary generally underperforms in academic achievement. However, the school's student-teacher ratio of 9.1 is more favorable than the nearby schools and the state average. The high percentage of students (59.03%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch at Houghtaling Elementary suggests that socioeconomic factors may be contributing to the school's academic challenges, and addressing these factors could be crucial for improving student outcomes.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 2940 Baranof
       Ketchikan, AK  99901

(907) 225-4128

District: Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
133rd of 173 Alaska Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $21,228 Help


Students who attend Houghtaling Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Schoenbar Middle School
High:    Ketchikan High School

Student/teacher ratio:  10.3 Help
Number of students:  289

Racial breakdown:

White:
38.4%
American Indian:
34.9%
Asian:
14.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  58.1% Help


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 Compare Houghtaling Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Houghtaling Elementary ranks worse than 76.9% of elementary schools in Alaska. It also ranks 4th among 5 ranked elementary schools in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 24.46. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Houghtaling Elementary has the largest elementary school student body size in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District. Student population at Houghtaling Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (38.4%), American Indian (34.9%), Asian (14.5%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 58.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Houghtaling Elementary is 10.3, which is the 2nd best among 5 elementary schools in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Houghtaling Elementary employs 28 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Houghtaling Elementary is $21,228, which is the highest among 5 elementary schools in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Houghtaling Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Houghtaling Elementary 133rd of 173 Alaska public elementary schools. (See Houghtaling Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
Native American students:
White students:


Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District 17th of 24 Alaska school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Houghtaling Elementary?

Rank History for Houghtaling Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Houghtaling Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 47.34 137th 213 35.7%
2006 61.49 108th 218 50.5%
2007 61.95 101st 212 52.4%
2008 64.35 92nd 219 58.0%
2009 74.93 50th 226 77.9%
2010 74.95 53rd 229 76.9%
2011 63.60 95th 223 57.4%
2012 55.19 120th 227 47.1%
2013 56.46 116th 223 48.0%
2014 68.18 73rd 218 66.5%
2015 60.68 90th 246 63.4%
2017 48.98 90th 180 50.0%
2018 29.08 143rd 186 23.1%
2019 27.53 141st 185 23.8%
2021 40.06 103rd 173 40.5%
2022 39.51 104th 171 39.2%
2023 36.47 115th 176 34.7%
2024 24.46 133rd 173 23.1%
See the entire list of Alaska Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Houghtaling Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 77.25 6th 41 85.4%
2021 51.56 9th 22 59.1%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Houghtaling Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 30.43 108th 147 26.5%
2021 31.65 74th 110 32.7%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Houghtaling Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 31.19 117th 159 26.4%
2021 43.93 75th 141 46.8%
2022 48.03 67th 143 53.1%
2023 38.87 89th 152 41.4%
2024 29.34 103rd 142 27.5%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Houghtaling Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 23.86 132nd 159 17.0%
2021 27.22 110th 142 22.5%
2022 28.44 111th 148 25.0%
2023 36.74 97th 148 34.5%
2024 33.65 105th 150 30.0%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Houghtaling Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 42.55 23rd 41 43.9%
2021 55.91 9th 25 64.0%
2022 81.16 2nd 26 92.3%
2023 81.26 3rd 36 91.7%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Native American students at Houghtaling Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 38.28 36th 50 28.0%
2021 54.28 9th 22 59.1%
2023 28.66 16th 23 30.4%
2024 58.77 5th 20 75.0%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Native American Students!

Rank History for White students at Houghtaling Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 32.13 107th 147 27.2%
2021 20.23 117th 127 7.9%
2022 32.77 101st 137 26.3%
2023 32.96 103rd 138 25.4%
2024 13.99 126th 133 5.3%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Houghtaling Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Sunday, April 24, 2022

Open Quote My daughter attends 2nd grade here. Her teacher has been nothing but wonderful. The front office staff and administration are always helpful and friendly. They remember students' names so well. While the building is older than other local schools, it is kept clean and well maintained. The smaller class sizes are great as well! My daughter has had a wonderful year here! She is always excited to go, which is a good sign. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Houghtaling Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 327 6 29 1 131 n/a n/a 0 494
1990 362 7 30 0 134 n/a n/a 0 533
1991 354 6 31 1 129 n/a n/a 0 521
1992 346 4 32 2 124 n/a n/a 0 508
1993 363 3 35 5 134 n/a n/a 0 540
1994 362 5 35 6 140 n/a n/a 0 548
1995 349 6 34 10 147 n/a n/a 0 546
1996 349 6 34 10 147 n/a n/a 0 546
1997 327 5 42 9 152 n/a n/a 0 535
1998 296 7 44 9 153 n/a n/a 0 509
1999 274 3 45 13 165 n/a n/a 0 500
2000 263 3 33 11 179 n/a n/a 0 489
2001 205 1 29 10 144 n/a n/a 0 389
2002 194 7 46 5 169 n/a n/a 0 421
2003 194 7 46 5 169 n/a n/a 0 421
2004 193 5 42 10 186 n/a n/a 0 436
2005 207 4 44 17 188 n/a n/a 0 460
2006 207 8 58 27 176 n/a n/a 0 476
2007 182 6 46 26 144 n/a n/a 0 404
2008 191 10 48 19 146 n/a n/a 0 414
2009 171 7 12 18 133 34 2 0 377
2010 161 6 26 19 112 30 1 0 355
2011 165 5 41 17 118 22 4 0 372
2012 144 6 41 12 108 9 4 0 324
2013 152 8 51 7 115 3 5 0 341
2014 150 6 44 8 107 3 7 0 325
2015 153 4 51 6 119 4 9 0 346
2016 157 3 62 4 123 4 11 0 364
2017 157 2 71 8 132 4 18 0 392
2018 135 0 72 8 124 3 24 0 366
2019 150 1 71 7 113 3 34 0 379
2020 160 0 68 6 119 4 37 0 394
2021 141 2 65 3 104 2 32 0 349
2022 132 1 55 2 96 5 32 0 323
2023 133 2 48 1 96 3 27 0 310
2024 111 3 42 3 101 4 25 0 289

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Houghtaling Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 494 25.0 19.7 11.1
1990 533 26.5 20.1 10.5
1991 521 24.0 21.7 7.1
1992 508 24.0 21.1 8.3
1993 540 24.0 22.5 7.8
1994 548 24.0 22.8 7.7
1995 546 26.0 21.0 11.9
1996 546 26.0 21.0 11.9
1997 535 26.0 20.6 11.6
1998 509 24.0 21.2 21.4
1999 500 24.5 20.4 23.2
2000 489 24.0 20.4 26
2001 389 22.0 17.7 23.7
2002 421 21.0 20.0 28.3
2003 421 21.0 20.0 28.3
2004 436 26.0 16.8 45
2005 460 28.0 16.4 46.5
2006 476 26.5 18.0 41.8
2007 404 29.0 13.9 48.8
2008 414 28.0 14.8 46.1
2009 377 27.0 14.0 44
2010 355 26.0 13.6 43.9
2011 372 25.0 14.8 48.1
2012 324 26.0 12.4 49.1
2013 341 26.0 13.1 49.6
2014 325 27.0 12.0 45.8
2015 346 25.0 13.8 45.4
2016 364 24.0 15.1 45.6
2017 392 25.0 15.6 51.3
2018 366 26.0 14.0 51.9
2019 379 25.0 15.1 51.5
2020 394 27.6 14.2 44.4
2021 349 30.0 11.6 n/a
2022 323 30.0 10.7 n/a
2023 310 34.0 9.1 59
2024 289 28.0 10.3 58.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Houghtaling Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 494 25.0 19.7 11.1
1990 533 26.5 20.1 10.5
1991 521 24.0 21.7 7.1
1992 508 24.0 21.1 8.3
1993 540 24.0 22.5 7.8
1994 548 24.0 22.8 7.7
1995 546 26.0 21.0 11.9
1996 546 26.0 21.0 11.9
1997 535 26.0 20.6 11.6
1998 509 24.0 21.2 21.4
1999 500 24.5 20.4 23.2
2000 489 24.0 20.4 26
2001 389 22.0 17.7 23.7
2002 421 21.0 20.0 28.3
2003 421 21.0 20.0 28.3
2004 436 26.0 16.8 45
2005 460 28.0 16.4 46.5
2006 476 26.5 18.0 41.8
2007 404 29.0 13.9 48.8
2008 414 28.0 14.8 46.1
2009 377 27.0 14.0 44
2010 355 26.0 13.6 43.9
2011 372 25.0 14.8 48.1
2012 324 26.0 12.4 49.1
2013 341 26.0 13.1 49.6
2014 325 27.0 12.0 45.8
2015 346 25.0 13.8 45.4
2016 364 24.0 15.1 45.6
2017 392 25.0 15.6 51.3
2018 366 26.0 14.0 51.9
2019 379 25.0 15.1 51.5
2020 394 27.6 14.2 44.4
2021 349 30.0 11.6 n/a
2022 323 30.0 10.7 n/a
2023 310 34.0 9.1 59
2024 289 28.0 10.3 58.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Houghtaling Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,764 (8.3%) $19,464 (91.7%) $21,228

Data source: Alaska Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Houghtaling Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 141st of 185 Elementary schoolsRanks 115th of 176 Elementary schools
 10.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
All Grades Science (Houghtaling Elementary)2543.5
 18.5%
   All Grades Science (Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District)53.537
 16.4%
   All Grades Science (Alaska)44.736.9
 7.7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students379310
 18.2%
African American12
 100%
American Indian11396
 15%
Asian7148
 32.4%
Hispanic71
 85.7%
Pacific Islander33
White150133
 11.3%
Two or More Races3427
 20.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients51.5%59%
 7.6%

Schools Near Houghtaling Elementary








Frequently Asked Questions about Houghtaling Elementary

Students who attend Houghtaling Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Schoenbar Middle School
High : Ketchikan High School

Students at Houghtaling Elementary are 38% White, 35% American Indian, 15% Asian, 9% Two or more races, 1% Pacific Islander, 1% African American, 1% Hispanic.

Houghtaling Elementary ranks in the bottom 23.1% of Alaska elementary schools.

In the 2023-24 school year, 289 students attended Houghtaling Elementary.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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