Fairbanks North Star Borough Schools & Education
Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
School Score
43/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
71.1%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
71.1%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 79.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,557
National avg $13,239
State avg $13,745
School Score
43/100
Higher = better
State avg 56/100
State School Rank
#27
of 29 counties (1 = best)
Explore Fairbanks North Star Borough across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
Education at Scale in the Interior
Fairbanks North Star Borough maintains a robust system of 35 public schools serving over 22,000 students. The landscape features 20 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 7 high schools, primarily managed by a single borough-wide district. This infrastructure supports a diverse student body across urban and suburban settings.
Efficiency Amidst Academic Challenges
The borough spends $9,557 per student, which is notably lower than the state average of $13,745 and the national $13,000 benchmark. The graduation rate of 71.1% and a school score of 49.1 suggest the district faces challenges in meeting state and national performance targets. Local educators continue to work toward closing these achievement gaps.
A Hub for School Choice
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is the primary provider, educating 12,703 students across 33 schools. The borough stands out for its school choice, offering five charter schools that represent over 14% of the local options. Massive correspondence programs like IDEA also serve thousands of students from this regional hub.
A Mix of City and Suburb
Schools here are split evenly between city and suburban locales, providing a more traditional 'lower 48' feel than much of Alaska. While the average school size is 639 students, traditional campuses like West Valley High School host 906 students. This diversity of settings allows families to choose between bustling urban centers and quieter rural outskirts.
Settling in the North Star Borough
Homebuyers in Fairbanks often seek properties near the highly-rated elementary schools or within the boundaries of the major high schools. With a wide array of charter and traditional options, the borough offers flexibility for every type of learner. Use school performance data to guide your home search in this vibrant interior community.
School Overview
Total Schools
35
in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Total Enrollment
22,373
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
5
14% of total
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
35 Public Schools in Fairbanks North Star Borough
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Distance Education of Alaska (IDEA) | Galena City School District | PK–12 | Other | 6,899 |
| Raven School | Yukon-Koyukuk School District | PK–12 | Other | 2,771 |
| West Valley High School | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | 9–12 | High | 906 |
| Lathrop High School | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | 9–12 | High | 886 |
| Fairbanks B.E.S.T. | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | PK–12 | Other | 801 |
| North Pole High School | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | 9–12 | High | 617 |
| Tanana Middle School | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | 6–8 | Middle | 545 |
| Ryan Middle School | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | 6–8 | Middle | 543 |
| North Pole Middle School | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | 6–8 | Middle | 531 |
| Arctic Light Elementary | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | PK–5 | Primary | 467 |
| Weller Elementary | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | PK–5 | Primary | 467 |
| Crawford Elementary | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | KG–5 | Primary | 447 |
| Ladd Elementary | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | PK–8 | Primary | 437 |
| Barnette Magnet School | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | PK–8 | Primary | 426 |
| Ben Eielson Jr/Sr High School | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | 6–12 | High | 411 |
| Pearl Creek Elementary | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | PK–5 | Primary | 411 |
| Randy Smith Middle School | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | 6–8 | Middle | 407 |
| Ticasuk Brown Elementary | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | PK–5 | Primary | 397 |
| Anne Wien Elementary | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | PK–5 | Primary | 380 |
| Hutchison High School | Fairbanks North Star Borough School District | 9–12 | Vocational | 375 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,557
State avg $13,745
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Fairbanks North Star Borough filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska?
Fairbanks North Star Borough maintains a robust system of 35 public schools serving over 22,000 students. The landscape features 20 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 7 high schools, primarily managed by a single borough-wide district. This infrastructure supports a diverse student body across urban and suburban settings.
How do schools in Fairbanks North Star Borough perform academically?
The borough spends $9,557 per student, which is notably lower than the state average of $13,745 and the national $13,000 benchmark. The graduation rate of 71.1% and a school score of 49.1 suggest the district faces challenges in meeting state and national performance targets. Local educators continue to work toward closing these achievement gaps.
What are the major school districts in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska?
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is the primary provider, educating 12,703 students across 33 schools. The borough stands out for its school choice, offering five charter schools that represent over 14% of the local options. Massive correspondence programs like IDEA also serve thousands of students from this regional hub.
What is the school experience like in Fairbanks North Star Borough?
Schools here are split evenly between city and suburban locales, providing a more traditional 'lower 48' feel than much of Alaska. While the average school size is 639 students, traditional campuses like West Valley High School host 906 students. This diversity of settings allows families to choose between bustling urban centers and quieter rural outskirts.
How can I find homes near good schools in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska?
Homebuyers in Fairbanks often seek properties near the highly-rated elementary schools or within the boundaries of the major high schools. With a wide array of charter and traditional options, the borough offers flexibility for every type of learner. Use school performance data to guide your home search in this vibrant interior community.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.