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Below Average

#394 of 412 schools in AK

Denali Elementary

Elementary School · Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

1042 Lathrop St, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Enrollment

286

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#394 of 412

In Fairbanks

#23 of 27

public schools

In district

#28 of 32

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

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Denali Elementary

4.0/10

Elementary School in Fairbanks · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ryan Middle School

4.2/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Randy Smith Middle School

5.7/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Denali Elementary

Denali Elementary is a public elementary school in Fairbanks, AK, part of Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. Denali Elementary serves approximately 286 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Denali Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #394 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Denali Elementary show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • AK avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

49% of students at Denali Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-5.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,616
Chronic Absenteeism48.6%

Denali Elementary — Students at Denali Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from AK state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
77%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
74%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
70%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
17%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.

How Denali Elementary Compares

See how Denali Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
5th percentile in AK
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1042 Lathrop St, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Denali Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Barnette Magnet School (rated 7.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SPRUCETREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chinook Montessori Charter School (rated 6.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fairbanks, see our Fairbanks schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Ryan Middle School Fairbanks 0.5 mi 4.2
Randy Smith Middle School Fairbanks 1.0 mi 5.7
Lathrop High School Fairbanks 0.6 mi 5.4
Anne Wien Elementary Fairbanks 1.2 mi 3.9
Golden Heart Academy Fairbanks 0.7 mi
Barnette Magnet School Fairbanks 0.6 mi 7.5
Hunter Elementary Fairbanks 0.8 mi 4.0
Chinook Montessori Charter School Fairbanks 1.4 mi 6.5
Boreal Sun Charter School Fairbanks 1.2 mi 3.9
FAIRBANKS MONTESSORI ASSOCIATION Fairbanks 1.4 mi
SPRUCETREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Fairbanks 0.9 mi 7.4
Interior Distance Education of Alaska (IDEA) Fairbanks 2.0 mi 6.8
MONROE JR, SR HIGH SCHOOLS OF FAIRBANKS Fairbanks 1.2 mi 6.1
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Fairbanks 1.2 mi 7.1
Alternative Learning Systems Fairbanks 1.7 mi 6.3
Fairbanks B.E.S.T. Fairbanks 1.7 mi 6.9
Arctic Light Elementary Fort Wainwright 1.9 mi 6.0
Hutchison High School Fairbanks 2.1 mi 5.1
West Valley High School Fairbanks 2.4 mi 5.9
FAIRHILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fairbanks 2.7 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,551

Median Home Value

$235,300

Median Rent

$1,233/mo

Population

17,564

College Educated

24.8%

Homeownership

46.1%

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

34.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Hunter Elementary Fairbanks, AK 4.0
Lake Otis Elementary Anchorage, AK 4.0
Meadow Lakes Elementary Wasilla, AK 4.0
Baxter Elementary Anchorage, AK 4.1
Chester Valley Elementary Anchorage, AK 4.1
Ticasuk Brown Elementary Fairbanks, AK 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Denali Elementary

What grades does Denali Elementary serve?

Denali Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Denali Elementary?

Denali Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 286 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Denali Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Denali Elementary is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Denali Elementary rank in AK?

Denali Elementary ranks #394 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Denali Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Denali Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Denali Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Denali Elementary has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Denali Elementary a charter school?

No, Denali Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Denali Elementary a Title I school?

No, Denali Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Denali Elementary?

55.9% of students at Denali Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
71 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.6%

District

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
District Enrollment
12,541
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,616
District Rank
#28 of 32

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