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Needs Improvement

#403 of 412 schools in AK

Houston High School

High School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

PO Box 940315, Houston, AK 99694

Enrollment

372

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

3.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#403 of 412

In district

#43 of 45

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

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Houston High School

3.8/10

High School in Houston · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Houston Middle School

3.1/10

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

Big Lake Elementary

5.6/10

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

About Houston High School

Houston High School is a public high school in Houston, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Houston High School serves approximately 372 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Houston High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #403 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Houston High School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.0
  • AK avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Houston High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

70% of students at Houston High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-5.97 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-17.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness5.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate72%
AP Participation16.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,575
Chronic Absenteeism69.9%

Houston High School — Students at Houston High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.5% (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
74%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
61%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Houston High School Compares

See how Houston High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
2th percentile in AK
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
16
7 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
69.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
16.4% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics16sports offered
7 boys'·9 girls'·23 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

PO Box 940315, Houston, AK 99694

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Houston High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Joe Redington Senior Jr/Sr High School (rated 6.9/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Wasilla), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chugiak High School (rated 5.8/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Chugiak), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burchell High School (rated 5.2/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Wasilla), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Houston Middle School Big Lake 0.2 mi 3.1
Big Lake Elementary Big Lake 3.9 mi 5.6
Joe Redington Senior Jr/Sr High School Wasilla 6.5 mi 6.9
Dena'ina Elementary School Wasilla 6.8 mi 8.1
Midnight Sun Family Learning Center Wasilla 4.5 mi 7.2
American Charter Academy Wasilla 4.5 mi 7.1
Meadow Lakes Elementary Wasilla 5.1 mi 4.0
Goose Bay Elementary Wasilla 6.2 mi 7.2
Knik Elementary School Wasilla 6.2 mi 7.0
Snowshoe Elementary Wasilla 9.7 mi 6.8
Burchell High School Wasilla 9.1 mi 5.2
Willow Elementary Willow 13.9 mi 8.2
Tanaina Elementary Wasilla 10.4 mi 6.2
Twindly Bridge Charter School Wasilla 10.6 mi 5.0
Birchwood ABC Elementary Eagle River 16.9 mi 8.9
Chugiak High School Chugiak 17.1 mi 5.8
Distance Learning/Corresp. Ctr. Eagle River 18.8 mi 8.2
Iditarod Elementary Wasilla 10.8 mi 6.3
Fire Lake Elementary Eagle River 18.5 mi 7.0
Eagle Academy Charter School Eagle River 19.7 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99694 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,411

Median Home Value

$234,500

Median Rent

$1,216/mo

Population

1,406

College Educated

16.4%

Homeownership

76.4%

Avg Commute

59.6 min

Poverty Rate

20%

Median Age

39.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Barrow High School Utqiagvik, AK 4.3
Hutchison High School Fairbanks, AK 5.1
Kotzebue Middle/High School Kotzebue, AK 5.1
Alaska Middle College School Anchorage, AK 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Houston High School

What grades does Houston High School serve?

Houston High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Houston High School?

Houston High School has an enrollment of approximately 372 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Houston High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Houston High School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Houston High School rank in AK?

Houston High School ranks #403 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Houston High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Houston High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Houston High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Houston High School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Houston High School a charter school?

No, Houston High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Houston High School a Title I school?

No, Houston High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Houston High School?

41.9% of students at Houston High School 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
372
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
69.9%
4-Year Graduation
72.0%

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