Skip to main content

Average

#281 of 412 schools in AK

James C. Isabell School

School · Bering Strait School District

100 Airport Ave, Teller, AK 99778

Enrollment

69

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#281 of 412

In district

#10 of 14

Bering Strait School District

School environment

8.5 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around James C. Isabell School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

How to read the page

Use these cues before treating a single rating as the whole decision.

Read the score in context

James C. Isabell School rates 5.5/10, but the right move still depends on grade fit, commute, and peer alternatives.

Check nearby context

Nearby schools help show whether this profile is an outlier or part of a broader local pattern.

Confirm the zone

Bering Strait School District context matters only if your exact address is eligible for this school.

About James C. Isabell School

James C. Isabell School is a public school in Teller, AK, part of Bering Strait School District. James C.

Isabell School serves approximately 69 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. James C. Isabell School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #281 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for James C. Isabell School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • AK avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 69 students, James C. Isabell School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 9.9:1 students to teachers, James C. Isabell School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

James C. Isabell 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-6.92 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency5% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)15% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness8.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate50%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$47,252
Chronic Absenteeism73.9%

James C. Isabell School — Students at James C. Isabell School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.7% (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
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2010
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2011
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2012
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2013
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2014
Math
34.5%
ELA
5%
2016
Math
24.5%
ELA
5%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2018
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
5%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How James C. Isabell School Compares

See how James C. Isabell School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
32th percentile in AK
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
Sports
2
1 boys' · 1 girls'

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
73.9%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics2sports offered
1 boys'·1 girls'·2 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

100 Airport Ave, Teller, AK 99778

Nearby Schools

1 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Brevig Mission School Brevig Mission 5.9 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99778 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,500

Median Home Value

$56,700

Median Rent

$1,008/mo

Population

309

College Educated

2.9%

Homeownership

58.3%

Poverty Rate

32.4%

Median Age

31.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fast Track Ketchikan, AK 5.3
John Fredson School Venetie, AK 5.7
Mertarvik School Newtok, AK 5.7
Angoon School Angoon, AK 5.2
David Louis Memorial School Grayling, AK 5.8
Negtemiut Elitnaurviat School Nightmute, AK 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James C. Isabell School

What grades does James C. Isabell School serve?

James C. Isabell School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend James C. Isabell School?

James C. Isabell School has an enrollment of approximately 69 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James C. Isabell School?

The student-teacher ratio at James C. Isabell School is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James C. Isabell School rank in AK?

James C. Isabell School ranks #281 of 412 schools in AK.

What is James C. Isabell School's MySchoolScout rating?

James C. Isabell School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 James C. Isabell School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James C. Isabell School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is James C. Isabell School a charter school?

No, James C. Isabell School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is James C. Isabell School a Title I school?

No, James C. Isabell School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James C. Isabell School?

91.3% of students at James C. Isabell 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.

2 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
69
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Nome Census Area
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
73.9%
4-Year Graduation
50%+

District

Bering Strait School District
District Enrollment
1,783
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$47,252
District Rank
#10 of 14

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.