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Below Average

#380 of 412 schools in AK

Nanwalek School

School · Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

PO Box 8007, Nanwalek, AK 99603

Enrollment

81

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#380 of 412

In district

#34 of 35

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Nanwalek School

4.2/10

School in Nanwalek · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Port Graham School

4.9/10

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

Susan B English School

7.5/10

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

About Nanwalek School

Nanwalek School is a public school in Nanwalek, AK, part of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. Nanwalek School serves approximately 81 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Nanwalek School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #380 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Nanwalek School show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • AK avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 81 students, Nanwalek 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.

Nanwalek 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.

58% of students at Nanwalek 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 Progress1.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-6.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)12% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College Readiness3.1Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,862
Chronic Absenteeism58%

Nanwalek School — Students at Nanwalek School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.5% (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
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2010
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2011
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2012
Math
34.5%
ELA
74.5%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
54.5%
2014
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2016
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2018
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
15%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How Nanwalek School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
8th percentile in AK
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
58.0%

Location

PO Box 8007, Nanwalek, AK 99603

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nanwalek School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Susan B English School (rated 7.5/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Seldovia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Port Graham School (rated 4.9/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Port Graham), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Nanwalek, see our Nanwalek schools guide .

Nearby Schools

10 within 33.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Port Graham School Port Graham 3.1 mi 4.9
Susan B English School Seldovia 9.5 mi 7.5
Chapman School Anchor Point 29.3 mi 5.0
Fireweed Academy Homer 23.5 mi 7.4
West Homer Elementary Homer 23.5 mi 7.6
Homer Middle School Homer 23.7 mi 7.9
Homer High School Homer 24.7 mi 6.7
Homer Flex School Homer 24.8 mi 7.6
Paul Banks Elementary Homer 25.2 mi 6.8
Nikolaevsk School Nikolaevsk 33.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99603 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,368

Median Home Value

$345,600

Median Rent

$1,236/mo

Population

11,557

College Educated

39.2%

Homeownership

77.2%

Avg Commute

15.4 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

39.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Minto School Minto, AK 4.2
Ambler School Ambler, AK 4.1
Harold Kaveolook School Kaktovik, AK 4.1
Deering School Deering, AK 4.4
Jimmy Huntington School Huslia, AK 4.4
White Mountain School White Mountain, AK 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nanwalek School

What grades does Nanwalek School serve?

Nanwalek School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Nanwalek School?

Nanwalek School has an enrollment of approximately 81 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nanwalek School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nanwalek School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nanwalek School rank in AK?

Nanwalek School ranks #380 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Nanwalek School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nanwalek School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Nanwalek School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nanwalek School has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Nanwalek School a charter school?

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

Is Nanwalek School a Title I school?

No, Nanwalek School is not currently a Title I school.

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

100.0% of students at Nanwalek 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
81
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
58.0%

District

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
District Enrollment
8,499
Schools in District
42
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,862
District Rank
#34 of 35

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