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Very Good

#54 of 412 schools in AK

Top 13% in state

Nanwalek School

School · Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

PO Box 8007, Nanwalek, AK 99603

Enrollment

81

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#15 of 143

In district

#5 of 35

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Nanwalek School

Nanwalek School is a PK through 12th grade regular public school located in the remote rural setting of Nanwalek, Alaska, part of the Kenai Peninsula Borough. With an enrollment of 81 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment. The school has seven full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the diverse needs of its students.

Nanwalek School's academic performance is currently rated at 3.4 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 36th percentile among Alaska schools. The school's proficiency rates in ELA/Reading and Math are 15% and 5%, respectively, indicating areas for growth and improvement in academic achievement. However, the school is likely focusing on student development and providing additional support to help students succeed.

The surrounding community of Nanwalek is characterized by a median household income of $73,007 and a median home value of $333,800. About 40% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 13.2%. Nanwalek School is an integral part of this close-knit rural community, fostering a supportive environment for students to thrive.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 81 students, Nanwalek School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Nanwalek School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)12%
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,242

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 5.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 8.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AK state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
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: 9.7/10.

How Nanwalek School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
87th percentile in AK
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

PO Box 8007, Nanwalek, AK 99603

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nanwalek School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Port Graham School (rated 7.2/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Port Graham), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Susan B English School (rated 6.6/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Seldovia), with a comparable rating. 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 7.2
Susan B English School Seldovia 9.5 mi 6.6
Chapman School Anchor Point 29.3 mi 4.9
Fireweed Academy Homer 23.5 mi 8.4
West Homer Elementary Homer 23.5 mi 6.1
Homer Middle School Homer 23.7 mi 5.9
Homer High School Homer 24.7 mi 5.1
Homer Flex School Homer 24.8 mi 8.6
Paul Banks Elementary Homer 25.2 mi 7.2
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nanwalek School has a median household income of $76,368. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $345,600, with a median rent of $1,236/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Deering School Deering, AK 7.5
Walter Northway School Northway, AK 7.5
Kali School Point Lay, AK 7.6
Koyuk-Malimiut School Koyuk, AK 7.4
White Mountain School White Mountain, AK 7.6
Meade River School Atqasuk, AK 7.3

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 is ranked #54 out of 412 schools in AK.

What is Nanwalek School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nanwalek School has a composite rating of 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Nanwalek School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nanwalek School has 5.0% math proficiency and 8.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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