Very Good

#89 of 412 schools in AK

Top 21% in state

Nelson Island Area School

School · Lower Kuskokwim School District

General Delivery, Toksook Bay, AK 99637

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

169

Student-Teacher

21.1:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Enrollment

169

Student-Teacher

21.1:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#89 of 412

In district

#4 of 26

Lower Kuskokwim School District

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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

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

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

About Nelson Island Area School

Nelson Island Area School is a public school in Toksook Bay, AK, part of Lower Kuskokwim School District. Nelson Island Area School serves approximately 169 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 21.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Nelson Island Area School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #89 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Nelson Island Area School show 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 7% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts above district

7.4

This school 7.4 · Very Good
District avg 6.3
AK avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 169 students, Nelson Island Area 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.

Test scores at Nelson Island Area School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Nelson Island Area School runs 21.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics

Student Progress9.8Excellent25%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-1.24 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics3.1Needs Improvement25%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency3% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)12% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected-9.4 pts

Adjusted Percentile13th

College Readiness9.9Excellent30%

Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.

View breakdown

4-Year Graduation Rate80%+

IB ProgramNo

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio21.1:1

Per-Pupil Spending$41,997

Chronic Absenteeism46.7%

Nelson Island Area School — Students at Nelson Island Area School score 2% 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

101.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 9.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 7.0% (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

22%

ELA

27%

2010

Math

12%

ELA

12%

2011

Math

17%

ELA

17%

2012

Math

12%

ELA

7.5%

2013

Math

12%

ELA

7.5%

2014

Math

2.5%

ELA

2.5%

2016

Math

2.5%

ELA

2.5%

2017

Math

2.5%

ELA

2.5%

2018

Math

2.5%

ELA

2.5%

2019

Math

2.5%

ELA

2.5%

2020*

Math

15%

ELA

2.5%

2021*

Math

15%

ELA

2.5%

2022

Math

2.5%

ELA

2.5%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Nelson Island Area School Compares

See how Nelson Island Area School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

7.4/10

79th percentile in AK

Academic

3.1/10

Needs Improvement

Growth

9.8/10

Excellent

Environment

5.9/10

Average

Advanced STEM

5/5

Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

102%

Teaching Staff

21:1 student-teacher ratio

8 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

46.7%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered

Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

General Delivery, Toksook Bay, AK 99637

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nelson Island Area School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Ayaprun School (rated 8.3/10, 32.3 miles away, in nearby Newtok), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Paul T. Albert Memorial School (rated 5.3/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Tununak), a more accessible option. Additionally, Negtemiut Elitnaurviat School (rated 5.2/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Nightmute), a more accessible option. For more schools in Toksook Bay, see our Toksook Bay schools guide .

Nearby Schools

3 within 32.3 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Paul T. Albert Memorial School Tununak	6.1 mi	110	5.3
Negtemiut Elitnaurviat School Nightmute	13.7 mi	84	5.2
Ayaprun School Newtok	32.3 mi	33	8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99637 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,019

Median Home Value

$91,600

Median Rent

$740/mo

Population

999

College Educated

10.6%

Homeownership

74.4%

Poverty Rate

27%

Median Age

24.6

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Kwigillingok School Kwigillingok, AK	117	7.4
Tuluksak School Tuluksak, AK	124	7.4
Upstream Learning Correspondence Glennallen, AK	120	7.4
AKTEACH Kodiak, AK	151	7.5
Ninilchik School Ninilchik, AK	106	7.3
Anna Tobeluk Memorial School Nunapitchuk, AK	173	7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nelson Island Area School

What grades does Nelson Island Area School serve?

Nelson Island Area School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Nelson Island Area School?

Nelson Island Area School has an enrollment of approximately 169 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nelson Island Area School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nelson Island Area School is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nelson Island Area School rank in AK?

Nelson Island Area School ranks #89 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Nelson Island Area School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nelson Island Area School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Nelson Island Area School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nelson Island Area School has 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 7% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Nelson Island Area School a charter school?

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

Is Nelson Island Area School a Title I school?

No, Nelson Island Area School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nelson Island Area School?

101.8% of students at Nelson Island Area 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.