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#299 of 412 schools in AK

Nikiski North Star Elementary

Elementary School · Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

45600 Holt Lamplight Rd, Kenai, AK 99611

Enrollment

252

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#299 of 412

In Kenai

#6 of 7

public schools

In district

#25 of 35

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Nikiski North Star Elementary

5.3/10

Elementary School in Kenai · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Nikiski Middle/senior High School

5.6/10

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

Kaleidoscope School of Arts & Science

4.5/10

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

About Nikiski North Star Elementary

Nikiski North Star Elementary is a public elementary school in Kenai, AK, part of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. Nikiski North Star Elementary serves approximately 252 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Nikiski North Star Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #299 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Nikiski North Star Elementary show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • AK avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Nikiski North Star Elementary 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.

48% of students at Nikiski North Star Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-5.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,862
Chronic Absenteeism48.4%

Nikiski North Star Elementary — Students at Nikiski North Star Elementary score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.7% (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
83%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
22%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Nikiski North Star Elementary Compares

See how Nikiski North Star Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
28th percentile in AK
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.4%

Location

45600 Holt Lamplight Rd, Kenai, AK 99611

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nikiski North Star Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aurora Borealis Charter School (rated 9.5/10, 7.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Soldotna Montessori Charter School (rated 8.5/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Soldotna), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tustumena Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 24.4 miles away, in nearby Kasilof), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kenai, see our Kenai schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Nikiski Middle/Senior High School Nikiski 5.1 mi 5.6
Kaleidoscope School of Arts & Science Kenai 6.4 mi 4.5
Marathon School Kenai 6.8 mi
Aurora Borealis Charter School Kenai 7.4 mi 9.5
Kenai Alternative High School Kenai 7.5 mi 6.1
Kenai Central High School Kenai 7.3 mi 5.6
Kenai Middle School Kenai 7.4 mi 5.8
Mt. View Elementary Kenai 7.6 mi 5.8
WINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kenai 10.2 mi 7.0
Kalifornsky Beach Elementary Soldotna 13.0 mi 5.2
COOK INLET ACADEMY Soldotna 14.3 mi 6.9
Soldotna High School Soldotna 13.3 mi 4.8
Redoubt Elementary Soldotna 13.6 mi 6.6
Skyview Middle School Soldotna 15.4 mi 4.3
River City Academy Soldotna 15.4 mi 7.9
Soldotna Montessori Charter School Soldotna 13.9 mi 8.5
Soldotna Elementary Soldotna 13.9 mi 5.9
Connections Soldotna 14.0 mi 6.2
Tustumena Elementary Kasilof 24.4 mi 7.5
Tebughna School Tyonek 28.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99611 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,816

Median Home Value

$279,800

Median Rent

$1,108/mo

Population

16,028

College Educated

24%

Homeownership

73.2%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

36.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fronteras Charter School Wasilla, AK 5.3
Main Elementary Kodiak, AK 5.4
Midnight Sun Elementary School Fairbanks, AK 5.4
Sit Eeti Shaanax - Glacier Valley School Juneau, AK 5.4
Willow Crest Elementary Anchorage, AK 5.4
Tudor Elementary Anchorage, AK 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nikiski North Star Elementary

What grades does Nikiski North Star Elementary serve?

Nikiski North Star Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Nikiski North Star Elementary?

Nikiski North Star Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 252 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nikiski North Star Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Nikiski North Star Elementary is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nikiski North Star Elementary rank in AK?

Nikiski North Star Elementary ranks #299 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Nikiski North Star Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Nikiski North Star Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Nikiski North Star Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nikiski North Star Elementary has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Nikiski North Star Elementary a charter school?

No, Nikiski North Star Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Nikiski North Star Elementary a Title I school?

No, Nikiski North Star Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nikiski North Star Elementary?

47.6% of students at Nikiski North Star Elementary 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
252
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.4%

District

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

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