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Very Good

#38 of 412 schools in AK

Top 9% in state

Point Higgins School

Elementary School · Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District

333 Schoenbar Rd, Ketchikan, AK 99901

Enrollment

234

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ketchikan

#2 of 9

public schools

Alaska elementary schools

#17 of 165

In district

#2 of 9

Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District

Academic performance

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Point Higgins School

Point Higgins School serves 234 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Ketchikan, Alaska, earning recognition as one of the state's top elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking 8th among Alaska's 413 schools, this regular public school demonstrates strong academic performance that places it in the 98th percentile statewide. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention.

Academic results show 42% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 47% reach proficiency in Mathematics across all grade levels tested. Point Higgins School serves families in the 99901 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $82,763 and the median home value reaches $361,000. The community shows solid educational values, with 28% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.7% among its 13,913 residents.

Located on Schoenbar Road in this remote Alaskan town, Point Higgins School provides quality elementary education in the unique setting of Ketchikan, where students experience both academic excellence and the distinctive character of Southeast Alaska's island communities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,355

Point Higgins School — Students at Point Higgins School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
42%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Point Higgins School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
91th percentile in AK
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

333 Schoenbar Rd, Ketchikan, AK 99901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Point Higgins School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Houghtaling Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 9.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Fawn Mountain Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 14.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Tongass School of Arts and Sciences Charter School (rated 7.0/10, 11.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ketchikan, see our Ketchikan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

11 within 25.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Houghtaling Elementary Ketchikan 9.6 mi 8.3
Revilla Jr/Sr High School Ketchikan 9.6 mi 5.9
Ketchikan High School Ketchikan 9.8 mi 4.2
Fast Track Ketchikan 9.8 mi 4.7
Ketchikan Charter School Ketchikan 11.0 mi 5.2
Tongass School of Arts and Sciences Charter School Ketchikan 11.0 mi 7.0
Schoenbar Middle School Ketchikan 11.3 mi 4.9
Fawn Mountain Elementary Ketchikan 14.7 mi 7.5
Charles R. Leask Sr. Middle School Metlakatla 25.5 mi 5.1
Richard Johnson Elementary Metlakatla 25.5 mi 4.7
Metlakatla High School Metlakatla 25.6 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,155

Median Home Value

$379,000

Median Rent

$1,388/mo

Population

13,875

College Educated

27%

Homeownership

67.3%

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

40.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Point Higgins School has a median household income of $89,155. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $379,000, with a median rent of $1,388/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Birchwood ABC Elementary Eagle River, AK 7.7
Fire Lake Elementary Eagle River, AK 7.7
Huffman Elementary Anchorage, AK 7.8
Soldotna Montessori Charter School Soldotna, AK 7.8
Baranof Elementary Sitka, AK 7.5
Fawn Mountain Elementary Ketchikan, AK 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Point Higgins School

What grades does Point Higgins School serve?

Point Higgins School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Point Higgins School?

Point Higgins School has an enrollment of approximately 234 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Point Higgins School?

The student-teacher ratio at Point Higgins School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Point Higgins School rank in AK?

Point Higgins School is ranked #38 out of 412 schools in AK.

What is Point Higgins School's MySchoolScout rating?

Point Higgins School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Point Higgins School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Point Higgins School has 52.0% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Point Higgins School a charter school?

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

Is Point Higgins School a Title I school?

No, Point Higgins School is not currently a Title I school.

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

25.2% of students at Point Higgins 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
13 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,398/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ketchikan). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
234
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Ketchikan Gateway Borough
Data Year
2023–2024

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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