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Below Average

#380 of 412 schools in AK

Randy Smith Middle School

Middle School · Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

1450 Cowles, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Enrollment

407

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

4.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fairbanks

#24 of 27

public schools

Alaska middle schools

#34 of 36

In district

#28 of 32

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

About Randy Smith Middle School

Randy Smith Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Fairbanks, Alaska, within the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The school serves students in grades 6 through 8, with an enrollment of 407 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers a supportive learning environment.

The MySchoolScout rating for Randy Smith Middle School is 5.6 out of 10, placing it at the 52nd percentile among Alaska schools. Academically, the school's performance in ELA and reading is at 31% proficiency, while math proficiency stands at 20%. The school is situated in a small city where the median household income is $69,534, and the median home value is $241,500.

About 24% of the neighborhood's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 12%. Randy Smith Middle School is embedded in a community that values education and supports its students as they navigate middle school and prepare for high school.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31%
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,816

Randy Smith Middle School — Students at Randy Smith Middle School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
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
41%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
20%
ELA
31%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Randy Smith Middle School Compares

See how Randy Smith Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
8th percentile in AK
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

1450 Cowles, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Randy Smith Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SPRUCETREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pearl Creek Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fairbanks, see our Fairbanks schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Anne Wien Elementary Fairbanks 0.2 mi 6.6
Denali Elementary Fairbanks 1.0 mi 5.0
Ryan Middle School Fairbanks 1.4 mi 4.8
Barnette Magnet School Fairbanks 1.3 mi 6.2
Lathrop High School Fairbanks 1.5 mi 5.2
Golden Heart Academy Fairbanks 1.6 mi
SPRUCETREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Fairbanks 1.0 mi 7.4
Hunter Elementary Fairbanks 1.7 mi 6.5
MONROE JR, SR HIGH SCHOOLS OF FAIRBANKS Fairbanks 1.0 mi 6.1
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Fairbanks 1.0 mi 7.1
Boreal Sun Charter School Fairbanks 2.2 mi 3.8
Chinook Montessori Charter School Fairbanks 2.5 mi 5.8
FAIRBANKS MONTESSORI ASSOCIATION Fairbanks 2.4 mi
Interior Distance Education of Alaska (IDEA) Fairbanks 3.0 mi 6.2
Alternative Learning Systems Fairbanks 1.8 mi 6.4
Fairbanks B.E.S.T. Fairbanks 1.8 mi 5.8
Hutchison High School Fairbanks 1.9 mi 3.5
Arctic Light Elementary Fort Wainwright 2.6 mi 3.5
Pearl Creek Elementary Fairbanks 3.1 mi 6.7
GOLDEN HEART CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fairbanks 2.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,551

Median Home Value

$235,300

Median Rent

$1,233/mo

Population

17,564

College Educated

24.8%

Homeownership

46.1%

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

34.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Randy Smith Middle School has a median household income of $73,551. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,300, with a median rent of $1,233/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Houston Middle School Big Lake, AK 4.7
Ryan Middle School Fairbanks, AK 4.8
Schoenbar Middle School Ketchikan, AK 4.9
Skyview Middle School Soldotna, AK 5.2
Floyd Dryden Middle School Juneau, AK 4.1
Wasilla Middle School Wasilla, AK 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Randy Smith Middle School

What grades does Randy Smith Middle School serve?

Randy Smith Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Randy Smith Middle School?

Randy Smith Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 407 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Randy Smith Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Randy Smith Middle School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Randy Smith Middle School rank in AK?

Randy Smith Middle School is ranked #380 out of 412 schools in AK.

What is Randy Smith Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Randy Smith Middle School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Randy Smith Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Randy Smith Middle School has 31.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Randy Smith Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Randy Smith Middle School a Title I school?

No, Randy Smith Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Randy Smith Middle School?

31.0% of students at Randy Smith Middle 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

City Safety
High (4,186/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
407
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
District Enrollment
12,541
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,616
District Rank
#28 of 32

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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