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#266 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

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#266 of 412

In Fairbanks

#13 of 27

public schools

In district

#15 of 32

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

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Randy Smith Middle School

5.7/10

Middle School in Fairbanks · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Anne Wien Elementary

3.9/10

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

Denali Elementary

4.0/10

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

About Randy Smith Middle School

Randy Smith Middle School is a public middle school in Fairbanks, AK, part of Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. Randy Smith Middle School serves approximately 407 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Randy Smith Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #266 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Randy Smith Middle School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • AK avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

47% of students at Randy Smith Middle School 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 Progress5.5Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency26% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,616
Chronic Absenteeism46.7%

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 52.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.6% (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
90%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
76%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
44%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
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: 5.5/10.

How Randy Smith Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
36th percentile in AK
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

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. Pearl Creek Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Barnette Magnet School (rated 7.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SPRUCETREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 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 3.9
Denali Elementary Fairbanks 1.0 mi 4.0
Ryan Middle School Fairbanks 1.4 mi 4.2
Barnette Magnet School Fairbanks 1.3 mi 7.5
Lathrop High School Fairbanks 1.5 mi 5.4
Golden Heart Academy Fairbanks 1.6 mi
SPRUCETREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Fairbanks 1.0 mi 7.4
Hunter Elementary Fairbanks 1.7 mi 4.0
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 3.9
Chinook Montessori Charter School Fairbanks 2.5 mi 6.5
FAIRBANKS MONTESSORI ASSOCIATION Fairbanks 2.4 mi
Interior Distance Education of Alaska (IDEA) Fairbanks 3.0 mi 6.8
Alternative Learning Systems Fairbanks 1.8 mi 6.3
Fairbanks B.E.S.T. Fairbanks 1.8 mi 6.9
Hutchison High School Fairbanks 1.9 mi 5.1
Arctic Light Elementary Fort Wainwright 2.6 mi 6.0
Pearl Creek Elementary Fairbanks 3.1 mi 7.7
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Kodiak Middle School Kodiak, AK 5.7
Kenai Middle School Kenai, AK 5.8
Tanana Middle School Fairbanks, AK 5.3
North Pole Middle School North Pole, AK 4.9
Wendler Middle School Anchorage, AK 4.9
Schoenbar Middle School Ketchikan, AK 6.6

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 ranks #266 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Randy Smith Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Randy Smith Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Randy Smith Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Randy Smith Middle School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.7%

District

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

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