Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#412 of 412 schools in AK

Salcha Elementary

Elementary School · Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

520 Fifth Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Enrollment

73

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

3.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fairbanks

#27 of 27

public schools

Alaska elementary schools

#165 of 165

In district

#32 of 32

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

About Salcha Elementary

Salcha Elementary is a rural elementary school located in Fairbanks, Alaska, within the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Situated at 520 Fifth Avenue, the school serves a small community of students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 73 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1, Salcha Elementary offers a close-knit learning environment supported by four full-time equivalent teachers.

Salcha Elementary's academic performance, as indicated by MySchoolScout's rating of 4.4 out of 10, reflects areas where the school is focusing on student development. The school ranks 26th percentile among Alaska's 413 schools, with 15% of students meeting proficiency standards in both English Language Arts and Math. Despite these numbers, the school is committed to improving educational outcomes and supporting each student's growth.

The surrounding neighborhood is characterized by a median household income of $69,534 and a median home value of $241,500. About 24% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 12.0%. Salcha Elementary is nestled in a close-knit community where families and educators work together to provide a nurturing and supportive learning environment for the students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 73 students, Salcha Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Salcha Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.7Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-9.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-13.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,816

Salcha Elementary — Students at Salcha Elementary score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.0%
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
54.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
15%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How Salcha Elementary Compares

See how Salcha Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.1/10
0th percentile in AK
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
1.7/10
Below average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

520 Fifth Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Salcha Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Two Rivers School (rated 7.6/10, 27.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Anderson Crawford Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Eielson Afb), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Pole Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby North Pole), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fairbanks, see our Fairbanks schools guide .

Nearby Schools

9 within 25.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Anderson Crawford Elementary Eielson Afb 13.4 mi 6.5
Ben Eielson Jr/Sr High School Eielson Afb 13.6 mi 6.2
Two Rivers School Fairbanks 27.3 mi 7.6
North Pole Middle School North Pole 21.2 mi 5.6
North Pole Elementary North Pole 21.6 mi 5.9
Discovery Peak Charter School North Pole 22.3 mi 4.9
North Pole High School North Pole 21.6 mi 4.9
NORTH POLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL North Pole 23.3 mi
Midnight Sun Elementary School Fairbanks 25.7 mi 4.9

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 Salcha Elementary 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
Sidney C. Huntington Elementary Galena, AK 3.5
ANCHOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL Anchorage, AK 4.4
ANCHORAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Anchorage, AK 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Salcha Elementary

What grades does Salcha Elementary serve?

Salcha Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Salcha Elementary?

Salcha Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 73 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Salcha Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Salcha Elementary is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Salcha Elementary rank in AK?

Salcha Elementary is ranked #412 out of 412 schools in AK.

What is Salcha Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Salcha Elementary has a composite rating of 3.1 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 Salcha Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salcha Elementary has 33.2% math proficiency and 33.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Salcha Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Salcha Elementary a Title I school?

No, Salcha Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Salcha Elementary?

35.6% of students at Salcha 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.

10 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
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
73
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
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
#32 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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.