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Needs Improvement

#404 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

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#404 of 412

In Fairbanks

#27 of 27

public schools

In district

#32 of 32

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

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Salcha Elementary

3.8/10

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

Anderson Crawford Elementary

7.8/10

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

Ben Eielson Jr/sr High School

7.2/10

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

About Salcha Elementary

Salcha Elementary is a public elementary school in Fairbanks, AK, part of Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. Salcha Elementary serves approximately 73 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Salcha Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #404 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Salcha Elementary show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.9
  • AK avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 73 students, Salcha Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Salcha 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.

45% of students at Salcha 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 Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-5.32 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-13.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,616
Chronic Absenteeism45.2%

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 61.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.4% (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
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2011
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2012
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2013
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2014
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2016
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2017
Math
64.5%
ELA
54.5%
2018
Math
54.5%
ELA
34.5%
2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
34.5%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
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: 3.2/10.

How Salcha Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
2th percentile in AK
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
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
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
45.2%

Location

520 Fifth Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Salcha Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Anderson Crawford Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Eielson Afb), which scores notably higher. Another option is Discovery Peak Charter School (rated 7.4/10, 22.3 miles away, in nearby North Pole), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Pole Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 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 7.8
Ben Eielson Jr/Sr High School Eielson Afb 13.6 mi 7.2
Two Rivers School Fairbanks 27.3 mi 4.7
North Pole Middle School North Pole 21.2 mi 4.9
North Pole Elementary North Pole 21.6 mi 5.7
Discovery Peak Charter School North Pole 22.3 mi 7.4
North Pole High School North Pole 21.6 mi 4.5
NORTH POLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL North Pole 23.3 mi
Midnight Sun Elementary School Fairbanks 25.7 mi 5.4

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
Naknek Elementary Naknek, AK 3.7
Sidney C. Huntington Elementary Galena, AK 3.6
ANCHOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL Anchorage, AK 4.5
ANCHORAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Anchorage, AK 4.5
Two Rivers School Fairbanks, AK 4.7

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 ranks #404 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Salcha Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Salcha Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Salcha Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Salcha Elementary has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
9 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
45.2%

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

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