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Average

#234 of 412 schools in AK

South Anchorage High School

High School · Anchorage School District

13400 Elmore Rd, Anchorage, AK 99516

Enrollment

1,286

Student-Teacher

22.6:1

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#234 of 412

In Anchorage

#39 of 78

public schools

In district

#54 of 93

Anchorage School District

Academic performance

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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South Anchorage High School

6.0/10

High School in Anchorage · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Huffman Elementary

8.6/10

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

Grace Christian School Elementary

6.2/10

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

About South Anchorage High School

South Anchorage High School is a public high school in Anchorage, AK, part of Anchorage School District. South Anchorage High School serves approximately 1,286 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22.6:1 student-teacher ratio. South Anchorage High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #234 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for South Anchorage High School show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • AK avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

South Anchorage High School runs 22.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

48% of students at South Anchorage High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.37 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency33% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%
AP Participation19.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,636
Chronic Absenteeism48.2%

South Anchorage High School — Students at South Anchorage High School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 56.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.0% (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
81%
ELA
93%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
90%
2013
Math
79%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
36%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
50%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
29%
ELA
37%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How South Anchorage High School Compares

See how South Anchorage High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
43th percentile in AK
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.4
Sports
27
12 boys' · 15 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
19.6% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics27sports offered
12 boys'·15 girls'·45 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

13400 Elmore Rd, Anchorage, AK 99516

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Anchorage High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bear Valley Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Huffman Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bowman Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Anchorage, see our Anchorage schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Huffman Elementary Anchorage 0.8 mi 8.6
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ELEMENTARY Anchorage 0.6 mi 6.2
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SECONDARY Anchorage 0.6 mi 4.5
ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON SCHOOL Anchorage 0.9 mi 6.8
Rabbit Creek Elementary Anchorage 0.9 mi 8.5
ANCHORAGE JUNIOR ACADEMY Anchorage 1.9 mi 6.7
Hanshew Middle School Anchorage 2.2 mi 4.6
Goldenview Middle School Anchorage 1.8 mi 7.7
Spring Hill Elementary Anchorage 2.4 mi 5.1
Bowman Elementary Anchorage 1.6 mi 8.6
PACIFIC NORTHERN ACADEMY Anchorage 2.5 mi 7.1
Trailside Elementary Anchorage 2.8 mi 8.2
O'Malley Elementary Anchorage 1.9 mi 8.6
Service High School Anchorage 2.8 mi 5.5
FOCUS Homeschool Anchorage 2.8 mi 5.9
Kasuun Elementary Anchorage 4.0 mi 6.6
Bear Valley Elementary Anchorage 2.3 mi 8.8
Ocean View Elementary Anchorage 2.4 mi 7.2
Northern Lights ABC K-8 School Anchorage 4.6 mi 8.4
Rilke Schule Charter School Anchorage 4.5 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99516 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$160,341

Median Home Value

$576,600

Median Rent

$1,284/mo

Population

21,208

College Educated

55.6%

Homeownership

89.4%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

3.9%

Median Age

40.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Colony High School Palmer, AK 6.0
West High School Anchorage, AK 6.1
West Valley High School Fairbanks, AK 5.9
Chugiak High School Chugiak, AK 5.8
Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School Anchorage, AK 5.6
Service High School Anchorage, AK 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Anchorage High School

What grades does South Anchorage High School serve?

South Anchorage High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend South Anchorage High School?

South Anchorage High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,286 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Anchorage High School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Anchorage High School is 22.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Anchorage High School rank in AK?

South Anchorage High School ranks #234 of 412 schools in AK.

What is South Anchorage High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Anchorage High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 South Anchorage High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Anchorage High School has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is South Anchorage High School a charter school?

No, South Anchorage High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Anchorage High School a Title I school?

No, South Anchorage High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Anchorage High School?

13.8% of students at South Anchorage High 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
6 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,286
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Anchorage Municipality
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.2%
4-Year Graduation
95.0%

District

Anchorage School District
District Enrollment
43,363
Schools in District
94
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,636
District Rank
#54 of 93

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