Skip to main content

Average

#160 of 412 schools in AK

Top 39% in state

Valdez High School

High School · Valdez City School District

PO Box 398, Valdez, AK 99686

Enrollment

166

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Valdez

#2 of 3

public schools

Alaska high schools

#23 of 68

In district

#2 of 3

Valdez City School District

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Valdez High School

Valdez High School serves 166 students in grades 9-12 in the remote coastal community of Valdez, Alaska. With a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1 and 13 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention in an intimate learning environment. Academically, Valdez High School performs well above average, earning a 7.6 out of 10 rating and ranking 47th out of 413 schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile.

The school demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, with 44% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 34% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. The school serves a relatively affluent community where the median household income reaches $89,231 and only 4.4% of families live below the poverty line.

About 35% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community that values education. Home values average $252,300 in this ZIP code of nearly 4,000 residents. Valdez High School operates in Alaska's stunning Chugach Census Area, where students experience education surrounded by dramatic mountain and coastal landscapes in one of the state's most remote yet economically stable communities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 166 students, Valdez High School 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, Valdez High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,178

Valdez High School — Students at Valdez High School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.8%
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
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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 Valdez High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
61th percentile in AK
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

PO Box 398, Valdez, AK 99686

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valdez High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. George H. Gilson Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hermon Hutchens Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Valdez, see our Valdez schools guide .

Nearby Schools

3 within 21.6 mi
School Distance Rating
George H. Gilson Middle School Valdez 0.1 mi 7.2
Hermon Hutchens Elementary Valdez 0.7 mi 6.7
Tatitlek Community School Tatitlek 21.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99686 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,212

Median Home Value

$310,900

Median Rent

$1,463/mo

Population

3,935

College Educated

30.8%

Homeownership

63.2%

Avg Commute

11.6 min

Poverty Rate

5.2%

Median Age

39.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Valdez High School has a median household income of $97,212. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $310,900, with a median rent of $1,463/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 12 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Delta Junction Senior High School Delta Junction, AK 6.9
Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer, AK 6.5
Cordova Jr/Sr High School Cordova, AK 7.0
LUMEN CHRISTI HIGH SCHOOL Anchorage, AK 7.0
Metlakatla High School Metlakatla, AK 6.4
Petersburg High School Petersburg, AK 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valdez High School

What grades does Valdez High School serve?

Valdez High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Valdez High School?

Valdez High School has an enrollment of approximately 166 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valdez High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Valdez High School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valdez High School rank in AK?

Valdez High School is ranked #160 out of 412 schools in AK.

What is Valdez High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Valdez High School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Valdez High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valdez High School has 39.5% math proficiency and 52.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Valdez High School a charter school?

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

Is Valdez High School a Title I school?

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

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

31.3% of students at Valdez 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.

4 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (466/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
166
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Chugach Census Area
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Valdez City School District
District Enrollment
573
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,093
District Rank
#2 of 3

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.