Excellent
#16 of 412 schools in AK
Top 4% in state
Watershed Charter School
Elementary School · Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
4975 Decathlon Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99709
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alaska schools
#16 of 412
In Fairbanks
#1 of 27
public schools
In district
#1 of 32
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Watershed Charter School
Elementary School in Fairbanks · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Woodriver Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
University Park Elementary
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Watershed Charter School
Watershed Charter School is a public elementary school in Fairbanks, AK, part of Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. Watershed Charter School serves approximately 200 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 22.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Watershed Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #16 of 412 schools in AK.
Structured state assessment records for Watershed Charter School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.7 · Excellent
- District avg 5.9
- AK avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Watershed Charter School runs 22.2:1 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.
Watershed Charter School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Watershed Charter School — Students at Watershed Charter School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
9.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 test records from AK state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.5/10.
How Watershed Charter School Compares
See how Watershed Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
4975 Decathlon Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99709
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Watershed Charter School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pearl Creek Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Barnette Magnet School (rated 7.5/10, 4.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Chinook Montessori Charter School (rated 6.5/10, 3.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fairbanks, see our Fairbanks schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Woodriver Elementary Fairbanks | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| University Park Elementary Fairbanks | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Effie Kokrine Charter School Fairbanks | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Raven School Fairbanks | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| West Valley High School Fairbanks | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Hutchison High School Fairbanks | 2.2 mi | 5.1 |
| GOLDEN HEART CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fairbanks | 3.5 mi | — |
| Pearl Creek Elementary Fairbanks | 4.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Interior Distance Education of Alaska (IDEA) Fairbanks | 3.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Golden Heart Academy Fairbanks | 3.1 mi | — |
| FAIRBANKS MONTESSORI ASSOCIATION Fairbanks | 3.2 mi | — |
| Chinook Montessori Charter School Fairbanks | 3.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Denali Elementary Fairbanks | 3.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Randy Smith Middle School Fairbanks | 4.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Anne Wien Elementary Fairbanks | 4.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Ryan Middle School Fairbanks | 4.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Lathrop High School Fairbanks | 4.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Boreal Sun Charter School Fairbanks | 4.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Hunter Elementary Fairbanks | 4.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Barnette Magnet School Fairbanks | 4.1 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99709 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,991
Median Home Value
$296,000
Median Rent
$1,288/mo
Population
29,734
College Educated
43.6%
Homeownership
64.5%
Avg Commute
19.8 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
36.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Girdwood School Girdwood, AK | 8.7 |
| Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary Sitka, AK | 8.8 |
| Peterson Elementary Kodiak, AK | 8.5 |
| Soldotna Montessori Charter School Soldotna, AK | 8.5 |
| Birchwood ABC Elementary Eagle River, AK | 8.9 |
| Rae C. Stedman Elementary Petersburg, AK | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Watershed Charter School
What grades does Watershed Charter School serve?
Watershed Charter School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Watershed Charter School?
Watershed Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 200 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Watershed Charter School?
The student-teacher ratio at Watershed Charter School is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Watershed Charter School rank in AK?
Watershed Charter School ranks #16 of 412 schools in AK.
What is Watershed Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
Watershed Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 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 Watershed Charter School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Watershed Charter School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Watershed Charter School a charter school?
Yes, Watershed Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Watershed Charter School a Title I school?
No, Watershed Charter School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watershed Charter School?
9.5% of students at Watershed Charter 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 200
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 9.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Fairbanks North Star Borough
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.5%
- Phone
- (907) 374-9350
Resources & Links
District
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 12,541
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,616
- District Rank
- #1 of 32
Other Schools in This District
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