Average
#175 of 412 schools in AK
Top 42% 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
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
200
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fairbanks
#6 of 27
public schools
Alaska elementary schools
#66 of 165
In district
#6 of 32
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Watershed Charter School
Watershed Charter School serves 200 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Fairbanks, Alaska, offering families an alternative educational approach within the public school system. With 9 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.2:1, providing a more intimate learning environment than many traditional schools. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking 55th among Alaska's 413 schools, placing it in the 87th percentile statewide.
Students show solid proficiency rates with 62% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and Reading, while 67% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. This academic strength reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence within the charter school framework. Located on Decathlon Avenue in the 99709 ZIP code, Watershed Charter School sits within an established community where 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $80,467.
The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 6.3% and median home values of $289,500 indicate a stable, education-focused environment. The school operates within Fairbanks' small city setting, providing students with both community connections and access to Alaska's unique educational opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Watershed Charter School is 22.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Watershed Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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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 6 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: 6.3/10.
How Watershed Charter School Compares
See how Watershed Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 62% (2022).
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. Woodriver Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pearl Creek Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 4.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Anne Wien Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 4.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 7.2 |
| University Park Elementary Fairbanks | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Effie Kokrine Charter School Fairbanks | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Raven School Fairbanks | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| West Valley High School Fairbanks | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Hutchison High School Fairbanks | 2.2 mi | 3.5 |
| GOLDEN HEART CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fairbanks | 3.5 mi | — |
| Pearl Creek Elementary Fairbanks | 4.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Interior Distance Education of Alaska (IDEA) Fairbanks | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Golden Heart Academy Fairbanks | 3.1 mi | — |
| FAIRBANKS MONTESSORI ASSOCIATION Fairbanks | 3.2 mi | — |
| Chinook Montessori Charter School Fairbanks | 3.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Denali Elementary Fairbanks | 3.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Randy Smith Middle School Fairbanks | 4.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Anne Wien Elementary Fairbanks | 4.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Ryan Middle School Fairbanks | 4.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Lathrop High School Fairbanks | 4.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Boreal Sun Charter School Fairbanks | 4.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Hunter Elementary Fairbanks | 4.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Barnette Magnet School Fairbanks | 4.1 mi | 6.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Watershed Charter School has a median household income of $82,991. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $296,000, with a median rent of $1,288/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Mt. Eccles Elementary Cordova, AK | 6.6 |
| Airport Heights Elementary Anchorage, AK | 6.5 |
| Eagle Academy Charter School Eagle River, AK | 6.5 |
| Kaleidoscope School of Arts & Science Kenai, AK | 6.5 |
| Aurora Borealis Charter School Kenai, AK | 6.7 |
| Eagle's View Elementary School Unalaska, AK | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #175 out of 412 schools in AK.
What is Watershed Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
Watershed Charter School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Watershed Charter School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watershed Charter School has 70.3% math proficiency and 68.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (4,186/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fairbanks). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (907) 374-9350
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 12,541
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,616
- District Rank
- #6 of 32
Other Schools in This District
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.
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