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#234 of 412 schools in AK

West Homer Elementary

Elementary School · Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

995 Soundview Ave Ste 1, Homer, AK 99603

Enrollment

209

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

6.1

Grades

3rd – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Homer

#4 of 8

public schools

Alaska elementary schools

#86 of 165

In district

#17 of 35

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About West Homer Elementary

West Homer Elementary serves 209 students in grades 3-6 in the scenic coastal community of Homer, Alaska. This regular public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 14th out of 413 schools statewide and placing in the 97th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. The school maintains a favorable learning environment with 19 full-time equivalent teachers providing an 11.0:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention.

Academically, West Homer Elementary demonstrates solid performance with 43% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 37% reach proficiency in mathematics across the grade levels served. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income is $73,007 and 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With median home values at $333,800 and a poverty rate of 13.2%, the surrounding ZIP code of 99603 reflects a middle-class area that values education.

The community of over 11,000 residents supports this well-regarded elementary school. West Homer Elementary operates in Alaska's remote rural setting on the Kenai Peninsula, where students benefit from both academic excellence and the unique character of life in one of America's most distinctive coastal communities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, West Homer Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.91 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,242

West Homer Elementary — Students at West Homer Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.3%
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
56%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
43%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How West Homer Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
43th percentile in AK
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

995 Soundview Ave Ste 1, Homer, AK 99603

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Homer Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fireweed Academy (rated 8.4/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Paul Banks Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McNeil Canyon Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 12.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Homer, see our Homer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

15 within 20.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Fireweed Academy Homer 0.0 mi 8.4
Homer Middle School Homer 0.4 mi 5.9
Homer High School Homer 1.5 mi 5.1
Homer Flex School Homer 1.8 mi 8.6
Paul Banks Elementary Homer 2.3 mi 7.2
Nikolaevsk School Nikolaevsk 11.7 mi
Susan B English School Seldovia 14.8 mi 6.6
Chapman School Anchor Point 13.1 mi 4.9
McNeil Canyon Elementary Homer 12.9 mi 6.1
Port Graham School Port Graham 22.2 mi 7.2
Ninilchik School Ninilchik 27.9 mi 6.6
Nanwalek School Nanwalek 23.5 mi 7.5
Voznesenka School Voznesenka 19.4 mi 6.5
Razdolna School Homer 20.5 mi 5.6
Kachemak Selo School Kachemake 20.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99603 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,368

Median Home Value

$345,600

Median Rent

$1,236/mo

Population

11,557

College Educated

39.2%

Homeownership

77.2%

Avg Commute

15.4 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

39.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Homer Elementary has a median household income of $76,368. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $345,600, with a median rent of $1,236/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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
McNeil Canyon Elementary Homer, AK 6.1
Rae C. Stedman Elementary Petersburg, AK 6.1
Alaska Native Cultural Charter School Anchorage, AK 5.9
Mountain View Elementary Anchorage, AK 5.9
Northwood ABC Anchorage, AK 6.3
Tustumena Elementary Kasilof, AK 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Homer Elementary

What grades does West Homer Elementary serve?

West Homer Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 6th.

How many students attend West Homer Elementary?

West Homer Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 209 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Homer Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at West Homer Elementary is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Homer Elementary rank in AK?

West Homer Elementary is ranked #234 out of 412 schools in AK.

What is West Homer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

West Homer Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 West Homer Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Homer Elementary has 45.0% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Homer Elementary a charter school?

No, West Homer Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Homer Elementary a Title I school?

No, West Homer Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Homer Elementary?

37.3% of students at West Homer 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,481/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 6th
Enrollment
209
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
District Enrollment
8,499
Schools in District
42
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,862
District Rank
#17 of 35

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

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