Average
#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
Enrollment
209
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
6.1
Grades
3rd – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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West Homer Elementary — Students at West Homer Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.3%
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: 3.6/10.
How West Homer Elementary Compares
See how West Homer Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 43% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (907) 226-1200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 8,499
- Schools in District
- 42
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,862
- District Rank
- #17 of 35
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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