Best Fairbanks Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 28 public schools serving 20,859 students in Fairbanks, AK (there are 11 private schools, serving 1,046 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Fairbanks, AK are educated in public schools (compared to the AK state average of 96%).
The top-ranked public schools in Fairbanks, AK are Watershed Charter School, Golden Heart Academy and Interior Distance Education Of Alaska (Idea). Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Fairbanks, AK public schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Alaska public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Fairbanks have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Alaska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Alaska public school average of 53% (majority American Indian).

Best Public Schools in Fairbanks, AK (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Watershed Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4975 Decathlon Ave
Fairbanks, AK 99709
(907) 374-9350
Gr: K-8 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #22.
Golden Heart Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1502 Wilbur St
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 456-1536
Gr: 5-12 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #33.
Interior Distance Education Of Alaska (Idea)
(Math: 40% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2157 Van Horn Rd
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 374-2200
Gr: PK-12 | 7,876 students Student-teacher ratio: 119:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #44.
Pearl Creek Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
700 Auburn Dr
Fairbanks, AK 99709
(907) 479-4234
Gr: PK-5 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #55.
Chinook Montessori Charter School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3002 International St
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 452-5020
Gr: K-8 | 158 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #66.
Barnette Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1000 Barnette St
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 456-6072
Gr: PK-8 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #77.
Two Rivers School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
400 Two Rivers Rd
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 488-6616
Gr: PK-8 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #88.
Weller Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
635 Elementary Dr
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 457-1629
Gr: PK-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #99.
Ladd Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
601 F St
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 451-1700
Gr: PK-8 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Raven School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4762 Old Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99709
(907) 357-9573
Gr: PK-12 | 3,687 students Student-teacher ratio: 123:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
West Valley High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3800 Geist Rd
Fairbanks, AK 99709
(907) 479-4221
Gr: 9-12 | 782 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1212.
Woodriver Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5000 Palo Verde Dr
Fairbanks, AK 99709
(907) 479-4211
Gr: PK-5 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1313.
Randy Smith Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1401 Bainbridge Blvd
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 458-7600
Gr: 6-8 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1414.
Midnight Sun Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2301 Bradway Rd
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 488-0134
Gr: PK-5 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1515.
Boreal Sun Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2404 S Barnette St
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 456-5444
Gr: K-8 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1616.
University Park Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
554 Loftus Rd
Fairbanks, AK 99709
(907) 479-6963
Gr: PK-5 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1717.
Tanana Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
600 Trainor Gate Rd
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 452-8145
Gr: 6-8 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1818.
Lathrop High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
901 Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 456-7794
Gr: 9-12 | 788 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1919.
Hutchison High School
Vocational School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3750 Geist Rd
Fairbanks, AK 99709
(907) 479-2261
Gr: 9-12 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2020.
Ryan Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1450 Cowles
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 452-4751
Gr: 6-8 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #2121.
Denali Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1042 Lathrop St
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 452-2456
Gr: PK-5 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Anne Wien Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1501 Hampstead Ave
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 451-7500
Gr: PK-5 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Ticasuk Brown Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
785 Lakloey Dr
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 488-3200
Gr: PK-5 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2424.
Alternative Learning Systems
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
397 Hamilton Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 452-2000
Gr: PK-12 | 184 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2525.
Hunter Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1630 Gillam Way
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 456-5775
Gr: PK-5 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2626.
Salcha Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
8530 Richardson Hwy
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 488-3267
Gr: PK-5 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2727.
Effie Kokrine Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
601 Loftus Rd
Fairbanks, AK 99709
(907) 474-0958
Gr: 7-12 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: n/an/a
North Star College
1790 Tanana Loop Bunnell Bld.
Fairbanks, AK 99775
(907) 452-2000
Gr: 11-12 | 197 students Minority enrollment: 31%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Fairbanks, AK?
The top-ranked public schools in Fairbanks, AK include Watershed Charter School, Golden Heart Academy and Interior Distance Education Of Alaska (Idea).
How many public schools are located in Fairbanks?
29 public schools are located in Fairbanks.
What percentage of students in Fairbanks go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Fairbanks are educated in public schools (compared to the AK state average of 96%).
What is the racial composition of students in Fairbanks?
Fairbanks public schools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Alaska public schools average of 53% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Fairbanks are often viewed compared to one another?

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