Best Public Schools in Juneau, AK

The Juneau Borough School District serves the city of Juneau, Alaska — the state's capital in the Southeast panhandle — through 13 public schools enrolling roughly 4,085 students in pre-K through 12th grade across traditional, charter, and alternative programs. Ranks and test scores place Juneau in the middle of Alaska districts, but the overall 2-star rating hides a clear pattern: the district's academic strengths are concentrated at the elementary level.

Families seeking strong academics should first look at Sayeik: Gastineau Community School, the district's only 4-star school. Sayeik jumped from the 33rd to the 69th percentile in two years, and it now leads all Juneau schools in ELA (51.81% proficient), math (44.24%), and science (58.33%) — while serving a student body where about 30% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Auke Bay Elementary is the most reliable neighborhood school, holding 3 stars for three straight cycles with strong math scores in grades 4 through 6. Montessori Borealis Public Alternative School, despite a modest 2-star rating, is a science powerhouse at 65.79% proficiency — nearly double the district average. Sit Eeti Shaanax - Glacier Valley School and Juneau Community Charter School also earn 3 stars and beat state averages in most subjects.

The bigger challenges sit at the secondary level. Thunder Mountain Middle School earned 1 star with ELA proficiency below the state average, and while Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale posts an impressive 96% graduation rate, only about 1 in 6 entering 9th graders reach proficiency in math. Higher spending does not guarantee results: lower-cost schools like Auke Bay outperform higher-spending 1- and 2-star schools such as Kax_dig_oowu Heen Elementary School, Mendenhall River Community School, and Harborview Elementary. Alternative programs like Yaakoosge Daakahidi Alternative High School take on higher-need students with smaller classes and lower graduation rates. Bottom line: Juneau has real pockets of elementary excellence, but families should watch how well those gains carry into middle and high school.