Summary:
The Sitka School District includes 6 schools serving approximately 1,080 students in grades PK-12 across Sitka, Alaska, and ranks #1 out of 23 Alaska districts with a 96th percentile rating and 5 stars.
The district's strong ranking reflects consistently high performance across all grade levels rather than a single dominant school. Sitka High School is the flagship secondary option, graduating 93.5% of students, well above the district rate of 87.7%, while ranking 10th of 62 Alaska high schools. Blatchley Middle School posts the most balanced academic results, with ELA, math, and science proficiency all near or above 50%, far exceeding Alaska state averages. Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary is the district's science leader, achieving 64.91% science proficiency in the latest testing cycle and ranking in the 72nd percentile among Alaska elementary schools. Xoots Elementary School serves PK-1 students and offers the lowest student-teacher ratio at 9.0, though it lacks test data due to its grade span.
The district's most significant challenge is the graduation gap between traditional and alternative secondary schools. Pacific High School has a 60% graduation rate and the highest economic disadvantage rate in the district at 60%, while Sitka REACH, the alternative K-12 program, graduates only 33.3% of students despite posting above-state ELA and math test scores. These outcomes suggest students in alternative schools may test proficient yet still face barriers to on-time graduation. Overall, the district outperforms Alaska averages substantially, with proficiency around 49% in ELA and 48% in math versus roughly 33% and 32% statewide. For parents, this district offers strong academics at every level, with areas worth watching including the 5th grade reading dip, the 7th grade performance decline, and the need for targeted support for Pacific High and Sitka REACH students.
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