Valdez City School District

The Valdez City School District is a small, high-performing public school system in Valdez, Alaska, serving roughly 605 students across three schools: Hermon Hutchens Elementary (PK–5), George H. Gilson Middle School (6–8), and Valdez High School (9–12). The district ranks #3 out of 23 Alaska districts, placing in the 87th percentile with a 5-star rating, and families benefit from favorable class sizes (student-teacher ratios from roughly 12:1 to 16:1) and high per-student spending between about $19,600 and $21,900 annually.

Comparing the three schools, Hermon Hutchens Elementary is the district's academic leader, earning 4 stars (77th percentile) with proficiency rates well above state averages in science (62%), ELA (48%), and math (53%). George H. Gilson Middle School has improved from 2 stars to 3 stars (62nd percentile) and posts strong math and science scores, but its ELA proficiency fades as students advance, dropping from nearly 63% in 6th grade to just 27.5% in 8th grade. Valdez High School also holds 3 stars (66th percentile) and shines with 61% science proficiency and a strong 89.7% graduation rate, yet its 9th-grade ELA (20.7%) and math (28.1%) proficiency sit below state averages.

Science is a clear district-wide strength, as all three schools score dramatically above the Alaska state average of 37.8%. The most concerning pattern, however, is the steady decline in reading and math as students get older: elementary students arrive strong, middle schoolers show early promise that fades by 8th grade, and high school freshmen lag well behind state averages in core skills despite high graduation rates. Because enrollments are small, rankings can swing noticeably from year to year—Valdez High School has moved from 2 stars to 4 stars and back to 3 stars in three years—so parents should look at trends rather than any single year. Overall, this district offers excellent elementary foundations and standout science instruction, but families should seek out extra reading and math support as children transition into middle school and high school.