Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Whaley School

Q: Is Whaley School a good school?

Whaley School ranks in the bottom 24.2% of Alaska alternative schools.

Q: How many students attend Whaley School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 298 students attended Whaley School.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Whaley School?

Students at Whaley School are 34% White, 26% American Indian, 17% Two or more races, 8% Asian, 7% Hispanic, 5% African American, 4% Pacific Islander.

Public, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12

47^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 62 Alaska Alternative Schools

Better than 24% of Alaska alternative schools

Summary

Whaley School in Anchorage, Alaska, is an alternative public school within the Anchorage School District, serving roughly 298 students in grades PK–12. It is not a typical neighborhood school: the student-teacher ratio is just 6.3 to 1, and per-student spending is about $40,833 per year—roughly 2.7 times what Bartlett High School spends. That level of investment reflects an intervention-focused model designed for students with significant academic, social-emotional, or behavioral needs.

The most striking concern for parents is the graduation rate. In 2024–2025, only 8.8% of Whaley seniors graduated, compared with 83.2% across the school district. Nearby schools show far stronger results: Bartlett High School posted 80.6%, Polaris K-12 School graduated 94.7%, AKChoice K-12 Learning graduated 85.7%, Frontier Charter School graduated 72.7%, and Family Partnership Correspondence School graduated 81.6%. Even the Alaska State School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing reported a 100% graduation rate that year. Whaley’s best recent year was 28.5% in 2023–2024—still far below every nearby school. Whaley is a school of last resort for students re-engaging after dropping out or facing major barriers, rather than a typical alternative or choice program.

Academically, proficiency rates are well below district averages in English language arts (20.7% vs. 36%) and math (9.4% vs. 35.3%). But science is a relative bright spot: 33.3% of Whaley students were proficient in science in 2025–2026, close to the district’s 39.1%, and 10th-grade science proficiency roughly matched the district average. Parents should also know that reported free/reduced-lunch figures dropped sharply from 78% to about 16% in a single year—almost certainly a data collection change, not a sudden shift in student household incomes. In short, Whaley is a high-cost, high-support environment where students arrive with substantial challenges; science instruction and small-class attention are positives, but families should have realistic expectations about graduation and achievement outcomes.

298

Students ?

6.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$40,833

Per pupil spending ?

17.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2220 Nichols St
Anchorage, AK 99508-3496

(907) 742-2350

District: Anchorage School District

Racial breakdown:

White:

33.9%

American Indian:

25.8%

Two or more races:

16.8%

See top rated Alaska elementary schools

Compare Whaley School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 19th percentile in 2014 → 24th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 5 percentile points since 2014

✓Small classes — about 6 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Alaska average (26% vs 33% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (24th percentile)

!English Language Arts scores 12 pts below the Alaska average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school26%

District avg36%

Alaska avg33%

47^th of 62

Alaska public high schools ?

Bottom 24%▲ up 10 pts since 2017

From bottom 14% (2017) to bottom 24% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alaska High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 6Alternative Schools in the Anchorage School District

11^th of 23Anchorage School District among Alaska districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2015	10.2	216 of 246	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	9.0	191 of 218	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	10.3	198 of 223	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	13.4	193 of 227	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	19.7	183 of 223	17.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	2.3	225 of 229	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	6.1	214 of 226	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	7.5	202 of 219	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	3.9	200 of 212	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	9.3	189 of 218	13.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	6.0	193 of 213	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2018	4.5	95 of 96	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	14.7	120 of 151	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	13.6	112 of 138	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	9.6	126 of 136	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	7.4	122 of 135	9.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	9.9	118 of 133	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	4.8	131 of 136	3.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	5.8	122 of 131	6.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	8.0	120 of 132	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	11.0	112 of 128	12.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	4.7	127 of 132	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	7.4	128 of 138	7.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2026	29.7	47 of 62	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	10.3	73 of 77	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	11.6	70 of 74	5.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	15.1	71 of 83	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	23.9	93 of 135	31.1%	★★☆☆☆
2014	28.6	99 of 139	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	10.3	138 of 148	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	35.8	80 of 136	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2011	29.2	92 of 142	35.2%	★★☆☆☆
2010	11.1	125 of 140	10.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	28.5	102 of 151	32.5%	★★☆☆☆
2008	10.9	139 of 151	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	19.1	114 of 139	18.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	13.3	116 of 135	14.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	14.7	97 of 116	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2019	17.4	50 of 55	9.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2019	11.7	57 of 58	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2019)9th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2019)2nd percentile-3 vs school

By subject vs Alaska (2025-2026) ?

Science33%-4 vs state

English Language Arts21%-12 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Whaley School and help other families decide.

Rate Whaley School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Whaley School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				STAR English Language Arts (2026)								STAR Mathematics (2026)								ASA Science (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2023)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	STAR English Language Arts 3rd Grade	STAR English Language Arts 4th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 5th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 6th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 7th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 8th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 9th Grade	STAR English Language Arts All Grades	STAR Mathematics 3rd Grade	STAR Mathematics 4th Grade	STAR Mathematics 5th Grade	STAR Mathematics 6th Grade	STAR Mathematics 7th Grade	STAR Mathematics 8th Grade	STAR Mathematics 9th Grade	STAR Mathematics All Grades	ASA Science 5th Grade	ASA Science 8th Grade	ASA Science 10th Grade	ASA Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Whaley School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	2220 Nichols St	Anchorage	99508	Anchorage Municipality	Anchorage School District	No	No	No	No	(907) 742-2350	298	47	6.3	78.2%	101 (33.9%)	14 (4.7%)	21 (7.0%)	23 (7.7%)	77 (25.8%)	12 (4.0%)	50 (16.8%)								(n/a)					< 40%	< 20%	23.1	20.7					< 40%	< 25%	< 20%	< 10%		33.3	35.7	33.3	$40,833	$5,598	$35,235
Alaska State School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	5530 E Northern Lights Blvd	Anchorage	99504	Anchorage Municipality	Anchorage School District	No	No	No	No	(907) 742-4236	25	1	22.3	10.0%	14 (56.0%)	2 (8.0%)	1 (4.0%)	2 (8.0%)	5 (20.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (4.0%)								(n/a)								< 40%								< 40%					$122,502	$8,890	$113,611
Frontier Charter School	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	400 W Northern Lights Blvd #9	Anchorage	99503	Anchorage Municipality	Anchorage School District	Yes	No	No	No	(907) 742-1180	689	4	175.7	0.7%	387 (56.2%)	32 (4.6%)	81 (11.8%)	14 (2.0%)	49 (7.1%)	44 (6.4%)	82 (11.9%)								(n/a)	< 25%	23.1	33.3	50.0	25.0	53.9	20.0	31.6	33.3	< 20%	28.6	66.7	38.9	30.8	< 10%	28.3	40.0	63.6	52.6	52.5	$10,604	$358	$10,246
AKChoice K-12 Learning	Public, Alternative	K-12	616 W 10th Ave	Anchorage	99501	Anchorage Municipality	Anchorage School District	No	No	No	No	(907) 742-4164	283	19	14.8	1.7%	146 (51.6%)	9 (3.2%)	37 (13.1%)	5 (1.8%)	21 (7.4%)	23 (8.1%)	42 (14.8%)								(n/a)	< 25%	58.3	37.5	61.5	50.0	47.1	50.0	48.1	37.5	41.7	37.5	72.7	57.1	56.3	33.3	49.3	≥ 60%	60.0	35.3	55.3	$14,634	$525	$14,109
Polaris K-12 School	Public, Magnet, Alternative	K-12	6200 Ashwood St	Anchorage	99507	Anchorage Municipality	Anchorage School District	No	Yes	No	No	(907) 742-8700	483	22	22.1	26.3%	289 (59.8%)	5 (1.0%)	62 (12.8%)	21 (4.3%)	20 (4.1%)	4 (0.8%)	82 (17.0%)								(n/a)	26.3	39.5	51.3	48.9	43.4	47.6	53.9	44.5	28.2	39.5	46.2	51.1	52.8	52.4	30.8	43.7	60.5	54.8	47.4	54.2	$12,651	$699	$11,951
Family Partnership Correspondence School	Public, Alternative	K-12	4400 Business Park Blvd # B22	Anchorage	99503	Anchorage Municipality	Anchorage School District	No	No	No	No	(907) 742-3700	1,008	13	80.1	0.2%	677 (67.2%)	10 (1.0%)	100 (9.9%)	29 (2.9%)	49 (4.9%)	31 (3.1%)	112 (11.1%)								(n/a)	29.6	47.4	38.9	60.5	48.8	53.2	56.4	49.1	41.4	44.1	39.4	32.6	53.9	50.0	31.6	42.0	50.0	51.4	64.5	55.7	$9,640	$317	$9,322
Bartlett High School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1101 Golden Bear Dr	Anchorage	99504	Anchorage Municipality	Anchorage School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 742-1800	1,431	66	21.6	63.9%	247 (17.3%)	129 (9.0%)	186 (13.0%)	250 (17.5%)	167 (11.7%)	203 (14.2%)	249 (17.4%)								(n/a)							28.8	28.8							12.2	12.2			19.7	19.7	$15,215	$1,910	$13,304
FOCUS Homeschool	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	9312 Vanguard Dr	Anchorage	99507	Anchorage Municipality	Chugach School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 522-7400	549	9	62.0	0.5%	438 (79.8%)	4 (0.7%)	21 (3.8%)	5 (0.9%)	42 (7.7%)	4 (0.7%)	35 (6.4%)								(n/a)	< 20%	< 40%	30.0	≥ 75%		57.1	≥ 80%	47.3	< 20%	< 40%	< 20%	< 25%		< 40%	33.3	23.6	< 40%	< 40%		33.3	$14,607	$3,415	$11,193
Distance Learning/Corresp. Center	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	12812 Old Glen Hwy	Eagle River	99577	Anchorage Municipality	Iditarod Area School District	No	No	Yes	No	(907) 694-6100	105	2	52.5	1.9%	82 (78.1%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (4.8%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (11.4%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (5.7%)								(n/a)								< 40%								< 40%					$21,394	$617	$20,778

Frequently Asked Questions about Whaley School

What is the racial makeup of Whaley School?

Students at Whaley School are 34% White, 26% American Indian, 17% Two or more races, 8% Asian, 7% Hispanic, 5% African American, 4% Pacific Islander.

What district is Whaley School in?

Anchorage School District

Is Whaley School a good school?

Whaley School ranks in the bottom 24.2% of Alaska alternative schools.

How many students attend Whaley School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 298 students attended Whaley School.

Rate Whaley School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

AKAlaska Alternative School Rankings

AKAlaska District Rankings

Schools in Anchorage, AK

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Whaley School!

Latest Alaska data All new data »

2025–26 ASA & STAR test scoresSep 3, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesDec 12, 2025

2018–19 through 2023–24 graduation ratesSep 19, 2025

2024–25 ASA & STAR test scoresSep 5, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.