Klawock City School

Klawock City School is a small, remote public school in Klawock, Alaska, serving approximately 127 students in grades PK–12 as part of the single-school Klawock City School District.

This school stands out for its substantial investment in every student. With a low student-teacher ratio of about 9.4 to 1, Klawock is a staff-intensive environment rather than an independent-study model. The district spends a remarkable $34,935 per student, a figure nearly identical to the nearby Hollis School ($34,932) but roughly four and a half times higher than what PACE Correspondence spends per student. The heavy spending is typical for small Alaskan schools burdened with fixed costs, but it makes the academic results worth examining. Klawock does shine in the early grades: 3rd graders significantly outperformed state averages in both reading (41.67% proficiency vs. 28.73% statewide) and math (50% vs. 33.66%). However, this early advantage fades by 4th and 5th grades, where proficiency drops below state benchmarks.

The most pressing concern for parents is the school’s graduation rate, which fell to an alarming 12.5% in 2024–2025—a dramatic collapse from 81.8% the previous year. While tiny cohorts can cause huge statistical swings, this rate is the lowest compared to Hollis (50%) and PACE (33.3%). Like many remote schools, the student body faces significant economic hardship, with 94.49% qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Overall proficiency rates are generally stable but below state averages across ELA, math, and science for all grades combined. As a result, Klawock presents a paradox: excellent early-elementary teaching and heavy per-pupil funding, contrasted with a struggle to sustain gains through middle school and a volatile, recently concerning path to graduation.