Best Public Schools in Zip Code 99501

ZIP code 99501 in Anchorage, Alaska is home to 7 public schools within the Anchorage School District, serving a total of 2,415 students—including 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 alternative K-12 school. There is no traditional high school in this ZIP code; AKChoice K-12 Learning is the only option serving high school grades. This small area captures some of Alaska's widest educational extremes: it contains both a top-tier, nationally competitive elementary school and some of the lowest-ranked schools in the state.

Chugach Optional Elementary is the clear standout. It ranks 7th in the state and in the 96th percentile among Alaska elementary schools, achieving proficiency rates roughly double the district average in science (83.3%), math (69.6%), and ELA (59.9%). Inlet View Elementary is consistently strong too, with a 76th-percentile ranking and above-average scores across all subjects. If those schools are full, Government Hill Elementary quietly outperforms the district and state averages despite an average-looking state ranking, making it a solid neighborhood option. For families needing an alternative, AKChoice K-12 Learning posts better math proficiency than the district (49.3% vs. 35.7%) and a graduation rate of 85.7%—an especially meaningful option in a ZIP code without a traditional high school.

The other side of the story is concerning. Central Middle School of Science, the only middle school, ranks 84th out of 90 Alaska middle schools, and only 15.3% of its students are proficient in math. Dr. Etheldra Davis Fairview Elementary ranks 157th out of 166 elementary schools with the lowest proficiency rates in the whole ZIP. High-poverty rates at these schools, along with Denali Montessori Elementary, correlate strongly with lagging performance, while lower-poverty schools like Chugach Optional Elementary and Inlet View Elementary tend to succeed. Notably, the two lowest-spending schools in the ZIP are among the top performers, showing that demographics outweigh per-pupil spending in driving outcomes. Rankings for Central Middle School of Science and Dr. Etheldra Davis Fairview Elementary have remained near the bottom for three straight years.