2024 Best Preschools in Alaska

A Comprehensive Guide to Alaska Preschools

Alaska is one of the most naturally beautiful states in the country and is home to a rich culture and history. For parents, choosing a preschool for their child can be a difficult task, but with 406 different preschools in the state, parents are sure to find one that meets their needs. On average, these schools receive a grade of B, which is just slightly lower than the national average but still within a reasonable range. Although there are fewer preschools in Alaska than most states (by about 59%), there are still plenty of options to choose from that provide quality education.

When it comes to class size, the average preschool in Alaska has 229 students which is 38% lower than the national average. This could mean that some schools have smaller classes, which may contribute to better academic performance. The student-to-teacher ratio in Alaska is 13:1 which is 7% lower than the national average. This could also lead to better academic outcomes and individualized instruction for students. Furthermore, 32% of all preschools in the state are listed as above average, giving parents 130 different options to choose from.

Stats about Alaska public preschools

Public schools make up the bulk of preschools available in Alaska with 350 options available to families. Despite having fewer options compared to other states, these institutions still perform well with an overall grade of B across the board. In terms of class size, these public schools tend to be a bit smaller than most, with an enrollment of around 212 students per school (43% lower than the national average). As for student-to-teacher ratios, these schools perform on par with the national average at 13:1.

Traditional public schools make up for the largest portion of Alaska's public school landscape with 319 total options for parents. These schools perform a bit better than other public schools in terms of grades with an overall score of B– on average. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of these traditional public schools have grades higher than the national average giving families 88 different options when it comes to selecting a quality institution. Despite having a smaller student population, traditional public schools are still larger than most (nearly 44% larger) with an average enrollment of 205 students per school. Regardless, parents can rest assured that their children are receiving quality education in this type of institution.

Alaska's Top Traditional Public Preschool: Bayshore Elementary School

For those looking for a top-notch traditional public school experience in Alaska, Bayshore Elementary School stands out among the rest. Located near Anchorage and serving 358 students, this school has an A+ rating and offers an exceptional learning environment for its pupils. With an enrollment nearly 40% lower than most institutions nationwide and a student-to-teacher ratio 7% above the national average, Bayshore provides personalized attention and fosters an intimate learning experience for its students. It's no wonder why this school continues to be one of the best traditional public schools in Alaska and receives high marks from families who send their children there. Another great option if you're set on the traditional route is Aurora Elementary School located in Jber and enrolling about 250 students in total. The school has also earned itself an A+ rating due largely in part to its competitive 13:1 student-to-teacher ratio (which beats out the national average by 7%).

All About Charter Preschools in Alaska

Like many other states across America, charter schools are also popular in Alaska with 22 different options available throughout the state. While this may seem like a small number compared to other states (it ranks 3rd per capita), it's worth noting that index wise, it's actually 251% higher than the national average making it one of only five states with such high index values per capita. Unfortunately though, charter schools fare well academically as they only receive a grade of B+ on average which tops the national mark of a B– Typically though charter schools enroll more students than other types of institutions nationwide and this holds true for Alaska as well with charter schools holding an enrollment 37% higher than most US preschools on average despite generally slightly smaller class sizes (an 11:1 ration versus 12:1).

The Top Charter preschool in Alaska

When it comes to finding exceptional charter preschools in Alaska, Eagle Academy Charter School is certainly at the top of many parent's lists in terms of preschools. It has a strong A grade overall, and manageable student to instruction proportion.

What is the best magnet preschool in Alaska?

The highest rated preschool in Alaska is Rogers Park Elementary School, located in Anchorage. This magnet school offers an A– grade and a relatively small student body of 392 students. The student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1 is 7% lower than the national average, ensuring that each student has the attention they need in their learning process.

The second-best magnet preschool in Alaska is Polaris K-12 School, located in Anchorage as well. This school offers an impressive A– grade and with a slightly larger student body size of 460, it’s still a great option for parents who are looking for a smaller environment while still having access to all the benefits of a more urban environment. With a 19:1 student-to-teacher ratio, exceeding the typical preschool by nearly 40%.

An Overview of Alaska's Private School Sector

In Alaska, private schools make up 33 total facilities across the state. The overall grade of these schools is an impressive A– and with an average enrollment size of 126 students, this falls 66% below the national average. Smaller class sizes can definitely lead to higher quality educational experiences and with such low enrollments across the state’s private schools this could be seen as a major factor in their higher grade quality than other states.

A quick overview of religious preschools in Alaska

In addition to private schools, there are 24 religious institutions spread throughout the state. Of these schools, 73% are Christian, with 18 schools making up this denomination. Despite this notable presence, Alaska has 17% fewer religious schools per capita than other states, earning it a grade of 35th out of all US states. The average grade quality for religious schools in Alaska stands at an impressive A–, however, the size of these facilities falls 59% below the national average when it comes to enrollment numbers with an average of 152 students per school compared to the national average.

What is the best religious preschool in Alaska?

The #1 ranked religious school in Alaska goes to Holy Rosary Academy located in Anchorage. This Catholic school received an outstanding A grade and has a student population of 162 - which is on the smaller side for school sizes in the state. The student to teacher ratio for Holy Rosary Academy stands at 10:1 which is 29% lower than your typical school - ensuring that each child receives adequate attention and instruction during their time at this institution. The 2nd ranked religious school in Alaska is Catholic Schools of Fairbanks located in Fairbanks. The school has an impressive A– rating and 404 students enrolled at any given time. Even though this school size is quite large compared to other top-ranking institutions within the state, it manages to hold its own thanks to its 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio - 36% lower than your typical school size - which should leave parents feeling assured that their children are receiving ample attention from faculty and staff alike.

Alaska's Private Non-Religious preschools: Size and Success

Finally, private non-religious schools account for a modest 2% of all private educational institutions within Alaska’s borders, totaling 9 schools across the state. These schools have yet to receive any grades due to their small presence but one thing that does stand out about these institutions is their size - falling 84% below the national average with just 58 students per school on average.

What is the best private non-religious preschool in Alaska?

The highest rated private nonreligious preschool in the state of Alaska is Anchorage Montessori School located in Anchorage. This private institution has yet to receive any grades due to its small presence but one thing that does stand out about this particular facility is its incredibly large student-to-teacher ratio - with 57:1 (over 300% higher than the national average). Families should be sure to consult the school directly to understand the details about these larger class sizes, as there may key factors to understand as it relates to that figure.

In second place comes Fairbanks Montessori School located in Fairbanks which also has yet to receive any grades due to limited data, but they do have very large class sizes as well (27 students in most cases) which is double the typical preschool. This is likely due to limited access to such schooling, at least in the more remote areas which are quite prevalant in Alaska.