Chinook Elementary is a public magnet elementary school in Anchorage, Alaska, serving 481 students from pre-kindergarten to 6th grade. The school stands out for its diverse student population, with a significant percentage of minority racial backgrounds, but has consistently underperformed academically compared to the Anchorage School District and the state of Alaska.
Chinook Elementary's proficiency rates in English Language Arts (24.05%) and Mathematics (21.37%) are significantly lower than the district (35.51% and 35.52%) and state (31.5% and 31.11%) averages. The school has also experienced a decline in its statewide ranking, dropping from 92nd out of 246 Alaska elementary schools in 2014-2015 to 144th out of 173 in 2023-2024. This places Chinook in the bottom 20% of elementary schools in the state. Additionally, the school's performance varies greatly across different student subgroups, with Hispanic students ranking 23rd out of 27 Alaska elementary schools, while White students rank 118th out of 133.
Chinook Elementary also stands out for its high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, with 77.55% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in the 2022-2023 school year. This is significantly higher than the nearby schools, such as Taku Elementary, Ocean View Elementary, and Willow Crest Elementary. The school's unique challenges and circumstances suggest the need for a more tailored approach to improve student outcomes and ensure a more equitable educational experience for all.
Students at Chinook Elementary are 23% White, 21% Two or more races, 19% American Indian, 12% Hispanic, 11% Pacific Islander, 9% Asian, 4% African American.
Students who attend Chinook Elementary usually go on to attend:Middle : Mears Middle SchoolHigh : Dimond High School
In the 2022-23 school year, 481 students attended Chinook Elementary.
Anchorage School District
Chinook Elementary ranks in the bottom 16.8% of Alaska elementary schools.