Hunter Elementary is a public elementary school in Fairbanks, Alaska, serving 363 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, which is ranked 13 out of 24 districts in the state.
Hunter Elementary has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, with a racial makeup of 24.79% White, 5.79% African American, 16.53% Hispanic, 3.31% Asian, 22.87% Native American, 2.48% Pacific Islander, and 24.24% two or more races. However, the school consistently ranks in the bottom quarter of Alaska elementary schools, with a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. Its academic performance, as measured by proficiency rates in standardized tests, is significantly lower than the district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. Additionally, 70.25% of Hunter Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, much higher than the surrounding schools.
Comparing Hunter Elementary to nearby schools, it is clear that the school is underperforming academically. For instance, in the 2023-2024 school year, the percentage of students proficient in English Language Arts at Hunter Elementary was 14.38%, compared to 25.7% at University Park Elementary, 60.15% at Watershed Charter School, and 46.69% at Barnette Magnet School. Despite the school's challenges, Hunter Elementary spends a relatively high amount per student, suggesting that the issue may not be solely a lack of funding, but rather the effective allocation and utilization of resources to support student learning.
Students who attend Hunter Elementary usually go on to attend:Middle : Ryan Middle SchoolHigh : Lathrop High School
In the 2023-24 school year, 378 students attended Hunter Elementary.
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Students at Hunter Elementary are 25% American Indian, 25% Two or more races, 24% White, 13% Hispanic, 6% African American, 4% Pacific Islander, 3% Asian.
Hunter Elementary ranks in the bottom 5.8% of Alaska elementary schools.