Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

Summary:

Fairbanks B.E.S.T. is a sizable alternative public school serving grades PK-12 in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District in Fairbanks, Alaska, with a diverse student population of 801 students.

Fairbanks B.E.S.T. significantly outperforms the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and the state of Alaska in academic assessments across multiple subjects and grade levels, with 64.29% proficiency in science compared to 42.63% for the district and 36.94% for the state, and 47.46% proficiency in English Language Arts compared to 35% for the district and 31.5% for the state. Additionally, the school has an extremely low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at only 0.37% in 2022-2023, indicating it serves a relatively affluent student population. However, the school has a very high student-teacher ratio, ranging from 176.1 in 2020-2021 to 801 in 2022-2023, suggesting a unique instructional model or approach.

When compared to the nearby Interior Distance Education of Alaska (IDEA), Raven School, and Alternative Learning Systems, Fairbanks B.E.S.T. outperforms these schools academically, particularly in science and English Language Arts, and has a significantly higher percentage of White students and a lower percentage of minority and economically disadvantaged students, suggesting it serves a more affluent and less diverse student population.


Detail:

Public, Alternative PK, KG-12

 397 Hamilton Avenue
       Fairbanks, AK  99701-4756


(907) 452-2000

District: Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
60th of 173 Alaska Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,068 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  801.0 Help
Number of students:  801

Racial breakdown:

White:
64.3%
Two or more races:
15.4%
Hispanic:
8.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  0.4% Help


 See top rated Alaska elementary schools

 Compare Fairbanks B.E.S.T. to nearby alternative schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Fairbanks B.E.S.T. ranks better than 65.3% of elementary schools in Alaska. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 64.15. (See more...)
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Compare Details Fairbanks B.E.S.T. ranks better than 63.7% of middle schools in Alaska. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 61.28. (See more...)
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Compare Details Fairbanks B.E.S.T. is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 97.84. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (64.3%), two or more races (15.4%), Hispanic (8.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 0.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Fairbanks B.E.S.T. is 801. (See more...)
Help
Compare Fairbanks B.E.S.T. employs 1 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Fairbanks B.E.S.T. is $8,068.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Fairbanks B.E.S.T.:

SchoolDigger ranks Fairbanks B.E.S.T. 60th of 173 Alaska public elementary schools. (See Fairbanks B.E.S.T. in the ranking list.)
SchoolDigger ranks Fairbanks B.E.S.T. 33rd of 91 Alaska public middle schools. (See Fairbanks B.E.S.T. in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
White students:


Fairbanks North Star Borough School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Fairbanks North Star Borough School District 13th of 24 Alaska school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2011 22.89 176th 223 21.1%
2012 30.56 165th 227 27.3%
2014 35.52 155th 218 28.9%
2015 42.04 139th 246 43.5%
2017 75.69 33rd 180 81.7%
2018 56.11 78th 186 58.1%
2019 40.65 114th 185 38.4%
2021 73.04 42nd 173 75.7%
2023 80.13 23rd 176 86.9%
2024 64.15 60th 173 65.3%
See the entire list of Alaska Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 68.98 40th 159 74.8%
2021 75.96 24th 142 83.1%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 24.95 125th 147 15.0%
2021 53.92 56th 127 55.9%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

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Rank History for all middle school students at Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 50.36 67th 138 51.4%
2006 52.81 66th 132 50.0%
2007 45.36 70th 128 45.3%
2009 32.07 81st 131 38.2%
2010 17.43 102nd 136 25.0%
2011 42.02 74th 133 44.4%
2012 37.19 78th 135 42.2%
2013 73.96 36th 136 73.5%
2014 39.64 73rd 138 47.1%
2015 73.32 31st 151 79.5%
2017 76.23 13th 88 85.2%
2018 56.71 42nd 96 56.3%
2019 35.46 66th 99 33.3%
2021 87.62 8th 84 90.5%
2022 95.93 2nd 95 97.9%
2023 80.77 11th 92 88.0%
2024 61.28 33rd 91 63.7%
See the entire list of Alaska Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 70.91 15th 69 78.3%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 96.82 1st 62 98.4%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 81.61 5th 58 91.4%
2024 35.08 51st 74 31.1%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

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Rank History for all high school students at Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 48.95 65th 116 44.0%
2006 50.17 67th 135 50.4%
2007 47.43 69th 139 50.4%
2008 43.20 77th 151 49.0%
2009 69.12 47th 151 68.9%
2010 56.28 57th 140 59.3%
2011 67.46 41st 142 71.1%
2012 67.25 48th 136 64.7%
2013 72.61 35th 148 76.4%
2014 80.98 20th 139 85.6%
2015 60.18 53rd 135 60.7%
2017 45.33 49th 83 41.0%
2018 56.93 34th 74 54.1%
2019 66.00 27th 77 64.9%
2023 97.84 1st 62 98.4%
See the entire list of Alaska Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Female students at Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 94.12 2nd 54 96.3%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 97.43 2nd 47 95.7%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 40.71 41st 56 26.8%
2023 71.47 11th 47 76.6%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Fairbanks B.E.S.T. Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 








Data source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

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Enrollment information for Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 195 10 5 3 20 n/a n/a 0 233
1990 190 5 5 4 15 n/a n/a 0 219
1991 314 8 8 5 36 n/a n/a 0 371
1992 384 17 5 4 71 n/a n/a 0 481
1993 412 25 5 16 60 n/a n/a 0 518
1994 457 28 6 17 75 n/a n/a 0 583
1995 418 24 15 23 89 n/a n/a 0 569
1996 418 24 15 23 89 n/a n/a 0 569
1997 431 30 13 26 74 n/a n/a 0 574
1998 326 17 9 20 55 n/a n/a 0 427
1999 329 25 13 15 72 n/a n/a 0 454
2000 248 19 7 10 60 n/a n/a 0 344
2001 201 11 10 9 41 n/a n/a 0 272
2002 214 18 8 4 58 n/a n/a 0 302
2003 214 18 8 4 58 n/a n/a 0 302
2004 164 18 3 10 44 n/a n/a 0 239
2005 177 15 6 13 44 n/a n/a 0 255
2006 175 20 7 7 40 n/a n/a 0 249
2007 266 23 7 22 55 n/a n/a 0 373
2008 191 13 5 12 51 n/a n/a 0 272
2009 182 14 5 17 30 3 26 0 277
2010 154 15 8 5 15 2 0 0 199
2011 143 14 3 13 13 0 24 0 210
2012 198 6 4 13 18 1 25 0 265
2013 208 4 3 8 22 0 21 0 266
2014 213 4 4 13 16 1 17 0 268
2015 174 5 7 13 16 1 17 0 233
2016 208 8 12 9 12 0 25 0 274
2017 209 4 6 22 18 0 27 0 286
2018 218 1 5 20 17 0 31 0 292
2019 216 2 8 22 7 1 31 0 287
2020 205 5 15 17 7 0 25 0 274
2021 731 16 20 70 28 0 104 0 969
2022 522 11 22 56 41 3 88 0 743
2023 515 12 33 70 45 3 123 0 801

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 233 4.0 58.2 0
1990 219 5.0 43.8 n/a
1991 371 4.0 92.7 n/a
1992 481 4.0 120.2 n/a
1993 518 4.0 129.5 n/a
1994 583 4.0 145.8 n/a
1995 569 4.0 142.3 0
1996 569 4.0 142.3 0
1997 574 4.0 143.5 0
1998 427 4.0 106.8 0
1999 454 5.0 90.8 n/a
2000 344 5.0 68.8 n/a
2001 272 3.0 90.7 n/a
2002 302 0.0 n/a n/a
2003 302 0.0 n/a n/a
2004 239 n/a n/a n/a
2005 255 3.0 85.0 n/a
2006 249 4.0 62.3 n/a
2007 373 n/a n/a n/a
2008 272 3.0 90.7 0
2009 277 n/a n/a 0
2010 199 2.1 94.7 0
2011 210 0.5 420.0 0
2012 265 1.0 265.0 0
2013 266 0.2 1330.0 0
2014 268 1.0 268.0 9.3
2015 233 1.0 233.0 11.2
2016 274 1.0 274.0 0
2017 286 1.0 286.0 1
2018 292 1.2 237.3 1
2019 287 4.0 71.7 1
2020 274 2.5 109.6 1.1
2021 969 5.5 176.1 n/a
2022 743 1.0 743.0 n/a
2023 801 1.0 801.0 0.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 233 4.0 58.2 0
1990 219 5.0 43.8 n/a
1991 371 4.0 92.7 n/a
1992 481 4.0 120.2 n/a
1993 518 4.0 129.5 n/a
1994 583 4.0 145.8 n/a
1995 569 4.0 142.3 0
1996 569 4.0 142.3 0
1997 574 4.0 143.5 0
1998 427 4.0 106.8 0
1999 454 5.0 90.8 n/a
2000 344 5.0 68.8 n/a
2001 272 3.0 90.7 n/a
2002 302 0.0 n/a n/a
2003 302 0.0 n/a n/a
2004 239 n/a n/a n/a
2005 255 3.0 85.0 n/a
2006 249 4.0 62.3 n/a
2007 373 n/a n/a n/a
2008 272 3.0 90.7 0
2009 277 n/a n/a 0
2010 199 2.1 94.7 0
2011 210 0.5 420.0 0
2012 265 1.0 265.0 0
2013 266 0.2 1330.0 0
2014 268 1.0 268.0 9.3
2015 233 1.0 233.0 11.2
2016 274 1.0 274.0 0
2017 286 1.0 286.0 1
2018 292 1.2 237.3 1
2019 287 4.0 71.7 1
2020 274 2.5 109.6 1.1
2021 969 5.5 176.1 n/a
2022 743 1.0 743.0 n/a
2023 801 1.0 801.0 0.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $693 (8.6%) $7,374 (91.4%) $8,068

Data source: Alaska Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 114th of 185 Elementary schoolsRanks 23rd of 176 Elementary schools
 48.6%
Ranks 66th of 99 Middle schoolsRanks 11th of 92 Middle schools
 54.7%
Ranks 27th of 77 High schoolsRanks 1st of 62 High schools
 33.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
8th Grade Science (Fairbanks B.E.S.T.)44.475
 30.6%
   8th Grade Science (Fairbanks North Star Borough School District)50.340.1
 10.2%
   8th Grade Science (Alaska)43.134.5
 8.6%
10th Grade Science (Fairbanks B.E.S.T.)7062.5
 7.5%
   10th Grade Science (Fairbanks North Star Borough School District)57.338.4
 18.9%
   10th Grade Science (Alaska)53.633
 20.6%
All Grades Science (Fairbanks B.E.S.T.)54.866.7
 11.8%
   All Grades Science (Fairbanks North Star Borough School District)51.242.8
 8.4%
   All Grades Science (Alaska)44.736.9
 7.7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students287801
 179.1%
African American212
 500%
American Indian745
 542.9%
Asian833
 312.5%
Hispanic2270
 218.2%
Pacific Islander13
 200%
White216515
 138.4%
Two or More Races31123
 296.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients1%0.4%
 0.7%


Schools Near Fairbanks B.E.S.T.









Frequently Asked Questions about Fairbanks B.E.S.T.

Students at Fairbanks B.E.S.T. are 64% White, 15% Two or more races, 9% Hispanic, 6% American Indian, 4% Asian, 1% African American.

Fairbanks B.E.S.T. ranks 60th of 173 Alaska alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 801 students attended Fairbanks B.E.S.T..


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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