2023 Best Public High Schools in Alaska

• Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  129 reviews

Alum: The first years of going here were great! I felt safe and being in a smaller school, I felt in touch with my peers and teachers. That changed junior year when the administration changed--bringing in many more students without an application and new staff that was not as good as previous. The campus was a closed campus, yet students still left--facing no punishments. Since it is a tech school, there are no art or music classes, nor sports, so students must go elsewhere. Overall, I think the school is pretty decent compared to other schools in the valley, but there definitely needs some improvements.... Read 129 reviews

• grade A

• Students 753

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Anchorage School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  323 reviews

Senior: West High School is one of the most diverse high schools in country and its real mix of lower and higher income students, which is an excellence environment for learning from others who do not have your same experiences. The teachers are kind and always care not only about your academic performance but also your well-being. The school has its issues with low budgets and a building that's a mishmash of new and old construction, meaning that maintenance and repairs are a constant. Despite these issues, the west high community is one I'm proud to be a part of. Go eagles!... Read 323 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,752

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Juneau Borough School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  155 reviews

Senior: Foggy Mornings and dark winters encroach on the large building with towering windows. Inside sleepy students walk through the carefully constructed halls, whose lack of quality heating create a chilly atmosphere. Natural light fills the walls with high ceilings, and the classrooms are lit with the overcast glow from outside. Although class may be boring, excited snow flurries from outside dance in intricate patterns, creating a sense of keen interest not only for the class but for the day. Thunder Mountain High School embodies these qualities; sleepy students, glorious natural light from its many windows, and efficient design that allows for students to effectively travel from class to class. Although its academics may not be as well thought out or effective, the staff and students are phenomenal people who create a loving and inviting environment like no other, a high standard enjoyed by visitors from neighboring Alaskan schools and students.... Read 155 reviews

• grade A

• Students 580

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Anchorage School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  193 reviews

Alum: I was at SAHS for all 4 years of high school and I liked it a lot! I was on the volleyball team as well as swing choir, and I was able to take classes that were fun while also taking classes that pushed me to be a better student (AP, Honors courses). Overall, I had a positive experience with SAHS.... Read 193 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,243

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Petersburg Borough School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Alum: Petersburg High School is an excellent public school that provides top-notch schooling, access to technology in the form of four-year laptop loan, and teachers and staff that truly care about your learning experience.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A

• Students 119

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  20 reviews

Sophomore: I like it. Its one of two options in my town, and I enjoy and look forward to classes every day! I wish there was more of a theatre program, if any. We have a wonderful theatre but the school only utilizes it for the annual Choir musical. That is the only opportunity for people to get on our stage!... Read 20 reviews

• grade A

• Students 360

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  161 reviews

Junior: There is good school spirit and teacher involvement. The teachers care very much about their students, but sadly the school district does not have great funding, so teacher jobs are inconsistent and often changing. The sports are barely funded from the school as well. The teams and coaches are excellent, but player fees are often high as a result. The lowest funding depression is in the music department across all schools in town. Music classes and clubs are hardly funded at all, and so student interest and involvement declines, causing cuts of teachers and classes. It is a hard fight with the school district and school administrations to keep music afloat. That being said, the kids who are involved in music at my school are very talented and devoted, along with our hard-working teachers. There is a good variety of clubs at the school, even with our small population. The teachers and kids who organize the clubs are very passionate, which helps boost the school spirit.... Read 161 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 896

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Anchorage School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  251 reviews

Junior: I have enjoyed my experience at Dimond high school. I am currently a Junior in the Alaska middle college program so I no longer attend Dimond, but I did enjoy how welcoming everyone is there. The staff works really hard to make sure that their students are doing well in their classes and they try hard to build relationships as well. I have connected with so many staff members and I am glad that I was able to build a relationship with them over the years. I have enjoyed the after-school sports that they provide because they really strive to make each kid better.... Read 251 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,381

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Juneau Borough School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  119 reviews

Senior: It’s been okay, there’s definitely good o People and it’s definitely better than Thunder Mountain, but there’s also negatives. For example there are so many kids that get into or have been in drugs and for the most part, JDHS doesn’t do anything about it. Also the food at school is awful but with this town being so small we can easily walk to a place with food in our given lunch time. The teachers there are very nice and they all (at least seem like) try their best with us and are all motivated in their own way. Having a teacher that’s as motivated to teach you as the honors kid is to learn is fairly reassuring. Plus having a school that’s always offering summer school not just for credit recovery but also to get ahead is amazing. For me it’s just perfect, thanks to all those classes I will be graduating 2023 at 16 years old. Which reminds me, the counselors there are just amazing people, become friends with them and they will recommend you for almost any college you want to go to.... Read 119 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 545

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Anchorage School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  149 reviews

Senior: At Eagle River high school, teachers take time to make sure their students get the education they in order to be prepared for collage. Many teachers at my school are personable with the students which creates a fun but studious environment and atmosphere. This school is one of the newer ones in the district and is always looking and feeling clean. We have great education and sports, I only wish there was a wider range of activities and clubs during or after school. It would also be nice to have better funding. Overall, I have had a great experience the last 3 years at Eagle River Highschool and I will miss attending after I leave for collage!... Read 149 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 767

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Anchorage School District, AK•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  35 reviews

Alum: I loved this school so much during my time there. I began there in 7th grade, and continued until senior year. The school gave me opportunities to use my voice, like hosting school-wide meetings to address an issue. I had the freedom to choose my classes (I still had to take my core credits) and I could have the option to adjust them to fit my needs. Everyone knows each other because of its small size, and that leads to a great support system within peer groups; sometimes, going to school with the same few kids can be hard, but it taught me how to adapt and work through relationships I viewed as important. Students and staff are extremely accepting students and their individuality, which helped me become more comfortable with myself during some of the most awkward years of my life. Steller isn’t for everybody, but those who use the school to its full potential can come out a stronger, independent person who can voice their opinions appropriately and with ease.... Read 35 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 278

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Anchorage School District, AK•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  54 reviews

Junior: I have been going to Polaris K-12 School since I was in seventh grade and I fell in love with it! I love going to a school where kids ranging from kindergarten to twelfth grade walk the hallways. As a person who wants to work with kids as an adult, this is the perfect environment for me. All of the teachers are very understanding and push the students to do their best in everything they do. The students also have a huge voice when it comes down to what has happened around the school. I love the block schedule and the opportunity to take college classes at the school. The only problem with this school is the drama that goes around among the students. There are many students that were very dramatic in middle school and that brought a lot of conflict throughout the grade. High school, however, is drama free. I also wish that the drama department had a theater so that all of the concerts would not have to be preformed in the gym. That is the only problem with smaller schools.... Read 54 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 460

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Online School•

• Iditarod Area School District, AK•

• K-12

• grade A minus

• Students 149

• Student-teacher ratio 149:1

• Aleutians East Borough School District, AK•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.47 out of 5  17 reviews

Senior: Sand Point has taught me a lot of things academically even with very few teachers here. You would know everyone at this school so you'll have everyone as friends.... Read 17 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 117

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Galena City School District, AK•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: They offer a variety of classes not offered in other schools in Alaska like Cosmetology and Aviation, the support system is great and the teachers and staff are awesome.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 39

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Galena City School District, AK•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.55 out of 5  89 reviews

Junior: Interior Distance Education Alaska (IDEA) offers learning opportunities to all students. They stay heavily involved in the education/learning process to ensure students are obtaining their full potential. By assigning qualified contact teachers to each student, IDEA introduces a level of accountability unique to their system. My contact teacher always makes it a priority to check in with me regularly to see how I am doing, make sure I understand and enjoy what I am learning, and stay on track in my path to success. Another special feature about IDEA is the extra activities they organize for their students. From field trips to talent shows or even an occasional bowling party, they work hard to maintain a fun and interactive learning community. IDEA makes learning a priority but they make learning a fun and smooth process for the student.... Read 89 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 9,216

• Student-teacher ratio 181:1

• Unalaska City School District, AK•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  21 reviews

Alum: Unalaska Junior/Senior High School is a incredibly honest, great minded, and close-knit school. Every class were as close as family, if not already a family related or not. Although many long-time teachers there tended to pick favorites, whether intelligent or faculty related, the majority had the students success in mind at all times. I could feel that the teachers cared, and the class advisors became guardians to the students. The Unalaska Junior/Senior High School is a school that can be envied and looked up to, because of the amazingly talented and intelligent students that come from it.... Read 21 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 161

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Anchorage School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  276 reviews

Senior: I would love to see a more blended environment at Service- there are definitely some feelings of division between academic abilities, and learning levels. I love the seminar program, which I am in, as it helps blend grade levels and introduce underclassmen to more difficult subjects in an easy way.... Read 276 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,473

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, AK•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  8 reviews

Alum: It was such a unique place to attend high school! The life experiences I gained and courses I studied prepared me for my future in a way no other school could have. The teachers and staff were so attentive and interested in helping all students succeed.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 35

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Lake & Peninsula Borough School District, AK•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  3 reviews

Senior: Tanalian School is good only if you are okay with a cold and very small village in the middle of no where.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 54

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Wrangell Public School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  7 reviews

Senior: I love going to school here! Wrangell Alaska is such a nice little community. There sports and music programs are amazing!... Read 7 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 57

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Kodiak Island Borough School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  130 reviews

Senior: I like how many opportunities kodiak high school brings, whether it be sports or fun electives. Coming from a small town with a run down school, kodiak was the perfect place for me and my family to branch out of our comfort zones and explore new aspects of life. All the teachers and students are extremely nice, and I have definitely connected and made my best friends going to Kodiak high. This school has some advanced qualities being four stories, and having multiple wings for designated classes. I never thought that I would enjoy moving anywhere, but the second I found out about all the opportunities Kodiak High school had, I was beyond excited, and my nerves relaxed. I was able to tryout for sports and play and be coached by amazing coaches within volleyball and basketball, and could not ask for a better 4 years of my life. When covid struck Kodiak High School they took everything extremely seriously and had every student wearing masks, and when it got to extreme measures shut down.... Read 130 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 610

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  93 reviews

Senior: For a school in such a small town, the variety of classes amazes me. It really gives students a chance to discover themselves through classes like engine repair and welding to culinary and anatomy. With such a vast difference in the classes that I was able to be a part of I was more easily able to figure out what I want to do with my life. Another benefit of a school this size is that no one really feels like a stranger, especially the teachers, who genuinely seem like they care about our wellbeing. I am extremely grateful that I was able to attend high school at Kayhi!... Read 93 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 518

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Copper River School District, AK•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  5 reviews

Senior: Kenny Lake School has been a great experience. It is a super small school, with about 18 kids in the high school side, so you know everybody. You are able to form such strong bonds with other students and faculty members that you almost become family members. One thing that is lacking for our school is funding. Because we are becoming so small our funding is being cut short so our academics are faltering a bit.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 51

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Online School•

• Juneau Borough School District, AK•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.27 out of 5  11 reviews

Senior: I really liked how much the teachers genuinely care for you. You really feel like they are trying their best to get you to where you want to be.... Read 11 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 81

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1