Public School Review - Established 2003

Orion Elementary School vs. Ursa Minor Elementary School

Should you attend Orion Elementary School or Ursa Minor Elementary School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.

School Overview

School
Orion Elementary School
5112 Arctic Warrior Dr
Jber, AK 99506
: 
9/
10
Top 20%
Ursa Minor Elementary School
336 Hoonah Ave
Jber, AK 99505
: 
8/
10
Top 30%
Top Rankings

Orion Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alaska for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%)
n/a
Overview
Serving 446 students in grades Prekindergarten-6, Orion Elementary School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Alaska for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 45% (which is higher than the Alaska state average of 32%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 50-54% (which is higher than the Alaska state average of 29%).
The student-teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the Alaska state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Alaska state average of 53% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Ursa Minor Elementary School in Jber, AK serves 344 students from prekindergarten through 6th grade with a student–teacher ratio of 22:1, which is higher than the district's typical ratio of 18 to 20:1.
Math proficiency at Ursa Minor is 45–49%, which is higher than the state average of 32% and district average of 37%, while reading proficiency is 40–44%, also higher than the state average of 29% and roughly equal to the district average of 34%.
Science proficiency ranges from 30–39%, which is below the state average of 38% and district average of 40%, indicating weaker science performance relative to state and district levels.
The school's overall ranking declined from #55 in 2019 to #121 in 2023, showing a downward trend in relative performance among Alaska elementary schools.
Minority enrollment accounts for 46% of the student body, with 47% of students eligible for free or reduced–price lunch; the student–teacher ratio has increased from 17:1 in 2023 to 22:1 currently, reflecting larger class sizes over recent years.
Blue Ribbon Schools
Yes
-
Grades Offered
PK-6
PK-6
Total Students
446 students
344 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Orion Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Ursa Minor Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
47% | 53%
48% | 52%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Orion Elementary School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Ursa Minor Elementary School.
Total Classroom Teachers
25 teachers
16 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Orion Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Ursa Minor Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
22:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Orion Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Anchorage School District and the state of Alaska, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Ursa Minor Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Anchorage School District and the state of Alaska, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Test Scores

#86 out of 441 schools in AK
(Top 20%)
#121 out of 441 schools in AK
(Top 30%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Orion Elementary School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Ursa Minor Elementary School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
45%
(Top 50% in AK)
45-49%
(Top 30% in AK)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Orion Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Anchorage School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Ursa Minor Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Anchorage School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
50-54%
(Top 10% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
40-44%
(Top 50% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Orion Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Anchorage School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Ursa Minor Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Anchorage School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
50-59%
(Top 20% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
30-39%
(Bottom 50% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Orion Elementary School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Ursa Minor Elementary School by grade.
Pre-K Students
29
17
Kindergarten Students
65
49
Grade 1 Students
69
51
Grade 2 Students
69
53
Grade 3 Students
66
50
Grade 4 Students
61
46
Grade 5 Students
44
43
Grade 6 Students
43
35

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
1%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Orion Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Ursa Minor Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Asian
5%
2%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Orion Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Ursa Minor Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hispanic
19%
23%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Orion Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Ursa Minor Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
9%
8%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Orion Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Ursa Minor Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% White
55%
54%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Orion Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Ursa Minor Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
2%
2%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at Orion Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at Ursa Minor Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Two or more races
9%
10%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Orion Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Ursa Minor Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
0.65
0.64
This chart showcases the diversity score of Orion Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Anchorage School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Ursa Minor Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Anchorage School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
10%
14%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Orion Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Anchorage School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Ursa Minor Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Anchorage School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
15%
14%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Orion Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Anchorage School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Ursa Minor Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Anchorage School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
 
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