| Metric | Copper River School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 400 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 5 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $22,593/yr | $17,619/yr | ↑ 28% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper River School District (this district) | 8/10 | 71st | 400 |
| Alaska Gateway School District | 4/10 | 36th | 386 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 43 rated districts in AK → 71st percentile → 8/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
- Slana School — 8.9 mi · Grades PK–12 · 14 students
About Copper River School District
Families in zip code 99586 (Gakona, Alaska) are assigned to Copper River School District for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Copper River School District 8 out of 10 — above average among Alaska public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Alaska is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Copper River School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Alaska. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 99586
Children in zip code 99586 are assigned to Copper River School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 99586, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Copper River School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Alaska districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Gakona
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Copper River School District serves zip code 99586, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 99586 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Alaska, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Copper River School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 99586.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Copper River School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 99586 data.