Very Good
#32 of 412 schools in AK
Top 8% in state
Bear Valley Elementary
Elementary School · Anchorage School District
15001 Mountain Air Dr, Anchorage, AK 99516
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Anchorage
#8 of 78
public schools
Alaska elementary schools
#14 of 165
In district
#9 of 93
Anchorage School District
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Bear Valley Elementary
Bear Valley Elementary serves 382 students in prekindergarten through sixth grade in Anchorage, Alaska's affluent Bear Valley neighborhood. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio that supports personalized attention for young learners. The school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement, earning a 7.8 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 26th out of 413 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 94th percentile.
Students consistently perform well on state assessments, with 69% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English Language Arts and an impressive 70% achieving proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. Bear Valley Elementary draws families from one of Anchorage's most educated communities, where 56% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $151,291. The neighborhood's low 4.1% poverty rate reflects the area's economic stability, with median home values of $541,400 indicating strong community investment in education.
The school's strong academic performance aligns well with its community's educational priorities and resources. Located on Mountain Air Drive in a rural setting near town, Bear Valley Elementary offers students a blend of academic excellence and the natural beauty that defines Alaska's educational landscape.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Bear Valley Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Bear Valley Elementary — Students at Bear Valley Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AK state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.0/10.
How Bear Valley Elementary Compares
See how Bear Valley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 70% (2019) to 70% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 69% (2022).
Location
15001 Mountain Air Dr, Anchorage, AK 99516
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bear Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Huffman Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is O'Malley Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bowman Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 3.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Anchorage, see our Anchorage schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Goldenview Middle School Anchorage | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| O'Malley Elementary Anchorage | 2.6 mi | 7.6 |
| ANCHORAGE JUNIOR ACADEMY Anchorage | 2.9 mi | 6.7 |
| South Anchorage High School Anchorage | 2.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Service High School Anchorage | 3.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Huffman Elementary Anchorage | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Trailside Elementary Anchorage | 4.1 mi | 6.8 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ELEMENTARY Anchorage | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SECONDARY Anchorage | 2.8 mi | 4.5 |
| ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON SCHOOL Anchorage | 3.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Rabbit Creek Elementary Anchorage | 3.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Hanshew Middle School Anchorage | 4.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Spring Hill Elementary Anchorage | 4.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Kasuun Elementary Anchorage | 5.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Benny Benson Alternative High School Anchorage | 6.6 mi | 5.2 |
| PACIFIC NORTHERN ACADEMY Anchorage | 4.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Bowman Elementary Anchorage | 3.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Scenic Park Elementary Anchorage | 7.0 mi | 3.9 |
| ANCHORAGE WALDORF SCHOOL Anchorage | 7.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Anchorage STrEaM Academy Anchorage | 7.5 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99516 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$160,341
Median Home Value
$576,600
Median Rent
$1,284/mo
Population
21,208
College Educated
55.6%
Homeownership
89.4%
Avg Commute
21.7 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
40.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bear Valley Elementary has a median household income of $160,341. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $576,600, with a median rent of $1,284/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aquarian Charter School Anchorage, AK | 7.8 |
| Huffman Elementary Anchorage, AK | 7.8 |
| Birchwood ABC Elementary Eagle River, AK | 7.7 |
| Point Higgins School Ketchikan, AK | 7.7 |
| Fronteras Charter School Wasilla, AK | 8.0 |
| O'Malley Elementary Anchorage, AK | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bear Valley Elementary
What grades does Bear Valley Elementary serve?
Bear Valley Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Bear Valley Elementary?
Bear Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 382 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bear Valley Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bear Valley Elementary is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bear Valley Elementary rank in AK?
Bear Valley Elementary is ranked #32 out of 412 schools in AK.
What is Bear Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bear Valley Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bear Valley Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bear Valley Elementary has 72.3% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bear Valley Elementary a charter school?
No, Bear Valley Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bear Valley Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bear Valley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bear Valley Elementary?
5.0% of students at Bear Valley Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 382
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 5.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Anchorage Municipality
- Phone
- (907) 742-5900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Anchorage School District- District Enrollment
- 43,363
- Schools in District
- 94
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,636
- District Rank
- #9 of 93
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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