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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.9Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+32.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,200

Bear Valley Elementary — Students at Bear Valley Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 72.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AK state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
70%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
70%
ELA
69%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.8/10
93th percentile in AK
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
5%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,811/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Anchorage). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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