Average
#278 of 412 schools in AK
Big Lake Elementary
Elementary School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
PO Box 520049, Big Lake, AK 99652
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alaska schools
#278 of 412
In Big Lake
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#33 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Shortlisting around Big Lake Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Big Lake Elementary
Elementary School in Big Lake · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Houston Middle School
3.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Houston High School
3.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Big Lake Elementary
Big Lake Elementary is a public elementary school in Big Lake, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Big Lake Elementary serves approximately 320 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Big Lake Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #278 of 412 schools in AK.
Structured state assessment records for Big Lake Elementary show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.6 · Average
- District avg 6.9
- AK avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Big Lake Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
66% of students at Big Lake Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Big Lake Elementary — Students at Big Lake Elementary score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 test records from AK state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.8/10.
How Big Lake Elementary Compares
See how Big Lake Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 520049, Big Lake, AK 99652
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Big Lake Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Orion Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 21.1 miles away, in nearby Jber), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aurora Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 20.9 miles away, in nearby Jber), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Willow Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Willow), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Big Lake, see our Big Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Houston Middle School Big Lake | 3.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Houston High School Houston | 3.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Joe Redington Senior Jr/Sr High School Wasilla | 4.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Dena'ina Elementary School Wasilla | 5.0 mi | 8.1 |
| American Charter Academy Wasilla | 6.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Midnight Sun Family Learning Center Wasilla | 7.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Goose Bay Elementary Wasilla | 6.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Knik Elementary School Wasilla | 6.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Meadow Lakes Elementary Wasilla | 8.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Willow Elementary Willow | 15.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Aurora Elementary Jber | 20.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Orion Elementary School Jber | 21.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Mountain View Elementary Anchorage | 21.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Government Hill Elementary Anchorage | 21.2 mi | 5.9 |
| William Tyson Elementary Anchorage | 21.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Clark Middle School Anchorage | 21.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Snowshoe Elementary Wasilla | 10.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Bartlett High School Anchorage | 21.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Ursa Minor Elementary Jber | 20.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Wonder Park Elementary Anchorage | 22.1 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99652 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,310
Median Home Value
$280,200
Median Rent
$1,066/mo
Population
4,066
College Educated
18.7%
Homeownership
75.2%
Avg Commute
37.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
40.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Kax_dig_oowu Heen Elementary School Juneau, AK | 5.6 |
| Muldoon Elementary Anchorage, AK | 5.6 |
| Susitna Elementary Anchorage, AK | 5.5 |
| East Elementary Kodiak, AK | 5.7 |
| Mendenhall River Community School Juneau, AK | 5.7 |
| North Pole Elementary North Pole, AK | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Big Lake Elementary
What grades does Big Lake Elementary serve?
Big Lake Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Big Lake Elementary?
Big Lake Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 320 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Lake Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Big Lake Elementary is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Big Lake Elementary rank in AK?
Big Lake Elementary ranks #278 of 412 schools in AK.
What is Big Lake Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Big Lake Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Big Lake Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Big Lake Elementary has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Big Lake Elementary a charter school?
No, Big Lake Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Big Lake Elementary a Title I school?
No, Big Lake Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Lake Elementary?
67.2% of students at Big Lake 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 320
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 65.9%
- Phone
- (907) 892-9700
Resources & Links
District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 19,421
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,575
- District Rank
- #33 of 45
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.