Average
#240 of 412 schools in AK
Dena'ina Elementary School
Elementary School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
PO Box 877469, Wasilla, AK 99687
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wasilla
#10 of 24
public schools
Alaska elementary schools
#91 of 165
In district
#25 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Academic performance
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Dena'ina Elementary School
Dena'ina Elementary School in Wasilla, Alaska, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-K through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 384 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, the school provides a relatively small class size, fostering a supportive learning environment. The school is part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and has 26 full-time equivalent teachers.
Dena'ina Elementary School is situated in a rural area near the town of Wasilla, offering students a peaceful setting away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 places it in the 57th percentile among schools in Alaska, with room for academic growth. In terms of test performance, 27% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 22% are proficient or above in Math.
Despite these statistics, the school is dedicated to student development and continuous improvement. Dena'ina Elementary School is a community-focused institution, situated in a rural setting that offers a close-knit atmosphere for students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dena'ina Elementary School 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Dena'ina Elementary School — Students at Dena'ina Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.2%
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
↓ 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: 5.3/10.
How Dena'ina Elementary School Compares
See how Dena'ina Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
PO Box 877469, Wasilla, AK 99687
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dena'ina Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Birchwood ABC Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Eagle River), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fire Lake Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Eagle River), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Snowshoe Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 6.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wasilla, see our Wasilla schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Redington Senior Jr/Sr High School Wasilla | 0.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Goose Bay Elementary Wasilla | 3.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Knik Elementary School Wasilla | 3.9 mi | 4.4 |
| American Charter Academy Wasilla | 6.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Midnight Sun Family Learning Center Wasilla | 7.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Houston Middle School Big Lake | 6.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Houston High School Houston | 6.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Meadow Lakes Elementary Wasilla | 8.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Big Lake Elementary Big Lake | 5.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Snowshoe Elementary Wasilla | 6.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Birchwood ABC Elementary Eagle River | 10.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Chugiak High School Chugiak | 10.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Distance Learning/Corresp. Ctr. Eagle River | 12.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Fire Lake Elementary Eagle River | 11.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Eagle Academy Charter School Eagle River | 13.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Burchell High School Wasilla | 8.6 mi | 5.3 |
| ST JOHN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Eagle River | 11.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Eagle River Elementary Eagle River | 13.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Eagle River High School Eagle River | 14.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Homestead Elementary Eagle River | 13.6 mi | 5.7 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Mt. View Elementary Kenai, AK | 6.1 |
| Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer, AK | 6.1 |
| Tanaina Elementary Wasilla, AK | 6.0 |
| Barnette Magnet School Fairbanks, AK | 6.2 |
| Birchtree Charter School Palmer, AK | 6.2 |
| June Nelson Elementary Kotzebue, AK | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dena'ina Elementary School
What grades does Dena'ina Elementary School serve?
Dena'ina Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dena'ina Elementary School?
Dena'ina Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 384 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dena'ina Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dena'ina Elementary School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dena'ina Elementary School rank in AK?
Dena'ina Elementary School is ranked #240 out of 412 schools in AK.
What is Dena'ina Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dena'ina Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Dena'ina Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dena'ina Elementary School has 35.3% math proficiency and 38.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dena'ina Elementary School a charter school?
No, Dena'ina Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dena'ina Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Dena'ina Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dena'ina Elementary School?
85.2% of students at Dena'ina Elementary School 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
- City Safety
- High (2,881/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wasilla). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 384
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Phone
- (907) 864-5600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 19,421
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,575
- District Rank
- #25 of 45
Other Schools in This District
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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