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Excellent

#51 of 412 schools in AK

Top 12% in state

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

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#51 of 412

In Wasilla

#3 of 24

public schools

In district

#6 of 45

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Dena'ina Elementary School

8.1/10

Elementary School in Wasilla · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Joe Redington Senior Jr/sr High School

6.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Goose Bay Elementary

7.2/10

3.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Dena'ina Elementary School

Dena'ina Elementary School is a public elementary school in Wasilla, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Dena'ina Elementary School serves approximately 384 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Dena'ina Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #51 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Dena'ina Elementary School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.9
  • AK avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Dena'ina Elementary School 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.

57% of students at Dena'ina Elementary School 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 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)16% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,575
Chronic Absenteeism56.8%

Dena'ina Elementary School — Students at Dena'ina Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.7% (multi-year average, 2016-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.3% (multi-year average, 2016-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 14 test records from AK state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2016
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
27%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Dena'ina Elementary School Compares

See how Dena'ina Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
88th percentile in AK
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
56.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Eagle Academy Charter School (rated 9.2/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Eagle River), which scores notably higher. Another option is Birchwood ABC Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Eagle River), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Goose Bay Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 3.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 6.9
Goose Bay Elementary Wasilla 3.9 mi 7.2
Knik Elementary School Wasilla 3.9 mi 7.0
American Charter Academy Wasilla 6.0 mi 7.1
Midnight Sun Family Learning Center Wasilla 7.0 mi 7.2
Houston Middle School Big Lake 6.6 mi 3.1
Houston High School Houston 6.8 mi 3.8
Meadow Lakes Elementary Wasilla 8.0 mi 4.0
Big Lake Elementary Big Lake 5.0 mi 5.6
Snowshoe Elementary Wasilla 6.6 mi 6.8
Birchwood ABC Elementary Eagle River 10.2 mi 8.9
Chugiak High School Chugiak 10.4 mi 5.8
Distance Learning/Corresp. Ctr. Eagle River 12.1 mi 8.2
Fire Lake Elementary Eagle River 11.7 mi 7.0
Eagle Academy Charter School Eagle River 13.0 mi 9.2
Burchell High School Wasilla 8.6 mi 5.2
ST JOHN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Eagle River 11.0 mi 6.9
Eagle River Elementary Eagle River 13.1 mi 7.1
Eagle River High School Eagle River 14.4 mi 6.8
Homestead Elementary Eagle River 13.6 mi 6.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer, AK 8.1
Ravenwood Elementary Eagle River, AK 8.1
Chugiak Elementary Chugiak, AK 8.0
Delta Junction Elementary Delta Junction, AK 8.2
Point Higgins School Ketchikan, AK 8.0
Trailside Elementary Anchorage, AK 8.2

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 ranks #51 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Dena'ina Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dena'ina Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Dena'ina Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dena'ina Elementary School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
2 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
56.8%

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