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Average

#167 of 412 schools in AK

Top 40% in state

Gruening Middle School

Middle School · Anchorage School District

9601 Lee St, Eagle River, AK 99577

Enrollment

596

Student-Teacher

20.6:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#167 of 412

In Eagle River

#9 of 10

public schools

In district

#42 of 93

Anchorage School District

Academic performance

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Gruening Middle School

6.7/10

Middle School in Eagle River · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Homestead Elementary

6.4/10

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

Eagle River Christian School

6.5/10

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

About Gruening Middle School

Gruening Middle School is a public middle school in Eagle River, AK, part of Anchorage School District. Gruening Middle School serves approximately 596 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Gruening Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #167 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Gruening Middle School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • AK avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Gruening Middle School runs 20.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

34% of students at Gruening Middle 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 Progress7.3Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.83 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency36% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,636
Chronic Absenteeism33.9%

Gruening Middle School — Students at Gruening Middle School score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 56.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 67.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from AK state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
76%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
80%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
93%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
54%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
60%
2022
Math
29%
ELA
42%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Gruening Middle School Compares

See how Gruening Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
60th percentile in AK
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
7.3/10
Very Good
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.9%

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

9601 Lee St, Eagle River, AK 99577

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gruening Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mirror Lake Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Chugiak), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Nicholas J. Begich Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Anchorage), a more accessible option. For more schools in Eagle River, see our Eagle River schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Homestead Elementary Eagle River 0.6 mi 6.4
EAGLE RIVER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Eagle River 0.5 mi 6.5
Alpenglow Elementary Eagle River 0.9 mi 7.7
Eagle River Elementary Eagle River 1.1 mi 7.1
Eagle River High School Eagle River 1.0 mi 6.8
Eagle Academy Charter School Eagle River 1.3 mi 9.2
Distance Learning/Corresp. Ctr. Eagle River 2.1 mi 8.2
Fire Lake Elementary Eagle River 2.6 mi 7.0
Ravenwood Elementary Eagle River 1.4 mi 8.1
ST JOHN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Eagle River 3.8 mi 6.9
Chugiak High School Chugiak 4.3 mi 5.8
Birchwood ABC Elementary Eagle River 4.7 mi 8.9
BIRCHWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chugiak 7.2 mi 5.4
Chugiak Elementary Chugiak 7.1 mi 8.0
Ursa Minor Elementary Jber 6.2 mi 7.6
Mirror Lake Middle School Chugiak 9.3 mi 6.9
Muldoon Elementary Anchorage 8.4 mi 5.6
Bartlett High School Anchorage 8.0 mi 5.1
Creekside Park Elementary Anchorage 9.0 mi 3.9
Nicholas J. Begich Middle School Anchorage 9.4 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99577 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$135,011

Median Home Value

$413,400

Median Rent

$1,709/mo

Population

27,917

College Educated

45.5%

Homeownership

78.9%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

5.2%

Median Age

34.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Dzantik'i Heeni Middle School Juneau, AK 6.7
Mirror Lake Middle School Chugiak, AK 6.9
Romig Middle School Anchorage, AK 6.5
Kenai Middle School Kenai, AK 5.8
Goldenview Middle School Anchorage, AK 7.7
Kodiak Middle School Kodiak, AK 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gruening Middle School

What grades does Gruening Middle School serve?

Gruening Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Gruening Middle School?

Gruening Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 596 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gruening Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gruening Middle School is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gruening Middle School rank in AK?

Gruening Middle School ranks #167 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Gruening Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gruening Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Gruening Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gruening Middle School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Gruening Middle School a charter school?

No, Gruening Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Gruening Middle School a Title I school?

No, Gruening Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gruening Middle School?

15.3% of students at Gruening Middle 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
10 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
596
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
15.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Anchorage Municipality
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.9%

District

Anchorage School District
District Enrollment
43,363
Schools in District
94
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,636
District Rank
#42 of 93

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