Needs Improvement
#412 of 412 schools in AK
Houston Middle School
Middle School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
PO Box 520920, Big Lake, AK 99652
Enrollment
344
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
3.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
344
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
3.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alaska schools
#412 of 412
In Big Lake
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#45 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
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Houston Middle School
Middle School in Big Lake · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Houston High School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Big Lake Elementary
3.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Houston Middle School
Houston Middle School is a public middle school in Big Lake, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Houston Middle School serves approximately 344 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Houston Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #412 of 412 schools in AK.
Structured state assessment records for Houston Middle School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.6
- AK avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
Houston Middle 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.
65% of students at Houston 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Houston Middle School — Students at Houston Middle School score 12% 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 22 test records from AK state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.9/10.
How Houston Middle School Compares
See how Houston Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 520920, Big Lake, AK 99652
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Houston Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Eagle Academy Charter School (rated 9.2/10, 19.6 miles away, in nearby Eagle River), which scores notably higher. Another option is Birchwood ABC Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Eagle River), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Willow Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 14.0 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 17.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Houston High School Houston | 0.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Big Lake Elementary Big Lake | 3.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Joe Redington Senior Jr/Sr High School Wasilla | 6.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Dena'ina Elementary School Wasilla | 6.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Midnight Sun Family Learning Center Wasilla | 4.6 mi | 7.2 |
| American Charter Academy Wasilla | 4.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Meadow Lakes Elementary Wasilla | 5.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Goose Bay Elementary Wasilla | 6.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Knik Elementary School Wasilla | 6.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Snowshoe Elementary Wasilla | 9.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Burchell High School Wasilla | 9.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Willow Elementary Willow | 14.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Tanaina Elementary Wasilla | 10.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Birchwood ABC Elementary Eagle River | 16.7 mi | 8.9 |
| Chugiak High School Chugiak | 17.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Twindly Bridge Charter School Wasilla | 10.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Distance Learning/Corresp. Ctr. Eagle River | 18.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Eagle Academy Charter School Eagle River | 19.6 mi | 9.2 |
| Fire Lake Elementary Eagle River | 18.3 mi | 7.0 |
| ST JOHN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Eagle River | 17.6 mi | 6.9 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Ryan Middle School Fairbanks, AK | 4.2 |
| Central Middle School of Science Anchorage, AK | 4.3 |
| Floyd Dryden Middle School Juneau, AK | 4.3 |
| Skyview Middle School Soldotna, AK | 4.3 |
| Eben Hopson Middle School Utqiagvik, AK | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Houston Middle School
What grades does Houston Middle School serve?
Houston Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Houston Middle School?
Houston Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 344 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Houston Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Houston Middle School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Houston Middle School rank in AK?
Houston Middle School ranks #412 of 412 schools in AK.
What is Houston Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Houston Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Houston Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Houston Middle School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Houston Middle School a charter school?
No, Houston Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Houston Middle School a Title I school?
No, Houston Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Houston Middle School?
67.2% of students at Houston 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 344
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 64.5%
- Phone
- (907) 892-9500
Resources & Links
District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 19,421
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,575
- District Rank
- #45 of 45
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