Very Good
#80 of 412 schools in AK
Top 19% in state
John Shaw Elementary
Elementary School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
3750 E Paradise Ln, Wasilla, AK 99654
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alaska schools
#80 of 412
In Wasilla
#5 of 24
public schools
In district
#9 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Academic performance
8.7 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around John Shaw 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.
John Shaw Elementary
Elementary School in Wasilla · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Teeland Middle School
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mat-su Career & Tech Ed High School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About John Shaw Elementary
John Shaw Elementary is a public elementary school in Wasilla, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. John Shaw Elementary serves approximately 483 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. John Shaw Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #80 of 412 schools in AK.
Structured state assessment records for John Shaw Elementary show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 6.9
- AK avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
43% of students at John Shaw 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
John Shaw Elementary — Students at John Shaw Elementary score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.6%
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: 7.9/10.
How John Shaw Elementary Compares
See how John Shaw Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
3750 E Paradise Ln, Wasilla, AK 99654
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John Shaw Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pioneer Peak Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Palmer), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Larson Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wasilla, see our Wasilla schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Teeland Middle School Wasilla | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Mat-Su Career & Tech Ed High School Wasilla | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Fronteras Charter School Wasilla | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Mat-Su Day School Wasilla | 1.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Larson Elementary Wasilla | 1.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Cottonwood Creek Elementary Wasilla | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla | 2.9 mi | — |
| Knik Charter School Wasilla | 2.9 mi | — |
| Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Wasilla High School Wasilla | 3.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla | 5.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Wasilla Middle School Wasilla | 3.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Birchtree Charter School Palmer | 3.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Mat-Su Central School Wasilla | 4.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Iditarod Elementary Wasilla | 3.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Twindly Bridge Charter School Wasilla | 3.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Tanaina Elementary Wasilla | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer | 4.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer | 5.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Colony Middle School Palmer | 4.7 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99654 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$93,739
Median Home Value
$342,200
Median Rent
$1,233/mo
Population
44,420
College Educated
23.8%
Homeownership
71.7%
Avg Commute
32.5 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Median Age
35.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Auke Bay Elementary Juneau, AK | 7.6 |
| Ursa Minor Elementary Jber, AK | 7.6 |
| Barnette Magnet School Fairbanks, AK | 7.5 |
| Kincaid Elementary Anchorage, AK | 7.5 |
| Alpenglow Elementary Eagle River, AK | 7.7 |
| Pearl Creek Elementary Fairbanks, AK | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John Shaw Elementary
What grades does John Shaw Elementary serve?
John Shaw Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend John Shaw Elementary?
John Shaw Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 483 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John Shaw Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at John Shaw Elementary is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John Shaw Elementary rank in AK?
John Shaw Elementary ranks #80 of 412 schools in AK.
What is John Shaw Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
John Shaw Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 John Shaw Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, John Shaw Elementary has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is John Shaw Elementary a charter school?
No, John Shaw Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John Shaw Elementary a Title I school?
No, John Shaw Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John Shaw Elementary?
41.6% of students at John Shaw 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
- 483
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.3%
- Phone
- (907) 352-0500
Resources & Links
District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 19,421
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,575
- District Rank
- #9 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.