Skip to main content

Average

#272 of 412 schools in AK

Mentasta Lake School

School · Alaska Gateway School District

Box 6039, Mentasta Lake, AK 99780

Enrollment

30

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#272 of 412

In district

#3 of 5

Alaska Gateway School District

School environment

8.5 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Mentasta Lake School?

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.

Mentasta Lake School

5.6/10

School in Mentasta Lake · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Slana School

Nearby

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

Tanacross School

Nearby

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

About Mentasta Lake School

Mentasta Lake School is a public school in Mentasta Lake, AK, part of Alaska Gateway School District. Mentasta Lake School serves approximately 30 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Mentasta Lake School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #272 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Mentasta Lake School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • AK avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 30 students, Mentasta Lake School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Mentasta Lake 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.

53% of students at Mentasta Lake 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.39 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)10% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+0.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College Readiness3.1Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$42,798
Chronic Absenteeism53.3%

Mentasta Lake School — Students at Mentasta Lake School score 10% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 10%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

110%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.2% (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
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2010
Math
49.5%
ELA
30%
2011
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2012
Math
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2013
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2016
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Mentasta Lake School Compares

See how Mentasta Lake School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
34th percentile in AK
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
Sports
1
0 boys' · 1 girls'

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
110%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
53.3%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics1sport offered
0 boys'·1 girls'·1 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

Box 6039, Mentasta Lake, AK 99780

Nearby Schools

2 within 33.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Slana School Slana 16.3 mi
Tanacross School Tanacross 33.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99780 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,929

Median Home Value

$218,600

Median Rent

$639/mo

Population

1,790

College Educated

10.7%

Homeownership

80.4%

Poverty Rate

18.3%

Median Age

46.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Kobuk School Kobuk, AK 5.8
Beryozova School Willow, AK 5.3
Gerstle River School Delta Junction, AK 5.3
Kokhanok School Kokhanok, AK 5.3
Old Harbor School Old Harbor, AK 5.9
Tetlin School Tok, AK 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mentasta Lake School

What grades does Mentasta Lake School serve?

Mentasta Lake School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Mentasta Lake School?

Mentasta Lake School has an enrollment of approximately 30 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mentasta Lake School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mentasta Lake School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mentasta Lake School rank in AK?

Mentasta Lake School ranks #272 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Mentasta Lake School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mentasta Lake School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Mentasta Lake School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mentasta Lake School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Mentasta Lake School a charter school?

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

Is Mentasta Lake School a Title I school?

No, Mentasta Lake School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mentasta Lake School?

110.0% of students at Mentasta Lake 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.

3 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
110.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Copper River Census Area
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
53.3%

District

Alaska Gateway School District
District Enrollment
369
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$42,798
District Rank
#3 of 5

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 rate

Get 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.