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Average

#332 of 412 schools in AK

Sterling Elementary

Elementary School · Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Drawer 89, Sterling, AK 99672

Enrollment

124

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska elementary schools

#124 of 165

In district

#25 of 35

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

School environment

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Sterling Elementary

Sterling Elementary in Sterling, Alaska, is a charming rural elementary school that offers a warm and welcoming learning environment for its 124 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1, Sterling Elementary provides a personalized education experience, ensuring that each child receives individualized attention and support. The school boasts 11 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to fostering a nurturing and engaging educational setting.

Sterling Elementary's academic performance places it in the 56th percentile among Alaska schools, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.8 out of 10. While the school's proficiency rates in ELA/Reading (17%) and Math (22%) are modest, they reflect a community focused on student development and continuous improvement. The school's location in a rural area provides a peaceful and supportive setting for students to grow and learn.

The Sterling neighborhood, with a median household income of $83,000 and a median home value of $295,400, is home to a community that values education and provides a stable and supportive environment for families. Sterling Elementary is nestled in a close-knit community where students benefit from a tight-knit school atmosphere and a strong sense of community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 124 students, Sterling Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Sterling Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,242

Sterling Elementary — Students at Sterling Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AK state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
17%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Sterling Elementary Compares

See how Sterling Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
20th percentile in AK
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

Drawer 89, Sterling, AK 99672

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sterling Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Soldotna Montessori Charter School (rated 7.8/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Soldotna), which scores notably higher. Another option is Soldotna Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Soldotna), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Aurora Borealis Charter School (rated 6.7/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Kenai), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sterling, see our Sterling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Connections Soldotna 9.8 mi 5.3
Soldotna Elementary Soldotna 9.8 mi 7.0
Soldotna Montessori Charter School Soldotna 9.8 mi 7.8
Soldotna High School Soldotna 10.6 mi 3.4
Redoubt Elementary Soldotna 10.9 mi 4.6
Skyview Middle School Soldotna 11.7 mi 5.2
River City Academy Soldotna 11.7 mi 7.3
COOK INLET ACADEMY Soldotna 11.8 mi 6.9
Kalifornsky Beach Elementary Soldotna 12.2 mi 5.7
Mt. View Elementary Kenai 13.1 mi 6.1
Kenai Middle School Kenai 14.0 mi 5.6
Kenai Central High School Kenai 14.2 mi 4.1
Marathon School Kenai 14.9 mi
WINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kenai 15.1 mi 7.0
Kenai Alternative High School Kenai 15.6 mi 7.2
Aurora Borealis Charter School Kenai 15.6 mi 6.7
Kaleidoscope School of Arts & Science Kenai 16.5 mi 6.5
Nikiski North Star Elementary Kenai 18.9 mi 4.9
Tustumena Elementary Kasilof 22.5 mi 6.3
Nikiski Middle/Senior High School Nikiski 21.7 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99672 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$99,536

Median Home Value

$313,300

Median Rent

$1,079/mo

Population

4,153

College Educated

27.2%

Homeownership

87.5%

Avg Commute

31.5 min

Poverty Rate

2.8%

Median Age

45.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sterling Elementary has a median household income of $99,536. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $313,300, with a median rent of $1,079/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Chapman School Anchor Point, AK 4.9
FAIRHILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fairbanks, AK 4.8
Richard Johnson Elementary Metlakatla, AK 4.7
Chinook Montessori Charter School Fairbanks, AK 5.8
ANCHOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL Anchorage, AK 4.4
McNeil Canyon Elementary Homer, AK 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sterling Elementary

What grades does Sterling Elementary serve?

Sterling Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Sterling Elementary?

Sterling Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 124 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sterling Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sterling Elementary is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sterling Elementary rank in AK?

Sterling Elementary is ranked #332 out of 412 schools in AK.

What is Sterling Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sterling Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Sterling Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sterling Elementary has 25.3% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sterling Elementary a charter school?

No, Sterling Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sterling Elementary a Title I school?

No, Sterling Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sterling Elementary?

46.8% of students at Sterling 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
124
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
District Enrollment
8,499
Schools in District
42
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,862
District Rank
#25 of 35

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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