Below Average
#377 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
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
124
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alaska schools
#377 of 412
In district
#32 of 35
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very Good
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Sterling Elementary
Elementary School in Sterling · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Connections
9.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Soldotna Elementary
9.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Sterling Elementary
Sterling Elementary is a public elementary school in Sterling, AK, part of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. Sterling Elementary serves approximately 124 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Sterling Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #377 of 412 schools in AK.
Structured state assessment records for Sterling Elementary show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 6.5
- AK avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 124 students, Sterling Elementary 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.
Sterling Elementary 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.
61% of students at Sterling 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
Sterling Elementary — Students at Sterling Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.8%
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: 2.1/10.
How Sterling Elementary Compares
See how Sterling Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
Drawer 89, Sterling, AK 99672
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sterling Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aurora Borealis Charter School (rated 9.5/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Kenai), which scores notably higher. Another option is Soldotna Montessori Charter School (rated 8.5/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Soldotna), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tustumena Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 22.5 miles away, in nearby Kasilof), 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 | 6.2 |
| Soldotna Elementary Soldotna | 9.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Soldotna Montessori Charter School Soldotna | 9.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Soldotna High School Soldotna | 10.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Redoubt Elementary Soldotna | 10.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Skyview Middle School Soldotna | 11.7 mi | 4.3 |
| River City Academy Soldotna | 11.7 mi | 7.9 |
| COOK INLET ACADEMY Soldotna | 11.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Kalifornsky Beach Elementary Soldotna | 12.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Mt. View Elementary Kenai | 13.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Kenai Middle School Kenai | 14.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Kenai Central High School Kenai | 14.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Marathon School Kenai | 14.9 mi | — |
| WINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kenai | 15.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Kenai Alternative High School Kenai | 15.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Aurora Borealis Charter School Kenai | 15.6 mi | 9.5 |
| Kaleidoscope School of Arts & Science Kenai | 16.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Nikiski North Star Elementary Kenai | 18.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Tustumena Elementary Kasilof | 22.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Nikiski Middle/Senior High School Nikiski | 21.7 mi | 5.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANCHOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL Anchorage, AK | 4.5 |
| FAIRHILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fairbanks, AK | 4.8 |
| Richard Johnson Elementary Metlakatla, AK | 3.6 |
| Chapman School Anchor Point, AK | 5.0 |
| Glennallen Elementary Glennallen, AK | 5.0 |
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 ranks #377 of 412 schools in AK.
What is Sterling Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sterling Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Sterling Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sterling Elementary has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 61.3%
- Phone
- (907) 262-4944
Resources & Links
District
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 8,499
- Schools in District
- 42
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,862
- District Rank
- #32 of 35
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