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
Enrollment
124
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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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 6 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: 3.7/10.
How Sterling Elementary Compares
See how Sterling Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 17% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (907) 262-4944
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 8,499
- Schools in District
- 42
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,862
- District Rank
- #25 of 35
Other Schools in This District
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.
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