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Average

#218 of 412 schools in AK

Tanaina Elementary

Elementary School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

2550 Lucille St, Wasilla, AK 99654

Enrollment

377

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#218 of 412

In Wasilla

#17 of 24

public schools

In district

#27 of 45

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Tanaina Elementary

6.2/10

Elementary School in Wasilla · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Twindly Bridge Charter School

5.0/10

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

Iditarod Elementary

6.3/10

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

About Tanaina Elementary

Tanaina Elementary is a public elementary school in Wasilla, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Tanaina Elementary serves approximately 377 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Tanaina Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #218 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Tanaina Elementary show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • District avg 6.9
  • AK avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Tanaina 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 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,575
Chronic Absenteeism47.7%

Tanaina Elementary — Students at Tanaina Elementary score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 55.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.4% (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
72%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
83%
ELA
88%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
46%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
36%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
36%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
27%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Tanaina Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in AK
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
5.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

2550 Lucille St, Wasilla, AK 99654

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tanaina Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Larson Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John Shaw Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wasilla, see our Wasilla schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Twindly Bridge Charter School Wasilla 0.4 mi 5.0
Iditarod Elementary Wasilla 1.5 mi 6.3
Wasilla High School Wasilla 1.6 mi 4.8
Wasilla Middle School Wasilla 1.8 mi 3.7
Mat-Su Central School Wasilla 2.1 mi 6.5
Burchell High School Wasilla 2.4 mi 5.2
Larson Elementary Wasilla 2.3 mi 7.9
Mat-Su Career & Tech Ed High School Wasilla 3.0 mi 8.2
Teeland Middle School Wasilla 3.0 mi 6.2
Snowshoe Elementary Wasilla 5.6 mi 6.8
Cottonwood Creek Elementary Wasilla 3.3 mi 7.4
Fronteras Charter School Wasilla 3.2 mi 5.3
John Shaw Elementary Wasilla 3.4 mi 7.6
Mat-Su Day School Wasilla 3.4 mi 5.9
Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla 4.0 mi
Knik Charter School Wasilla 4.0 mi
Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla 5.9 mi 8.3
Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla 4.9 mi 7.2
Meadow Lakes Elementary Wasilla 5.5 mi 4.0
Knik Elementary School Wasilla 7.0 mi 7.0

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
Alaska Native Cultural Charter School Anchorage, AK 6.2
Chinook Elementary Anchorage, AK 6.2
Denali Montessori Elementary Anchorage, AK 6.2
Gladys Jung Elementary Bethel, AK 6.3
Iditarod Elementary Wasilla, AK 6.3
Arctic Light Elementary Fort Wainwright, AK 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tanaina Elementary

What grades does Tanaina Elementary serve?

Tanaina Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Tanaina Elementary?

Tanaina Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 377 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tanaina Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Tanaina Elementary is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tanaina Elementary rank in AK?

Tanaina Elementary ranks #218 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Tanaina Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Tanaina Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Tanaina Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Tanaina Elementary has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Tanaina Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Tanaina Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

60.7% of students at Tanaina 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
56 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
377
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.7%

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