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#246 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

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wasilla

#11 of 24

public schools

Alaska elementary schools

#93 of 165

In district

#26 of 45

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Tanaina Elementary

Tanaina Elementary is a regular public school in Wasilla, Alaska, nestled in a small suburban area. Serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 377 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, ensuring a supportive learning environment. The school’s academic performance places it at the 55th percentile in Alaska, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10.

Test scores show that 27% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 22% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas for continued academic growth. Tanaina Elementary is situated in a neighborhood with a median household income of $88,875 and a median home value of $318,900. The area has a low poverty rate of 10%, and about one-quarter of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher.

This setting provides a community that values education and supports the school's efforts to nurture young minds. Tanaina Elementary stands in a vibrant suburban community where families and educators work together to foster a strong educational foundation for its students.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,171

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 35.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.3%
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
41%
ELA
36%
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: 5.3/10.

How Tanaina Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
41th percentile in AK
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

2550 Lucille St, Wasilla, AK 99654

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tanaina Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fronteras Charter School (rated 8.0/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Snowshoe Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Larson Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly 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 3.9
Iditarod Elementary Wasilla 1.5 mi 4.4
Wasilla High School Wasilla 1.6 mi 5.0
Wasilla Middle School Wasilla 1.8 mi 5.5
Mat-Su Central School Wasilla 2.1 mi 8.0
Burchell High School Wasilla 2.4 mi 5.3
Larson Elementary Wasilla 2.3 mi 6.8
Mat-Su Career & Tech Ed High School Wasilla 3.0 mi 6.5
Teeland Middle School Wasilla 3.0 mi 4.2
Snowshoe Elementary Wasilla 5.6 mi 7.4
Cottonwood Creek Elementary Wasilla 3.3 mi 5.3
Fronteras Charter School Wasilla 3.2 mi 8.0
John Shaw Elementary Wasilla 3.4 mi 5.4
Mat-Su Day School Wasilla 3.4 mi 6.0
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 5.2
Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla 4.9 mi 4.0
Meadow Lakes Elementary Wasilla 5.5 mi 6.7
Knik Elementary School Wasilla 7.0 mi 4.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tanaina Elementary has a median household income of $93,739. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $342,200, with a median rent of $1,233/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Alaska Native Cultural Charter School Anchorage, AK 5.9
Dena'ina Elementary School Wasilla, AK 6.1
Mountain View Elementary Anchorage, AK 5.9
Mt. View Elementary Kenai, AK 6.1
North Pole Elementary North Pole, AK 5.9
Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer, AK 6.1

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 is ranked #246 out of 412 schools in AK.

What is Tanaina Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Tanaina Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Tanaina Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tanaina Elementary has 35.0% math proficiency and 33.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (2,881/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wasilla). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
District Enrollment
19,421
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,575
District Rank
#26 of 45

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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