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Excellent

#4 of 412 schools in AK

Top 1% in state

Turnagain Elementary

Elementary School · Anchorage School District

3500 W Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99517

Enrollment

296

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Anchorage

#2 of 78

public schools

Alaska elementary schools

#3 of 165

In district

#2 of 93

Anchorage School District

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Turnagain Elementary

Turnagain Elementary is a public elementary school in Anchorage, AK, part of the Anchorage School District. The school serves approximately 296 students in grades Pre-K – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 99.3th percentile among AK schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 45% proficiency in math and 48% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $99,307, where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large city setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+20.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,200

Turnagain Elementary — Students at Turnagain Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
41%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
47%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Turnagain Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
99th percentile in AK
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

3500 W Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99517

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Turnagain Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aquarian Charter School (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is North Star Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Chugach Optional Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Anchorage, see our Anchorage schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Lake Hood Elementary Anchorage 0.6 mi 6.8
ANCHORAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Anchorage 1.5 mi 4.5
Northwood ABC Anchorage 1.5 mi 6.3
Aquarian Charter School Anchorage 1.1 mi 7.8
West High School Anchorage 1.1 mi 6.9
Romig Middle School Anchorage 1.1 mi 6.1
Gladys Wood Elementary Anchorage 2.6 mi 6.9
Sand Lake Elementary Anchorage 2.9 mi 5.9
Kincaid Elementary Anchorage 2.7 mi 6.7
Inlet View Elementary Anchorage 1.8 mi 6.8
HOLY ROSARY ACADEMY Anchorage 1.6 mi 7.8
Willow Crest Elementary Anchorage 1.8 mi 5.0
LUMEN CHRISTI HIGH SCHOOL Anchorage 3.3 mi 7.0
Dimond High School Anchorage 3.6 mi 4.9
Chinook Elementary Anchorage 3.6 mi 5.3
North Star Elementary Anchorage 1.9 mi 7.3
Steller Secondary School Anchorage 1.8 mi 5.0
AKChoice K-12 Learning Anchorage 2.2 mi 9.0
Frontier Charter School Anchorage 1.9 mi 5.7
Chugach Optional Elementary Anchorage 2.2 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99517 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$99,307

Median Home Value

$365,300

Median Rent

$1,364/mo

Population

16,567

College Educated

40.5%

Homeownership

60.4%

Avg Commute

16.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

38.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Turnagain Elementary has a median household income of $99,307. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $365,300, with a median rent of $1,364/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
Houghtaling Elementary Ketchikan, AK 8.3
Fronteras Charter School Wasilla, AK 8.0
Aquarian Charter School Anchorage, AK 7.8
Bear Valley Elementary Anchorage, AK 7.8
Huffman Elementary Anchorage, AK 7.8
Birchwood ABC Elementary Eagle River, AK 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Turnagain Elementary

What grades does Turnagain Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Turnagain Elementary?

Turnagain Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 296 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Turnagain Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Turnagain Elementary is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Turnagain Elementary rank in AK?

Turnagain Elementary is ranked #4 out of 412 schools in AK.

What is Turnagain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Turnagain Elementary has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Turnagain Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Turnagain Elementary has 45.0% math proficiency and 47.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Turnagain Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Turnagain Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

43.6% of students at Turnagain 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
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
23 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,811/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
296
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Anchorage Municipality
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Anchorage School District
District Enrollment
43,363
Schools in District
94
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,636
District Rank
#2 of 93

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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