Skip to main content

Average

#212 of 412 schools in AK

Tustumena Elementary

Elementary School · Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

PO Box 749, Kasilof, AK 99610

Enrollment

132

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska elementary schools

#79 of 165

In district

#16 of 35

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Academic performance

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Tustumena Elementary

Tustumena Elementary serves 132 students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in the small community of Kasilof, Alaska. This regular public school maintains an intimate learning environment with a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio and 10 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention in each classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking impressively at 27th out of 413 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 94th percentile.

Students show solid achievement in English Language Arts with 47% scoring proficient or above, while mathematics presents opportunities for growth with 37% reaching proficiency. The school's overall academic score of 8.6 reflects its commitment to educational excellence despite its remote location. Tustumena Elementary draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $48,947 and home values average $240,300.

About 27% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 20.8% of families experience poverty, creating a mixed socioeconomic environment that the school serves with dedication. Located in Alaska's remote rural landscape on the Kenai Peninsula, Tustumena Elementary provides quality education in one of the state's most scenic and naturally rich areas, where students learn surrounded by Alaska's wilderness beauty.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 132 students, Tustumena 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, Tustumena 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+14.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,242

Tustumena Elementary — Students at Tustumena Elementary score 42% 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

41.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
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
57%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
37%
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: 4.1/10.

How Tustumena Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in AK
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

PO Box 749, Kasilof, AK 99610

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tustumena Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Soldotna Montessori Charter School (rated 7.8/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Soldotna), which scores notably higher. Another option is Soldotna Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Soldotna), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Aurora Borealis Charter School (rated 6.7/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Kenai), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Kasilof, see our Kasilof schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.1 mi
School Distance Rating
WINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kenai 14.4 mi 7.0
Kalifornsky Beach Elementary Soldotna 13.1 mi 5.7
COOK INLET ACADEMY Soldotna 12.4 mi 6.9
Skyview Middle School Soldotna 11.8 mi 5.2
River City Academy Soldotna 11.8 mi 7.3
Redoubt Elementary Soldotna 13.7 mi 4.6
Kenai Alternative High School Kenai 17.0 mi 7.2
Aurora Borealis Charter School Kenai 17.0 mi 6.7
Soldotna High School Soldotna 14.0 mi 3.4
Kenai Central High School Kenai 17.6 mi 4.1
Kaleidoscope School of Arts & Science Kenai 18.0 mi 6.5
Marathon School Kenai 17.9 mi
Kenai Middle School Kenai 17.7 mi 5.6
Soldotna Montessori Charter School Soldotna 14.3 mi 7.8
Connections Soldotna 14.3 mi 5.3
Soldotna Elementary Soldotna 14.4 mi 7.0
Mt. View Elementary Kenai 18.1 mi 6.1
Nikiski North Star Elementary Kenai 24.4 mi 4.9
Nikiski Middle/Senior High School Nikiski 29.5 mi 5.1
Ninilchik School Ninilchik 23.1 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99610 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,125

Median Home Value

$246,200

Median Rent

$1,630/mo

Population

2,307

College Educated

26.1%

Homeownership

79.8%

Avg Commute

27.3 min

Poverty Rate

22.5%

Median Age

49.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tustumena Elementary has a median household income of $58,125. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $246,200, with a median rent of $1,630/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Willow Elementary Willow, AK 6.3
Haines Elementary Haines, AK 6.4
McNeil Canyon Elementary Homer, AK 6.1
Talkeetna Elementary Talkeetna, AK 6.6
Chinook Montessori Charter School Fairbanks, AK 5.8
ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON SCHOOL Anchorage, AK 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tustumena Elementary

What grades does Tustumena Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Tustumena Elementary?

Tustumena Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 132 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tustumena Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Tustumena Elementary is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tustumena Elementary rank in AK?

Tustumena Elementary is ranked #212 out of 412 schools in AK.

What is Tustumena Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Tustumena Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Tustumena Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tustumena Elementary has 42.0% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tustumena Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Tustumena Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

41.7% of students at Tustumena 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
132
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
District Enrollment
8,499
Schools in District
42
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,862
District Rank
#16 of 35

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.