Excellent
#44 of 412 schools in AK
Top 10% in state
Willow Elementary
Elementary School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
PO Box 69, Willow, AK 99688
Enrollment
119
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
119
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alaska schools
#44 of 412
In Willow
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#3 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Academic performance
9.1 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Willow Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Willow Elementary
Elementary School in Willow · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Beryozova School
4.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Big Lake Elementary
15.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Willow Elementary
Willow Elementary is a public elementary school in Willow, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Willow Elementary serves approximately 119 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Willow Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #44 of 412 schools in AK.
Structured state assessment records for Willow Elementary show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- District avg 6.9
- AK avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 119 students, Willow Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Willow Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
62% of students at Willow 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Willow Elementary — Students at Willow Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 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: 8.4/10.
How Willow Elementary Compares
See how Willow Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 69, Willow, AK 99688
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Willow Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eagle Academy Charter School (rated 9.2/10, 33.0 miles away, in nearby Eagle River), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Dena'ina Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Wasilla), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ursa Minor Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 36.2 miles away, in nearby Jber), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Willow, see our Willow schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 34.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Beryozova School Willow | 4.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Big Lake Elementary Big Lake | 15.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Houston Middle School Big Lake | 14.0 mi | 3.1 |
| Houston High School Houston | 13.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Susitna Valley High Talkeetna | 26.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Joe Redington Senior Jr/Sr High School Wasilla | 20.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Dena'ina Elementary School Wasilla | 20.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Midnight Sun Family Learning Center Wasilla | 16.8 mi | 7.2 |
| American Charter Academy Wasilla | 17.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Meadow Lakes Elementary Wasilla | 16.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Goose Bay Elementary Wasilla | 19.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Knik Elementary School Wasilla | 19.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Ursa Minor Elementary Jber | 36.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Distance Learning/Corresp. Ctr. Eagle River | 32.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Eagle Academy Charter School Eagle River | 33.0 mi | 9.2 |
| Eagle River Elementary Eagle River | 33.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Fire Lake Elementary Eagle River | 32.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Eagle River High School Eagle River | 34.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Homestead Elementary Eagle River | 33.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Gruening Middle School Eagle River | 34.3 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99688 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,907
Median Home Value
$266,700
Median Rent
$1,331/mo
Population
2,542
College Educated
25.2%
Homeownership
90.3%
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Median Age
47.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| McNeil Canyon Elementary Homer, AK | 8.0 |
| Tongass School of Arts and Sciences Charter School Ketchikan, AK | 8.4 |
| Juneau Community Charter School Juneau, AK | 7.9 |
| Soldotna Montessori Charter School Soldotna, AK | 8.5 |
| Baranof Elementary Sitka, AK | 7.7 |
| Evergreen Elementary Wrangell, AK | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Willow Elementary
What grades does Willow Elementary serve?
Willow Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Willow Elementary?
Willow Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 119 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Willow Elementary is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Willow Elementary rank in AK?
Willow Elementary ranks #44 of 412 schools in AK.
What is Willow Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Willow Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Willow Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Willow Elementary has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Willow Elementary a charter school?
No, Willow Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Willow Elementary a Title I school?
No, Willow Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willow Elementary?
77.3% of students at Willow 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 119
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 62.2%
- Phone
- (907) 495-9300
Resources & Links
District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 19,421
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,575
- District Rank
- #3 of 45
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateGet 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.