Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District in Alaska encompasses 49 schools, including 27 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 10 high schools, and 9 alternative schools, serving a diverse student population across a wide geographic area. The district as a whole is ranked 8th out of 24 districts in Alaska and is rated 4 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Some of the standout schools in the district include John Shaw Elementary, ranked 15th out of 173 Alaska elementary schools, and Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School, ranked 14th. These schools excel in science and English language arts proficiency, with over 70% of students meeting or exceeding standards. Additionally, Academy Charter School and Midnight Sun Family Learning Center are high-performing elementary schools that outpace the district and state averages. At the high school level, Mat-Su Career & Technical Educational High School stands out, ranking 12th out of 63 Alaska high schools.

However, the district also has a wide range of academic performance, with some schools like Iditarod Elementary and Meadow Lakes Elementary struggling to meet state averages. This achievement gap is likely influenced by socioeconomic factors, as schools with higher percentages of free and reduced lunch recipients tend to have lower academic performance. The district's diverse student population and significant variation in spending per student and student-teacher ratios also suggest potential inequities in resource allocation and staffing that may contribute to these disparities.