Mat-Su Central School

Summary:

Mat-Su Central School is an alternative public school serving grades K-12 in Wasilla, Alaska, part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, which is ranked 8th out of 24 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

Mat-Su Central School consistently outperforms the district and state in academic assessments, with 62.96% of students proficient or better in science and 50% proficient or better in English language arts, compared to lower district and state averages. The school has an extremely low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at only 0.13%, much lower than nearby schools like Valley Pathways (81%) and Mat-Su Day School (36.9%). However, Mat-Su Central School has a very high student-teacher ratio, ranging from 87.5 to 116.8, much higher than the nearby Knik Charter Correspondence School (12.2) and Knik Charter School (18.5).

The consistent academic performance, low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, and high student-teacher ratio at Mat-Su Central School suggest the school is effectively supporting student learning and achievement, but may face challenges in providing personalized attention and support to its large student body. These unique characteristics set Mat-Su Central School apart from the surrounding alternative and charter schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.


Detail:

Public, Virtual, Alternative K-12

 600 E Railroad Ave #6
       Wasilla, AK  99654


(907) 352-7480

District: Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
64th of 173 Alaska Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,093 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  102.3 Help
Number of students:  2,558

Racial breakdown:

White:
74.7%
Two or more races:
13.3%
Hispanic:
5.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  0.1% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Mat-Su Central School ranks better than 63% of elementary schools in Alaska. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 62.31. (See more...)
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Compare Details Mat-Su Central School ranks better than 68.1% of middle schools in Alaska. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 64.6. (See more...)
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Compare Details Mat-Su Central School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 57.03. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Mat-Su Central School has the largest alternative school student body size in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Racial makeup is: White (74.7%), two or more races (13.3%), Hispanic (5.9%). (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Mat-Su Central School is 102.3, which is the highest among 7 alternative schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Mat-Su Central School employs 24.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Mat-Su Central School is $8,093, which is the lowest among 7 alternative schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Mat-Su Central School:

SchoolDigger ranks Mat-Su Central School 64th of 173 Alaska public elementary schools. (See Mat-Su Central School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Mat-Su Central School 29th of 91 Alaska public middle schools. (See Mat-Su Central School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District 8th of 24 Alaska school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Mat-Su Central School

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 58.76 110th 213 48.4%
2006 61.66 107th 218 50.9%
2007 63.14 96th 212 54.7%
2008 63.44 96th 219 56.2%
2009 67.64 85th 226 62.4%
2010 65.41 91st 229 60.3%
2011 68.92 69th 223 69.1%
2012 66.49 81st 227 64.3%
2013 64.46 86th 223 61.4%
2014 58.63 108th 218 50.5%
2015 48.19 117th 246 52.4%
2017 40.44 111th 180 38.3%
2018 41.10 115th 186 38.2%
2019 23.23 151st 185 18.4%
2021 69.18 49th 173 71.7%
2023 55.08 77th 176 56.3%
2024 62.31 64th 173 63.0%
See the entire list of Alaska Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Multi-racial students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 43.57 44th 74 40.5%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 30.65 118th 159 25.8%
2021 56.98 51st 141 63.8%
2023 52.53 68th 152 55.3%
2024 40.11 88th 142 38.0%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 49.12 76th 148 48.6%
2024 68.58 39th 150 74.0%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 13.00 143rd 147 2.7%
2021 56.08 50th 127 60.6%
2023 38.41 92nd 138 33.3%
2024 42.20 83rd 133 37.6%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Mat-Su Central School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 64.96 48th 138 65.2%
2006 66.07 51st 132 61.4%
2007 64.25 50th 128 60.9%
2008 55.18 59th 132 55.3%
2009 64.88 44th 131 66.4%
2010 62.11 56th 136 58.8%
2011 69.83 39th 133 70.7%
2012 69.66 48th 135 64.4%
2013 73.69 39th 136 71.3%
2014 71.11 40th 138 71.0%
2015 57.49 60th 151 60.3%
2017 47.68 47th 88 46.6%
2018 50.51 47th 96 51.0%
2019 42.24 56th 99 43.4%
2021 70.00 19th 84 77.4%
2023 50.37 46th 92 50.0%
2024 64.60 29th 91 68.1%
See the entire list of Alaska Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 65.45 14th 55 74.5%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 52.27 37th 74 50.0%
2023 48.13 34th 66 48.5%
2024 59.41 24th 69 65.2%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 54.36 31st 72 56.9%
2024 60.35 27th 72 62.5%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 28.84 53rd 72 26.4%
2021 55.10 23rd 58 60.3%
2023 39.89 49th 75 34.7%
2024 47.86 40th 74 45.9%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Mat-Su Central School

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Rank History for all high school students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 74.34 35th 116 69.8%
2006 71.58 40th 135 70.4%
2007 80.51 27th 139 80.6%
2008 67.85 46th 151 69.5%
2009 72.01 42nd 151 72.2%
2010 57.20 54th 140 61.4%
2011 66.75 43rd 142 69.7%
2012 68.15 46th 136 66.2%
2013 71.10 40th 148 73.0%
2014 67.05 43rd 139 69.1%
2015 62.07 50th 135 63.0%
2017 48.57 45th 83 45.8%
2018 61.77 27th 74 63.5%
2019 75.12 17th 77 77.9%
2021 74.66 14th 61 77.0%
2023 57.03 25th 62 59.7%
See the entire list of Alaska Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Female students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 58.82 26th 54 51.9%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 71.43 12th 58 79.3%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Mat-Su Central School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 55.12 27th 56 51.8%
2021 53.54 19th 43 55.8%
2023 38.49 31st 47 34.0%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Mat-Su Central School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 










Data source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

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Enrollment information for Mat-Su Central School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 190 0 2 2 14 n/a n/a 0 208
1990 242 0 1 1 19 n/a n/a 0 263
1991 238 1 1 4 20 n/a n/a 0 264
1992 268 2 0 6 40 n/a n/a 0 316
1993 272 0 1 1 22 n/a n/a 0 296
1994 343 2 2 1 29 n/a n/a 0 377
1995 419 4 1 5 39 n/a n/a 6 474
1996 419 4 1 5 39 n/a n/a 6 474
1997 558 3 3 10 54 n/a n/a 0 628
1998 469 4 4 6 43 n/a n/a 0 526
1999 416 2 4 3 45 n/a n/a 0 470
2000 392 4 7 6 48 n/a n/a 0 457
2001 388 6 2 6 45 n/a n/a 0 447
2002 505 8 9 10 55 n/a n/a 0 587
2003 505 8 9 10 55 n/a n/a 0 587
2004 691 5 10 16 54 n/a n/a 0 776
2005 886 8 11 17 67 n/a n/a 0 989
2006 899 7 14 21 90 n/a n/a 0 1031
2007 871 12 12 25 83 n/a n/a 0 1003
2008 961 9 15 25 101 n/a n/a 27 1138
2009 987 14 18 24 104 3 22 0 1172
2010 1054 8 18 17 102 4 31 0 1234
2011 1009 13 31 17 107 4 14 0 1195
2012 1036 27 47 29 183 11 0 0 1333
2013 1151 23 40 40 206 16 1 0 1477
2014 1129 22 47 54 225 19 0 0 1496
2015 1178 40 63 62 233 23 0 0 1599
2016 1168 19 37 50 161 24 91 0 1550
2017 1212 19 25 50 172 25 109 0 1612
2018 1320 15 17 42 168 25 111 0 1698
2019 1202 14 14 32 157 18 85 0 1522
2020 1333 7 19 103 111 16 197 0 1786
2021 2141 28 24 160 148 14 318 0 2833
2022 1618 23 25 123 109 11 236 0 2145
2023 1710 21 20 147 100 10 246 0 2254
2024 1910 24 26 150 104 3 341 0 2558

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Mat-Su Central School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 208 8.0 26.0 0
1990 263 7.0 37.5 n/a
1991 264 7.5 35.2 n/a
1992 316 7.5 42.1 n/a
1993 296 7.5 39.5 n/a
1994 377 7.5 50.3 n/a
1995 474 9.0 52.7 0
1996 474 9.0 52.7 0
1997 628 9.0 69.8 0
1998 526 9.0 58.4 0
1999 470 10.0 47.0 11.9
2000 457 9.0 50.8 n/a
2001 447 11.0 40.6 n/a
2002 587 11.0 53.4 n/a
2003 587 11.0 53.4 n/a
2004 776 10.0 77.6 n/a
2005 989 11.0 89.9 n/a
2006 1031 10.0 103.1 n/a
2007 1003 10.0 100.3 n/a
2008 1138 8.2 138.8 0
2009 1172 10.8 108.5 0
2010 1234 12.2 101.1 0
2011 1195 13.4 88.7 0
2012 1333 11.9 111.2 0
2013 1477 5.7 255.5 0
2014 1496 16.3 91.2 0
2015 1599 19.0 84.1 0
2016 1550 37.0 41.8 0
2017 1612 21.7 74.1 0.2
2018 1698 21.0 80.7 0.2
2019 1522 22.8 66.5 0.2
2020 1786 6.3 283.4 0.2
2021 2833 24.2 116.8 n/a
2022 2145 24.4 87.5 n/a
2023 2254 23.4 95.9 0.1
2024 2558 24.9 102.3 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Mat-Su Central School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 208 8.0 26.0 0
1990 263 7.0 37.5 n/a
1991 264 7.5 35.2 n/a
1992 316 7.5 42.1 n/a
1993 296 7.5 39.5 n/a
1994 377 7.5 50.3 n/a
1995 474 9.0 52.7 0
1996 474 9.0 52.7 0
1997 628 9.0 69.8 0
1998 526 9.0 58.4 0
1999 470 10.0 47.0 11.9
2000 457 9.0 50.8 n/a
2001 447 11.0 40.6 n/a
2002 587 11.0 53.4 n/a
2003 587 11.0 53.4 n/a
2004 776 10.0 77.6 n/a
2005 989 11.0 89.9 n/a
2006 1031 10.0 103.1 n/a
2007 1003 10.0 100.3 n/a
2008 1138 8.2 138.8 0
2009 1172 10.8 108.5 0
2010 1234 12.2 101.1 0
2011 1195 13.4 88.7 0
2012 1333 11.9 111.2 0
2013 1477 5.7 255.5 0
2014 1496 16.3 91.2 0
2015 1599 19.0 84.1 0
2016 1550 37.0 41.8 0
2017 1612 21.7 74.1 0.2
2018 1698 21.0 80.7 0.2
2019 1522 22.8 66.5 0.2
2020 1786 6.3 283.4 0.2
2021 2833 24.2 116.8 n/a
2022 2145 24.4 87.5 n/a
2023 2254 23.4 95.9 0.1
2024 2558 24.9 102.3 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Mat-Su Central School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $260 (3.2%) $7,833 (96.8%) $8,093

Data source: Alaska Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Mat-Su Central School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 151st of 185 Elementary schoolsRanks 77th of 176 Elementary schools
 37.9%
Ranks 56th of 99 Middle schoolsRanks 46th of 92 Middle schools
 6.6%
Ranks 17th of 77 High schoolsRanks 25th of 62 High schools
 18.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
All Grades Science (Mat-Su Central School)77.457.1
 20.3%
   All Grades Science (Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District)5146.5
 4.5%
   All Grades Science (Alaska)44.736.9
 7.7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students15222254
 48.1%
African American1421
 50%
American Indian157100
 36.3%
Asian1420
 42.9%
Hispanic32147
 359.4%
Pacific Islander1810
 44.4%
White12021710
 42.3%
Two or More Races85246
 189.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients0.2%0.1%
 0.1%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Mat-Su Central School

In the 2023-24 school year, 2,558 students attended Mat-Su Central School.

Students at Mat-Su Central School are 75% White, 13% Two or more races, 6% Hispanic, 4% American Indian, 1% Asian.

Mat-Su Central School ranks 64th of 173 Alaska alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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