Is Larson Elementary a good school?

Larson Elementary ranks 25 th of 173 Alaska elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Larson Elementary?

In the 2023-24 school year, 354 students attended Larson Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Larson Elementary?

Students at Larson Elementary are 62% White, 14% Two or more races, 11% American Indian, 10% Hispanic, 1% African American, 1% Asian, 1% Pacific Islander.

What schools do graduates of Larson Elementary attend?

Students who attend Larson Elementary usually go on to attend: Elementary : Teeland Middle School High : Colony High School

Larson Elementary

Summary:

Larson Elementary is a public elementary school in Wasilla, Alaska, serving 369 students in grades PK-5. It is 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.

Larson Elementary consistently ranks among the top 25-75 elementary schools in Alaska, with a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school outperformed the district and state averages in several key areas, including 63.33% proficiency in science, 50.6% in English Language Arts, and 53.57% in mathematics. The school also has a diverse student population, with a higher percentage of non-White students compared to nearby schools like Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary and John Shaw Elementary. However, Larson Elementary also has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 42.28%.

Despite these socioeconomic factors, Larson Elementary's strong academic performance is a testament to the dedication and effectiveness of the school's staff and leadership. The school's focus on equity and inclusion, coupled with its consistently high rankings, make it a valuable asset to the Wasilla community. While some nearby schools, such as Finger Lake Elementary and Tanaina Elementary, have lower academic performance, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District as a whole is providing a high-quality education to its students.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

2722 E Seldon Rd
Wasilla, AK 99654

(907) 352-2300

District: Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
25^th of 173 Alaska Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $17,109

Students who attend Larson Elementary usually attend:

Elementary:	Teeland Middle School
High:	Colony High School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.8

Number of students: 354

Racial breakdown:

White:

61.6%

Two or more races:

14.4%

American Indian:

11.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 40.4%

See top rated Alaska elementary schools

Compare Larson Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Larson Elementary ranks better than 85.5% of elementary schools in Alaska. It also ranks 4^th among 23 ranked elementary schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 77.99. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (61.6%), two or more races (14.4%), American Indian (11%). (See more...)

Compare Details 40.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Larson Elementary is 13.8, which is the 7^th best among 23 elementary schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. (See more...)

Compare Larson Elementary employs 25.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Larson Elementary is $17,109, which is the 9^th highest among 23 elementary schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Larson Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Larson Elementary 25^th of 173 Alaska public elementary schools. (See Larson Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Multi-racial students:

Special Education students:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

White students:

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District:

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

Average Parent Rating:

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Your rating for Larson Elementary?

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Rank History for Larson Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Larson Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile
2005	66.04	87^th	213	59.2%
2006	82.61	19^th	218	91.3%
2007	84.06	12^th	212	94.3%
2008	80.19	23^rd	219	89.5%
2009	76.90	40^th	226	82.3%
2010	70.19	76^th	229	66.8%
2011	69.47	66^th	223	70.4%
2012	63.58	90^th	227	60.4%
2013	66.84	78^th	223	65.0%
2014	76.29	44^th	218	79.8%
2015	62.90	82^nd	246	66.7%
2017	69.95	42^nd	180	76.7%
2018	75.04	37^th	186	80.1%
2019	61.12	69^th	185	62.7%
2021	78.45	27^th	173	84.4%
2022	52.64	74^th	171	56.7%
2023	74.65	31^st	176	82.4%
2024	77.99	25^th	173	85.5%

See the entire list of Alaska Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Larson Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile
2021	76.63	8^th	45	82.2%
2022	86.00	5^th	58	91.4%
2023	29.16	59^th	74	20.3%
2024	77.95	9^th	68	86.8%

See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Larson Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2019	38.20	17^th	26	34.6%
2024	34.29	18^th	27	33.3%

See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Larson Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile
2019	69.28	38^th	147	74.1%
2021	83.08	12^th	110	89.1%
2022	59.22	33^rd	104	68.3%
2023	68.14	31^st	119	73.9%
2024	55.54	55^th	122	54.9%

See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Migrant students at Larson Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile
2019	38.46	16^th	24	33.3%
2022	64.93	7^th	15	53.3%
2023	68.36	7^th	30	76.7%

See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Migrant Students!

Rank History for Female students at Larson Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile
2019	65.09	58^th	159	63.5%
2021	82.81	17^th	141	87.9%
2022	45.77	69^th	143	51.7%
2023	78.79	21^st	152	86.2%
2024	83.59	13^th	142	90.8%

See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Larson Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile
2019	55.67	68^th	159	57.2%
2021	67.09	43^rd	142	69.7%
2022	48.65	71^st	148	52.0%
2023	65.84	42^nd	148	71.6%
2024	63.52	50^th	150	66.7%

See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Native American students at Larson Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2019	77.34	7^th	50	86.0%

See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Native American Students!

Rank History for White students at Larson Elementary

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AK State Percentile
2019	51.27	70^th	147	52.4%
2021	65.54	35^th	127	72.4%
2022	37.93	93^rd	137	32.1%
2023	71.66	33^rd	138	76.1%
2024	72.27	23^rd	133	82.7%

See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary 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.

Data source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Larson Elementary

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2002	374	1	3	19	49	n/a	n/a	0	446
2003	374	1	3	19	49	n/a	n/a	0	446
2004	434	5	3	20	56	n/a	n/a	0	518
2005	477	5	5	15	72	n/a	n/a	0	574
2006	414	6	3	13	56	n/a	n/a	0	492
2007	314	5	1	17	45	n/a	n/a	0	382
2008	315	3	1	20	39	n/a	n/a	11	389
2009	228	8	4	13	34	0	7	0	294
2010	279	10	3	13	34	1	7	0	347
2011	285	12	3	7	45	1	4	0	357
2012	297	14	4	10	71	0	0	0	396
2013	306	8	6	9	63	0	0	0	392
2014	293	9	6	12	72	2	0	0	394
2015	281	10	11	10	71	4	0	0	387
2016	297	5	6	5	58	8	15	0	394
2017	305	4	2	7	66	6	26	0	416
2018	276	3	1	8	71	7	26	0	392
2019	294	2	0	4	70	8	30	0	408
2020	294	3	2	35	50	0	49	0	433
2021	216	2	1	30	36	0	44	0	329
2022	243	3	3	39	44	4	48	0	384
2023	228	3	3	34	47	4	50	0	369
2024	218	4	4	34	39	4	51	0	354

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 Larson Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2002	446	26.0	17.2	26.9
2003	446	26.0	17.2	26.9
2004	518	27.0	19.2	22.6
2005	574	29.5	19.5	26.7
2006	492	28.0	17.6	24.6
2007	382	24.1	15.9	25.1
2008	389	22.0	17.7	23.5
2009	294	20.7	14.2	23.1
2010	347	24.0	14.4	32.6
2011	357	24.0	14.8	38.4
2012	396	22.5	17.6	38.4
2013	392	17.3	22.6	37.5
2014	394	22.9	17.1	43.7
2015	387	23.0	16.8	37.2
2016	394	27.0	14.5	41.1
2017	416	25.0	16.6	41.3
2018	392	26.0	15.0	44.4
2019	408	25.7	15.8	48
2020	433	25.1	17.2	41.8
2021	329	24.3	13.5	n/a
2022	384	25.0	15.3	n/a
2023	369	24.0	15.3	42.3
2024	354	25.5	13.8	40.4

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 Larson Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2002	446	26.0	17.2	26.9
2003	446	26.0	17.2	26.9
2004	518	27.0	19.2	22.6
2005	574	29.5	19.5	26.7
2006	492	28.0	17.6	24.6
2007	382	24.1	15.9	25.1
2008	389	22.0	17.7	23.5
2009	294	20.7	14.2	23.1
2010	347	24.0	14.4	32.6
2011	357	24.0	14.8	38.4
2012	396	22.5	17.6	38.4
2013	392	17.3	22.6	37.5
2014	394	22.9	17.1	43.7
2015	387	23.0	16.8	37.2
2016	394	27.0	14.5	41.1
2017	416	25.0	16.6	41.3
2018	392	26.0	15.0	44.4
2019	408	25.7	15.8	48
2020	433	25.1	17.2	41.8
2021	329	24.3	13.5	n/a
2022	384	25.0	15.3	n/a
2023	369	24.0	15.3	42.3
2024	354	25.5	13.8	40.4

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 Larson Elementary

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$2,245 (13.1%)	$14,863 (86.9%)	$17,109

Data source: Alaska Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Larson Elementary

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 69^th of 185 Elementary schools	Ranks 31^st of 176 Elementary schools	19.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
All Grades Science (Larson Elementary)	53.3	59.4	6%
All Grades Science (Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District)	51	46.5	4.5%
All Grades Science (Alaska)	44.7	36.9	7.7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	408	369	9.6%
African American	2	3	50%
American Indian	70	47	32.9%
Asian	0	3
Hispanic	4	34	750%
Pacific Islander	8	4	50%
White	294	228	22.4%
Two or More Races	30	50	66.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	48%	42.3%	5.8%

Schools Near Larson Elementary

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				STAR English Language Arts (2024)							STAR Mathematics (2024)							ASA Science (2024)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	STAR English Language Arts 3rd Grade	STAR English Language Arts 4th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 5th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 6th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 7th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 8th Grade	STAR English Language Arts All Grades	STAR Mathematics 3rd Grade	STAR Mathematics 4th Grade	STAR Mathematics 5th Grade	STAR Mathematics 6th Grade	STAR Mathematics 7th Grade	STAR Mathematics 8th Grade	STAR Mathematics All Grades	ASA Science 5th Grade	ASA Science 8th Grade	ASA Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Larson Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2722 E Seldon Rd	Wasilla	99654	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 352-2300	354	26	13.8	40.4%	218 (61.6%)	4 (1.1%)	34 (9.6%)	4 (1.1%)	39 (11.0%)	4 (1.1%)	51 (14.4%)	78	25^th of 173 public elementary schools	85.5%		74.7	31^st of 176 public elementary schools	82.4%	6	38.3	48.4	62.7				50.6	48.9	46.8	64.4				53.6	63.3		63.3	$17,109	$2,245	$14,863
Teeland Middle School	Public	PK, KG-8	2788 N Seward Meridian Pkwy	Wasilla	99654	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	No	(907) 352-7500	657	37	17.7	36.7%	443 (67.4%)	3 (0.5%)	58 (8.8%)	6 (0.9%)	48 (7.3%)	8 (1.2%)	91 (13.9%)								(n/a)				41.8	37.6	30.2	36.8				47.4	40.0	42.0	43.2		39.1	39.1	$13,334	$1,054	$12,280
Fronteras Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	2315 N Seward Meridian Pky	Wasilla	99654	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	Yes	No	No	No	(907) 376-2223	347	18	19.2		207 (59.7%)	2 (0.6%)	88 (25.4%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.7%)	3 (0.9%)	41 (11.8%)	58.9	75^th of 173 public elementary schools	56.6%		68.8	44^th of 176 public elementary schools	75.0%	31	31.8	46.0	50.0	48.3	46.2	33.3	42.8	27.9	42.1	42.9	46.4	50.0	46.7	41.2	67.7	60.0	65.3	$14,531	$114	$14,417
John Shaw Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3750 E Paradise Ln	Wasilla	99654	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 352-0500	483	30	15.8	41.6%	375 (77.6%)	5 (1.0%)	28 (5.8%)	3 (0.6%)	27 (5.6%)	1 (0.2%)	44 (9.1%)	85.4	15^th of 173 public elementary schools	91.3%		70.5	42^nd of 176 public elementary schools	76.1%	27	48.6	41.1	62.2				51.5	66.2	46.5	72.2				62.5	78.0		78.0	$13,883	$843	$13,040
Cottonwood Creek Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	800 N Seward Meridian	Wasilla	99654	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 864-2100	428	27	15.8	40.0%	292 (68.2%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (6.1%)	3 (0.7%)	20 (4.7%)	1 (0.2%)	86 (20.1%)	63.6	61^st of 173 public elementary schools	64.7%		63.3	55^th of 176 public elementary schools	68.8%	6	35.4	43.5	42.4				40.5	40.9	49.3	51.5				47.3	57.4		57.4	$14,532	$972	$13,560
Tanaina Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2550 Lucille St	Wasilla	99654	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 352-9400	377	26	14.7	60.7%	235 (62.3%)	2 (0.5%)	25 (6.6%)	3 (0.8%)	32 (8.5%)	2 (0.5%)	78 (20.7%)	45.8	99^th of 173 public elementary schools	42.8%		39	110^th of 176 public elementary schools	37.5%	11	27.6	32.1	46.5				36.3	36.2	32.1	35.2				34.6	54.1		54.1	$16,334	$1,666	$14,668
Iditarod Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	455 E Carpenter Cir	Wasilla	99654	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 352-9100	416	25	16.6	65.6%	246 (59.1%)	1 (0.2%)	44 (10.6%)	8 (1.9%)	29 (7.0%)	0 (0.0%)	88 (21.2%)	35.9	115^th of 173 public elementary schools	33.5%		30.1	128^th of 176 public elementary schools	27.3%	13	17.6	20.7	42.4				26.2	29.7	21.1	48.3				32.8	55.9		55.9	$17,072	$3,548	$13,525
Finger Lake Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5981 Eek St	Wasilla	99654	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 864-2200	402	27	14.9	41.5%	262 (65.2%)	3 (0.7%)	38 (9.5%)	3 (0.7%)	25 (6.2%)	0 (0.0%)	71 (17.7%)	47.8	96^th of 173 public elementary schools	44.5%		55.5	75^th of 176 public elementary schools	57.4%	21	24.6	29.9	53.6				36.3	33.9	30.9	46.4				37.1	53.5		53.5	$13,619	$1,424	$12,195
Birchtree Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	1675 N Nadina St.	Palmer	99645	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	Yes	No	No	No	(907) 745-1831	407	22	18.8		315 (77.4%)	1 (0.2%)	16 (3.9%)	1 (0.2%)	21 (5.2%)	1 (0.2%)	52 (12.8%)	67.9	50^th of 173 public elementary schools	71.1%		63.2	56^th of 176 public elementary schools	68.2%	6	37.0	28.6	61.2	55.3	67.9	45.8	48.5	56.5	34.2	57.1	39.5	75.0	62.5	52.7	68.8	56.0	64.4	$16,733	$116	$16,617
Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4961 E Nelson Rd	Wasilla	99654	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	No	(907) 864-2300	476	27	17.3	23.3%	313 (65.8%)	2 (0.4%)	39 (8.2%)	6 (1.3%)	21 (4.4%)	3 (0.6%)	92 (19.3%)	87.7	14^th of 173 public elementary schools	91.9%		83	17^th of 176 public elementary schools	90.3%	3	47.4	52.4	58.8				53.1	69.2	58.5	59.8				62.4	75.0		75.0	$14,038	$875	$13,163

Larson Elementary

Larson Elementary:

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District:

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Larson Elementary

Rank History for all students at Larson Elementary

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Larson Elementary

Rank History for Special Education students at Larson Elementary

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Larson Elementary

Rank History for Migrant students at Larson Elementary

Rank History for Female students at Larson Elementary

Rank History for Male students at Larson Elementary

Rank History for Native American students at Larson Elementary

Rank History for White students at Larson Elementary

Review counts

Enrollment information for Larson Elementary

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Larson Elementary

Student/Teacher Ratio Larson Elementary

Per Pupil Expenditures for Larson Elementary

Impact of COVID-19 on Larson Elementary

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Larson Elementary

Frequently Asked Questions about Larson Elementary

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