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Tanaina Elementary

Summary:

Tanaina Elementary is a public elementary school located in Wasilla, Alaska, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 385. It is part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, which is ranked 8th out of 24 districts in Alaska and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Tanaina Elementary has a more diverse student population compared to the nearby schools, with a higher percentage of Hispanic (9.09%), Native American (9.87%), and students of two or more races (18.7%). However, the school has consistently ranked in the middle range of Alaska elementary schools, with a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger in recent years, lower than the nearby schools like Snowshoe Elementary, Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School, and Larson Elementary. Tanaina Elementary's test scores in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science are generally lower than the district and state averages, and the school has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 56.62% in the 2022-2023 school year.

The higher percentage of Hispanic, Native American, and multi-racial students at Tanaina Elementary suggests a more diverse student population, which could present both challenges and opportunities for the school. Additionally, the school's consistent middle-range ranking, lower test scores, and higher student-teacher ratio compared to nearby schools indicate areas for improvement in academic performance and resource allocation. Addressing these key metrics and findings could be crucial for Tanaina Elementary to provide a more equitable education for its students.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 2550 Lucille St
       Wasilla, AK  99654

(907) 352-9400

District: Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
99th of 173 Alaska Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,334 Help


Students who attend Tanaina Elementary usually attend:

Elementary:    Teeland Middle School
Middle:    Wasilla Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.7 Help
Number of students:  377

Racial breakdown:

White:
62.3%
Two or more races:
20.7%
American Indian:
8.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  60.7% Help


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 Compare Tanaina Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Tanaina Elementary ranks worse than 57.2% of elementary schools in Alaska. It also ranks 21st among 23 ranked elementary schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 45.77. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (62.3%), two or more races (20.7%), American Indian (8.5%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 60.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Tanaina Elementary is 14.7, which is the 8th best among 23 elementary schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Tanaina Elementary employs 25.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Tanaina Elementary is $16,334, which is the 13th highest among 23 elementary schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Tanaina Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Tanaina Elementary 99th of 173 Alaska public elementary schools. (See Tanaina Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
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.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Tanaina Elementary.

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Rank History for Tanaina Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Tanaina Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 47.31 138th 213 35.2%
2006 51.36 132nd 218 39.4%
2007 65.23 90th 212 57.5%
2008 52.08 128th 219 41.6%
2009 67.22 89th 226 60.6%
2010 52.68 130th 229 43.2%
2011 50.12 134th 223 39.9%
2012 69.18 68th 227 70.0%
2013 72.81 55th 223 75.3%
2014 72.88 62nd 218 71.6%
2015 48.11 118th 246 52.0%
2017 47.94 93rd 180 48.3%
2018 57.74 75th 186 59.7%
2019 35.39 124th 185 33.0%
2021 45.43 90th 173 48.0%
2022 31.32 124th 171 27.5%
2023 39.01 110th 176 37.5%
2024 45.77 99th 173 42.8%
See the entire list of Alaska Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Tanaina Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 24.05 62nd 74 16.2%
2024 72.36 15th 68 77.9%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Tanaina Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 23.14 13th 16 18.8%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Tanaina Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 30.66 107th 147 27.2%
2021 41.69 59th 110 46.4%
2022 39.81 60th 104 42.3%
2023 39.40 75th 119 37.0%
2024 46.53 71st 122 41.8%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Tanaina Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 35.36 113th 159 28.9%
2021 39.77 79th 141 44.0%
2022 28.94 107th 143 25.2%
2023 38.03 90th 152 40.8%
2024 41.06 86th 142 39.4%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Military Connected students at Tanaina Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 33.24 15th 20 25.0%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for Male students at Tanaina Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 33.96 109th 159 31.4%
2021 40.86 85th 142 40.1%
2022 33.57 99th 148 33.1%
2023 33.06 105th 148 29.1%
2024 38.91 97th 150 35.3%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Native American students at Tanaina Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 40.03 35th 50 30.0%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Native American Students!

Rank History for White students at Tanaina Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 25.62 121st 147 17.7%
2021 35.35 96th 127 24.4%
2022 15.82 126th 137 8.0%
2023 22.87 117th 138 15.2%
2024 23.88 111th 133 16.5%
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.

Tanaina Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
Help






Data source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, September 1, 2023

Open Quote This school is wonderful I absolutely love taking my children here. The teachers the staff it’s all what my family needs to further progress. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Tanaina Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 510 6 2 10 32 n/a n/a 0 560
1990 547 1 2 12 38 n/a n/a 0 600
1991 534 2 3 5 40 n/a n/a 0 584
1992 504 1 8 10 44 n/a n/a -91 476
1993 513 1 5 7 41 n/a n/a 0 567
1994 484 0 5 7 39 n/a n/a 0 535
1995 502 3 5 10 44 n/a n/a 1 565
1996 502 3 5 10 44 n/a n/a 1 565
1997 490 2 1 11 35 n/a n/a 0 539
1998 495 1 3 7 37 n/a n/a 0 543
1999 472 4 5 10 35 n/a n/a 0 526
2000 472 4 5 14 35 n/a n/a 0 530
2001 472 6 6 14 43 n/a n/a 0 541
2002 431 6 7 6 40 n/a n/a 0 490
2003 431 6 7 6 40 n/a n/a 0 490
2004 432 5 7 6 36 n/a n/a 0 486
2005 422 5 7 8 41 n/a n/a 0 483
2006 433 3 7 5 44 n/a n/a 0 492
2007 353 3 8 5 43 n/a n/a 0 412
2008 314 4 4 6 34 n/a n/a 12 374
2009 278 6 3 5 33 0 10 0 335
2010 330 4 5 10 44 0 15 0 408
2011 333 5 5 12 38 2 10 0 405
2012 294 9 13 12 67 4 0 0 399
2013 306 17 8 9 69 2 0 0 411
2014 324 21 8 8 66 5 0 0 432
2015 335 18 9 7 77 10 0 0 456
2016 322 14 3 10 94 2 27 0 472
2017 292 9 1 10 93 7 20 0 432
2018 289 9 0 6 92 8 19 0 423
2019 271 4 4 9 82 6 25 0 401
2020 230 4 4 37 47 0 60 0 382
2021 192 3 3 31 37 1 59 0 326
2022 217 2 4 39 32 2 59 0 355
2023 233 2 3 35 38 2 72 0 385
2024 235 2 3 25 32 2 78 0 377

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 Tanaina Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 560 23.5 23.8 16.8
1990 600 28.0 21.4 12.5
1991 584 27.5 21.2 16.4
1992 476 27.5 17.3 20.8
1993 567 27.5 20.6 17.5
1994 535 27.5 19.5 18.5
1995 565 29.0 19.5 19.7
1996 565 29.0 19.5 19.7
1997 539 29.0 18.6 23.9
1998 543 31.0 17.5 28.5
1999 526 31.6 16.6 31.6
2000 530 32.0 16.6 34
2001 541 33.0 16.4 36.6
2002 490 32.5 15.1 36.5
2003 490 32.5 15.1 36.5
2004 486 30.6 15.9 44.9
2005 483 29.0 16.7 42.7
2006 492 30.0 16.4 45.9
2007 412 24.6 16.7 32.8
2008 374 23.0 16.3 40.6
2009 335 25.0 13.4 37
2010 408 23.0 17.7 46.6
2011 405 23.0 17.6 47.9
2012 399 22.0 18.1 45.9
2013 411 16.7 24.5 54
2014 432 22.9 18.8 51.6
2015 456 25.0 18.2 49.6
2016 472 29.0 16.2 51.5
2017 432 26.0 16.6 49.5
2018 423 25.5 16.5 64.5
2019 401 25.9 15.4 69.1
2020 382 24.8 15.4 67.3
2021 326 25.2 12.9 n/a
2022 355 24.0 14.7 n/a
2023 385 24.0 16.0 56.6
2024 377 25.5 14.7 60.7

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 Tanaina Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 560 23.5 23.8 16.8
1990 600 28.0 21.4 12.5
1991 584 27.5 21.2 16.4
1992 476 27.5 17.3 20.8
1993 567 27.5 20.6 17.5
1994 535 27.5 19.5 18.5
1995 565 29.0 19.5 19.7
1996 565 29.0 19.5 19.7
1997 539 29.0 18.6 23.9
1998 543 31.0 17.5 28.5
1999 526 31.6 16.6 31.6
2000 530 32.0 16.6 34
2001 541 33.0 16.4 36.6
2002 490 32.5 15.1 36.5
2003 490 32.5 15.1 36.5
2004 486 30.6 15.9 44.9
2005 483 29.0 16.7 42.7
2006 492 30.0 16.4 45.9
2007 412 24.6 16.7 32.8
2008 374 23.0 16.3 40.6
2009 335 25.0 13.4 37
2010 408 23.0 17.7 46.6
2011 405 23.0 17.6 47.9
2012 399 22.0 18.1 45.9
2013 411 16.7 24.5 54
2014 432 22.9 18.8 51.6
2015 456 25.0 18.2 49.6
2016 472 29.0 16.2 51.5
2017 432 26.0 16.6 49.5
2018 423 25.5 16.5 64.5
2019 401 25.9 15.4 69.1
2020 382 24.8 15.4 67.3
2021 326 25.2 12.9 n/a
2022 355 24.0 14.7 n/a
2023 385 24.0 16.0 56.6
2024 377 25.5 14.7 60.7

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 Tanaina Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,666 (10.2%) $14,668 (89.8%) $16,334

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Tanaina 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 124th of 185 Elementary schoolsRanks 110th of 176 Elementary schools
 4.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
All Grades Science (Tanaina Elementary)35.344.4
 9.1%
   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 Students401385
 4%
African American42
 50%
American Indian8238
 53.7%
Asian43
 25%
Hispanic935
 288.9%
Pacific Islander62
 66.7%
White271233
 14%
Two or More Races2572
 188%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients69.1%56.6%
 12.5%

Schools Near Tanaina Elementary








Frequently Asked Questions about Tanaina Elementary

In the 2023-24 school year, 377 students attended Tanaina Elementary.

Tanaina Elementary ranks 99th of 173 Alaska elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Tanaina Elementary are 62% White, 21% Two or more races, 8% American Indian, 7% Hispanic.

Students who attend Tanaina Elementary usually go on to attend:

Elementary : Teeland Middle School
Middle : Wasilla Middle School


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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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