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John Shaw Elementary

Q: Is John Shaw Elementary a good school?

John Shaw Elementary ranks 18 th of 166 Alaska elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

18^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 166 Alaska Elementary Schools

Better than 89% of Alaska elementary schools

Summary

John Shaw Elementary is a PK-5 public school in Wasilla, Alaska, serving 507 students in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. The school ranks 18th out of 166 Alaska elementary schools (89th percentile, 4 stars) in 2025-2026, a slight dip from its #8 ranking the prior year. John Shaw serves a moderate-poverty population, with 41.2% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Among nearby elementary schools, John Shaw ranks first overall, edging out Fronteras Charter School (22nd), Pioneer Peak Elementary (24th), and Finger Lake Elementary (26th).

John Shaw's clear signature strength is mathematics. Its 67.61% math proficiency rate is the highest among all nearby schools and more than double the state average of 32.20%. By 5th grade, an impressive 80.56% of students are proficient in math. Science is also exceptional, with 74.32% proficiency versus about 37.81% statewide. English language arts is solidly above average at 51.37%, though less dominant. The school also stands out for its effectiveness with low-income and migrant students, earning #1 rankings in the state for both groups—a sign of strong equity alongside achievement.

John Shaw achieves these results with mid-range spending of $13,883 per student, notably less than nearby schools such as Larson Elementary and Tanaina Elementary, which spend more yet rank much lower. The school is not uniformly strong in every area, however: performance for multi-racial students and special education students trails the school's overall outcomes, suggesting room for more targeted attention. Families should also be aware of a transition gap—John Shaw sends 5th graders off with 80.56% math proficiency, yet Teeland Middle School's 6th-grade math proficiency is just 24.70%. While this is not an apples-to-apples comparison, it raises questions worth asking about how well students' academic momentum is sustained after elementary school.

507

Students ?

16.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,883

Per pupil spending ?

41.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3750 E Paradise Ln
Wasilla, AK 99654

(907) 352-0500

District: Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

Racial breakdown:

White:

77.9%

Two or more races:

8.9%

American Indian:

6.5%

See top rated Alaska elementary schools

Compare John Shaw Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 73rd percentile in 2015 → 89th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Alaska average (61% vs 33% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 11% of Alaska elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 16 percentile points since 2015

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school61%

District avg43%

Alaska avg33%

18^th of 166

Alaska public elementary schools ?

Top 11%▲ up 7 pts since 2017

From top 18% (2017) to top 11% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alaska Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 22Elementary Schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

6^th of 23Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District among Alaska districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2026	85.8	18 of 166	89.2%	★★★★☆
2025	90.6	8 of 175	95.4%	★★★★★
2024	85.4	15 of 173	91.3%	★★★★★
2023	70.5	42 of 176	76.1%	★★★★☆
2022	59.1	64 of 171	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	74.1	39 of 173	77.5%	★★★★☆
2019	75.4	34 of 185	81.6%	★★★★☆
2018	79.6	32 of 186	82.8%	★★★★☆
2017	75.9	32 of 180	82.2%	★★★★☆
2015	66.5	67 of 246	72.8%	★★★★☆
2014	79.9	26 of 218	88.1%	★★★★☆
2013	79.0	30 of 223	86.5%	★★★★☆
2012	73.8	52 of 227	77.1%	★★★★☆
2011	73.8	55 of 223	75.3%	★★★★☆
2010	67.0	87 of 229	62.0%	★★★☆☆
2009	64.9	95 of 226	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2008	63.6	94 of 219	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2007	73.7	54 of 212	74.5%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2026	82.8	11 of 140	92.1%	★★★★★
2025	90.5	3 of 154	98.1%	★★★★★
2024	83.8	12 of 142	91.5%	★★★★★
2023	69.5	36 of 152	76.3%	★★★★☆
2022	45.0	73 of 143	49.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	63.0	45 of 141	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	70.4	45 of 159	71.7%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2026	94.1	1 of 28	96.4%	★★★★★
2025	96.2	1 of 125	99.2%	★★★★★
2024	87.1	6 of 122	95.1%	★★★★★
2023	65.2	37 of 119	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.6	38 of 104	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	59.2	39 of 110	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	78.9	20 of 147	86.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2026	84.3	15 of 145	89.7%	★★★★★
2025	88.4	8 of 149	94.6%	★★★★★
2024	79.7	14 of 150	90.7%	★★★★★
2023	65.1	44 of 148	70.3%	★★★★☆
2022	63.1	45 of 148	69.6%	★★★★☆
2021	76.1	23 of 142	83.8%	★★★★☆
2019	78.8	25 of 159	84.3%	★★★★☆

Migrant

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2026	94.1	1 of 28	96.4%	★★★★★
2025	86.7	3 of 35	91.4%	★★★★★
2024	82.4	2 of 28	92.9%	★★★★★
2023	45.2	18 of 30	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	41.1	9 of 15	40.0%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2026	40.2	38 of 65	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	69.7	21 of 74	71.6%	★★★★☆
2022	43.1	37 of 58	36.2%	★★☆☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2026	89.6	2 of 20	90.0%	★★★★★
2019	64.0	16 of 50	68.0%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2026	53.0	13 of 30	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	58.4	10 of 29	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	78.0	3 of 27	88.9%	★★★★★
2023	42.0	8 of 16	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.1	4 of 10	60.0%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2026	75.9	19 of 128	85.2%	★★★★☆
2025	85.4	9 of 139	93.5%	★★★★★
2024	76.9	21 of 133	84.2%	★★★★☆
2023	53.5	62 of 138	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	42.6	83 of 137	39.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	58.1	47 of 127	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	68.6	35 of 147	76.2%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)96th percentile+7 vs school

Migrant (2026)96th percentile+7 vs school

Female (2026)92nd percentile+3 vs school

Native American (2026)90th percentile~ school

Male (2026)90th percentile~ school

White (2026)85th percentile-4 vs school

Special Education (2026)57th percentile-32 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)42nd percentile-48 vs school

By subject vs Alaska (2025-2026) ?

Science74%+37 vs state

Mathematics68%+35 vs state

English Language Arts51%+18 vs state

★

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Schools Near John Shaw Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				STAR English Language Arts (2026)							STAR Mathematics (2026)							ASA Science (2026)			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 (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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
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	507	31	16.3	41.2%	395 (77.9%)	2 (0.4%)	29 (5.7%)	2 (0.4%)	33 (6.5%)	1 (0.2%)	45 (8.9%)	85.8	18^th of 166 public elementary schools	89.2%		90.6	8^th of 175 public elementary schools	95.4%	10	44.3	53.0	56.6				51.4	61.0	63.3	80.6				67.6	74.3		74.3	$13,883	$843	$13,040
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	643	35	18.3	39.7%	420 (65.3%)	1 (0.2%)	55 (8.6%)	9 (1.4%)	43 (6.7%)	10 (1.6%)	105 (16.3%)								(n/a)				35.5	37.9	37.0	36.9				24.7	43.2	47.0	38.3		41.1	41.1	$13,334	$1,054	$12,280
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	319	22	14.8	47.0%	184 (57.7%)	5 (1.6%)	40 (12.5%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (11.6%)	4 (1.3%)	49 (15.4%)	57	68^th of 166 public elementary schools	59.0%		57.7	75^th of 175 public elementary schools	57.1%	7	36.6	40.7	41.3				39.7	43.9	40.4	50.0				44.4	59.5		59.5	$17,109	$2,245	$14,863
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	336	19	17.6		194 (57.7%)	4 (1.2%)	89 (26.5%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (12.5%)	81.5	22^nd of 166 public elementary schools	86.7%		66.9	55^th of 175 public elementary schools	68.6%	33	41.2	74.3	72.0	63.0	47.8	62.5	60.0	37.5	47.2	80.8	65.4	47.8	70.0	55.6	84.0	83.3	83.7	$14,531	$114	$14,417
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	445	27	16.4	41.3%	288 (64.7%)	1 (0.2%)	38 (8.5%)	4 (0.9%)	30 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	84 (18.9%)	80	26^th of 166 public elementary schools	84.3%		66.9	54^th of 175 public elementary schools	69.1%	28	38.8	53.6	64.9				53.0	44.8	56.4	70.1				57.8	70.7		70.7	$13,619	$1,424	$12,195
Cottonwood Creek Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	800 N Seward Meridian	Wasilla	99645	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 864-2100	422	26	16.2	37.9%	286 (67.8%)	1 (0.2%)	35 (8.3%)	3 (0.7%)	17 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	80 (19.0%)	70	41^st of 166 public elementary schools	75.3%		59.4	71^st of 175 public elementary schools	59.4%	30	39.3	37.7	59.3				45.1	52.6	45.7	58.3				51.9	67.2		67.2	$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	324	22	14.7	55.2%	203 (62.7%)	1 (0.3%)	22 (6.8%)	3 (0.9%)	26 (8.0%)	5 (1.5%)	64 (19.8%)	49.3	90^th of 166 public elementary schools	45.8%		44.2	97^th of 175 public elementary schools	44.6%	7	21.8	36.0	45.2				34.7	32.7	44.0	50.0				42.5	55.7		55.7	$16,334	$1,666	$14,668
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	416	24	17.6		329 (79.1%)	1 (0.2%)	17 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.1%)	1 (0.2%)	51 (12.3%)	60.2	61^st of 166 public elementary schools	63.3%		59	73^rd of 175 public elementary schools	58.3%	12	32.7	46.7	50.0	39.5	60.5	60.0	47.0	32.7	42.2	69.6	45.5	50.0	46.7	47.6	64.6	56.3	61.3	$16,733	$116	$16,617
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	424	26	16.3	72.2%	244 (57.5%)	4 (0.9%)	50 (11.8%)	9 (2.1%)	24 (5.7%)	1 (0.2%)	92 (21.7%)	36.6	111^th of 166 public elementary schools	33.1%		22.6	137^th of 175 public elementary schools	21.7%	26	36.5	33.3	26.9				32.0	36.5	36.4	31.8				34.7	42.7		42.7	$17,072	$3,548	$13,525
Pioneer Peak Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1959 N Stringfield Rd	Palmer	99645	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	No	(907) 861-5700	449	29	15.4	39.4%	312 (69.5%)	3 (0.7%)	42 (9.4%)	2 (0.4%)	24 (5.3%)	4 (0.9%)	62 (13.8%)	80.7	24^th of 166 public elementary schools	85.5%		81.7	19^th of 175 public elementary schools	89.1%	5	30.8	55.2	68.5				52.3	44.7	66.7	74.4				62.5	74.7		74.7	$14,640	$838	$13,801

Frequently Asked Questions about John Shaw Elementary

What is the racial makeup of John Shaw Elementary?

Students at John Shaw Elementary are 78% White, 9% Two or more races, 7% American Indian, 6% Hispanic.

Is John Shaw Elementary a good school?

John Shaw Elementary ranks 18^th of 166 Alaska elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend John Shaw Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 507 students attended John Shaw Elementary.

What district is John Shaw Elementary in?

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

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Latest Alaska data All new data »

2025–26 ASA & STAR test scoresNewSep 3, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesDec 12, 2025

2018–19 through 2023–24 graduation ratesSep 19, 2025

2024–25 ASA & STAR test scoresSep 5, 2025

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.