Talkeetna Elementary

Talkeetna Elementary is a rural public school in Talkeetna, Alaska, serving 121 students in grades PK–5 as part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. It currently ranks in the 66th percentile of Alaska elementary schools (56th of 166 with 3 stars) — a solid rebound from the prior year’s 47th-percentile showing. About 63% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the school offers a favorable 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio with roughly $22,435 in per-pupil spending.

Compared with nearby Trapper Creek Elementary, just 6.8 miles away, Talkeetna is much larger and more teacher-intensive. Trapper Creek’s per-pupil spending is higher ($37,015) largely because fixed costs are spread across only 18 students. Academically, Talkeetna outpaced Trapper Creek in math in 2025–26 (42% versus 33.3% proficient) while Trapper Creek led in English language arts (50% versus 38.8%); given Trapper Creek’s tiny enrollment, those gaps are not reliable signals. Talkeetna’s math proficiency matches its district average and beats the state average (32.2%), but math performance fades by 5th grade, dropping from 53.3% in 3rd grade to 33.3% in 5th, well below the district’s 54.9%. ELA results also fluctuate noticeably from year to year, a common pattern when small cohorts drive the numbers.

Science is Talkeetna’s signature strength, with 61.1% proficiency in 2025–26 versus 37.8% statewide. Historically, the school has also served low-income students exceptionally well — its economically disadvantaged students ranked at the 94th percentile statewide in 2020–21 — though that performance has cooled into the 55th–68th percentile range in recent years. Outcomes vary across student groups, so while overall results are above average, they are not distributed evenly among all learners. Still, Talkeetna’s recent rebound, standout science program, and history of strong results for high-poverty students position it as a solid choice within its district and region.