Photo: Federal Aviation Administration, Alaska Region · Public domainBig Lake’s public schools outscore 77% of Alaska districts
In Big Lake, 26% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Alaska average (23%). The grade covers the public school district serving Big Lake, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Alaska, not nationally.
From Alaska state tests taken in spring 2022, when 78% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Big Lake’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 32% and math 26% in spring 2022, against 29% and 23% statewide; 85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,238 per student, against $21,070 across Alaska (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then ten middle schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Big Lake’s grade
A−: better than 77% of Alaska school districts, #4 of 41 Alaska towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Alaska average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Big Lake, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Big Lake
Big Lake Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 362 students · 16:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Big Lake
Big Lake Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 362 students · 16:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Big Lake
Big Lake Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 362 students · 16:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Big Lake
Big Lake Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 362 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Big Lake
Big Lake Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 362 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Big Lake
Big Lake Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 362 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Big Lake’s public schools are run by Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, which also serves Houston, Palmer and Wasilla. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Big Lake vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Alaska towns that share Big Lake’s borders.
Every school in Big Lake
11 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Alaska’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Big Lake’s schools
Are Big Lake’s schools good?
By Alaska’s own tests, yes: the public schools Big Lake children attend outscore 77% of Alaska’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #4 of 41 Alaska towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 79%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Big Lake in?
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 19,495 students in 49 schools (2024–25).
What is Big Lake’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District graduated in four years, against 78% across Alaska.
How much does Big Lake spend per student?
$17,238 in Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (FY2024), against $21,070 across Alaska. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Big Lake families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Big Lake → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Alaska. Stars are from neighbors.