At a glance
Reported students
422
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
26
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
16.2:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Alaska elementary enrollment
91st percentile
Compared with 161 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
336
Cottonwood Creek Elementary: 422 reported students.
State peer staffing position
60th percentile
16.2:1 reported; state peer median 15.7:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 398
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27.5
- Student–teacher ratio
- 14.5:1
What the reported data says about Cottonwood Creek Elementary
Cottonwood Creek Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Wasilla. It is one of 50 current school records connected to Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. NCES reports 422 students for 2024–25.
Among 161 elementary schools in Alaska with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 290 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 91st percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 16.2:1, close to the Alaska median of 15.7:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (67.8%) and multiracial (19%). English learners represent 1.5% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 14.6%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Cottonwood Creek Elementary
- 1How do the reported 16.2:1 student–teacher ratio and 26 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 1.5%
- Students with disabilities
- 14.6%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 37.9%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White67.8%
- Hispanic8.3%
- Black0.2%
- Asian0.7%
- American Indian / Alaska Native4%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial19%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Iditarod Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
424 reported students
Birchtree Charter School
Elementary · Grades KG–08
416 reported students
Finger Lake Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
445 reported students
Dena'ina Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
396 reported students
Pioneer Peak Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
449 reported students
Sherrod Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
383 reported students
Public schools near Cottonwood Creek Elementary
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fronteras Charter School Elementary · Charter · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | KG–08 | 336 | 1.2 mi |
| Teeland Middle School Elementary · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | PK–08 | 643 | 1.6 mi |
| Larson Elementary Elementary · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | PK–05 | 319 | 1.7 mi |
| Finger Lake Elementary Elementary · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | PK–05 | 445 | 2.4 mi |
| Iditarod Elementary Elementary · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | PK–05 | 424 | 2.6 mi |
| John Shaw Elementary Elementary · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | PK–05 | 507 | 2.7 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Cottonwood Creek Elementary
What grades does Cottonwood Creek Elementary serve?
Cottonwood Creek Elementary reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.
How many students attend Cottonwood Creek Elementary?
Cottonwood Creek Elementary reported 422 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 91st percentile among 161 Alaska elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 398 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Cottonwood Creek Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 16.2:1, based on 422 students and 26 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Alaska median for the same school level is 15.7:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Cottonwood Creek Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
Cottonwood Creek Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Cottonwood Creek Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
37.9% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Cottonwood Creek Elementary in?
Cottonwood Creek Elementary is part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, based in Palmer, AK, which operates 50 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Cottonwood Creek Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Fronteras Charter School (1.2 mi), Teeland Middle School (1.6 mi), Larson Elementary (1.7 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.