At a glance
Reported students
507
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
30.99
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
16.4:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Alaska elementary enrollment
98th percentile
Compared with 161 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
336
John Shaw Elementary: 507 reported students.
State peer staffing position
63rd percentile
16.4:1 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
- 496
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33.99
- Student–teacher ratio
- 14.6:1
What the reported data says about John Shaw Elementary
John Shaw 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 507 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 98th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 16.4:1, 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 (77.9%) and multiracial (8.9%). English learners represent 4.6% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 16.5%. 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 John Shaw Elementary
- 1How do the reported 16.4:1 student–teacher ratio and 30.99 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 0.5 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 4.6%
- Students with disabilities
- 16.5%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 41.2%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0.5
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- 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
- White77.9%
- Hispanic5.7%
- Black0.4%
- Asian0.4%
- American Indian / Alaska Native6.5%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.2%
- Multiracial8.9%
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.
Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
468 reported students
Pioneer Peak Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
449 reported students
Finger Lake Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
445 reported students
Iditarod Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
424 reported students
Cottonwood Creek Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
422 reported students
Birchtree Charter School
Elementary · Grades KG–08
416 reported students
Public schools near John Shaw 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teeland Middle School Elementary · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | PK–08 | 643 | 1.1 mi |
| Larson Elementary Elementary · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | PK–05 | 319 | 1.5 mi |
| Fronteras Charter School Elementary · Charter · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | KG–08 | 336 | 1.5 mi |
| Finger Lake Elementary Elementary · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | PK–05 | 445 | 2.2 mi |
| Cottonwood Creek Elementary Elementary · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | PK–05 | 422 | 2.7 mi |
| Birchtree Charter School Elementary · Charter · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | KG–08 | 416 | 3.4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about John Shaw Elementary
What grades does John Shaw Elementary serve?
John Shaw 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 John Shaw Elementary?
John Shaw Elementary reported 507 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 98th percentile among 161 Alaska elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 496 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at John Shaw Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 16.4:1, based on 507 students and 30.99 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 John Shaw Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
John Shaw 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 John Shaw Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
41.2% 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 John Shaw Elementary in?
John Shaw 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 John Shaw Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Teeland Middle School (1.1 mi), Larson Elementary (1.5 mi), Fronteras Charter School (1.5 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.