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SCHOOL COMMUNITY·KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT·NCES 020039000173

Sterling Elementary

35096 Sterling Hwy, Sterling, AK 99672 · (907) 262-4944 · Kenai Peninsula Borough
GRADES PK–06ELEMENTARY42-RURALREGULAR SCHOOL114 STUDENTS
Enrollment
114
Elementary
DISTRICT 206 · STATE 277
Student : Teacher
11.2:1
10 FTE teachers
DISTRICT 14.0:1 · STATE 15.3:1
Free / Reduced Lunch
39%
44 students
DISTRICT 48% · STATE 65%
Community
0
0 members
Enrollment and student:teacher ratio compared against other elementary schools. Free/Reduced Lunch and demographics compared against all schools.
Enrollment by grade
Kindergarten
11
Grade 1
13
Grade 2
20
Grade 3
17
Grade 4
15
Grade 5
21
Grade 6
17
Student demographics
White
74%
DISTRICT 70% · STATE 47%
Hispanic
4%
DISTRICT 6% · STATE 8%
Two+
15%
DISTRICT 15% · STATE 14%
Native American
8%
DISTRICT 8% · STATE 22%
Pacific Islander
n/r
n/r: not reliably reported by NCES for this school. Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment are systematically under-reported in the source data.
Gender split
Male
54%
Female
46%

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Test scores

AK STAR + Alaska Science 2023-24 . % Advanced + Proficient
English Language Arts
25.7%
AK avg 35.2%
Math
24.3%
AK avg 34.3%
Source: AK STAR + Alaska Science. All students, all grades. See all years and grades →

7-year change

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Enrollment
114
-118 (-51%) vs 2017
Student : Teacher
11.2:1
was 13.7:1
% White
74%
was 78%
% Hispanic
4%
was 4%
% Black
0%
was 0%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data

About Sterling Elementary

Sterling Elementary is an elementary campus of close-knit scale in Sterling, Alaska, run under Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, teacheing 114 students in grades pre-K through 6. Compared to the state average of about 277 students per school, that is 59% leaner than typical.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District runs 42 schools in total, collectively educating 8,510 students. Sterling Elementary is one of those campuses.

Demographically, Sterling Elementary shows that the largest single group is White, at 74% of enrollment. Other groups include 15% multiracial, 8% Native American, 4% Hispanic.

In terms of school funding signals, Sterling Elementary records 10 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 11.2:1. The state averages around 15.3:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. About 39% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal.

In the area at large, Kenai Peninsula Borough reports that the typical household earns roughly $80,538 per year, about 30% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate sits near 7%. Sterling Elementary is one of 42 public schools in Kenai Peninsula Borough (combined enrollment of about 8,510 students).

Connections is the nearest neighboring public school, about 9.8 miles from this campus. 3 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a ten-mile radius, suggesting a relatively low-density school footprint.

The campus sits in a small-town setting.

Looking at the recent track record. Sterling Elementary's enrollment has edged down 51% since 2018, when it stood at 232 (now 114). Class-load math has narrowed: from 13.7:1 in 2018 to 11.2:1 in 2025.

On this page, posts here usually surface around pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. Members of the school community can share what they know.

Kenai Peninsula Borough at a glance

View full county profile
Population
60,413
Census ACS
Median income
$80,538
Household, ACS
Bachelor's+
30%
Adults 25+
Poverty rate
7%
Below federal line
Schools in county
42
8,510 students

Quick facts

School name
Sterling Elementary
District
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Address
35096 Sterling Hwy, Sterling, AK 99672
Phone
(907) 262-4944
County
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Level
Elementary
Grade range
PK–06
Total enrollment
114
Teachers (FTE)
10
Student–teacher ratio
11.2:1
Free/Reduced lunch
44 (39%)
Locale
42-Rural: Distant
NCES ID
020039000173
Charter school
No
Virtual school
No

Related schools

Other schools in Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Nearby schools

Frequently asked questions

About Sterling Elementary
What is the total enrollment at Sterling Elementary?
Sterling Elementary enrolls approximately 114 students in grades PK-06.
What age range does Sterling Elementary serve?
Sterling Elementary serves students from grade PK through grade 06.
How many students per teacher at Sterling Elementary?
Approximately 11.2:1 students per teacher at Sterling Elementary.
How diverse is Sterling Elementary?
Sterling Elementary reports a student body of 74% White, 4% Hispanic, 15% Two or more.
Is Sterling Elementary public or private?
Sterling Elementary is a public K-12 school, overseen by Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.
Data sourceSchool profile facts are sourced from the NCES. Community content is posted by allk12 members.
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