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¶¶Òô³ÉÈË - Established 2003

Willow Elementary School vs. Cottonwood Creek Elementary School

Should you attend Willow Elementary School or Cottonwood Creek Elementary School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.

School Overview

School
Willow Elementary School
31706 W Parks Hwy
Willow, AK 99688
: 
7/
10
Top 50%
Cottonwood Creek Elementary School
800 N Seward Meridian
Palmer, AK 99645
: 
8/
10
Top 30%
Top Rankings
n/a

Cottonwood Creek Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alaska for:

Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 10%)
Overview
Willow Elementary School in Willow, AK serves 119 students from prekindergarten to grade 5 with a student–teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the district average ratios of 15 to 16.
Math proficiency is 45–49%, which is higher than the state average of 32% and district average of 41%; however, reading proficiency is 30–39%, approximately equal to the state average of 29% but lower than the district average of 32%.
Science proficiency is 60–79%, placing the school in the top 5% statewide and significantly higher than the state average of 38% and district average of 44%.
The school's overall ranking declined from #33 in 2021 to #151 in 2023, indicating a notable drop in relative performance within Alaska public schools.
Enrollment shows some variability with 135 students in 2023 and free lunch eligibility rose to 65%, reflecting an increase in socioeconomic need compared to 48% in 2022.
Serving 428 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Cottonwood Creek Elementary School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in Alaska for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 55% (which is higher than the Alaska state average of 32%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 30-34% (which is higher than the Alaska state average of 29%).
The student-teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Alaska state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is lower than the Alaska state average of 53% (majority American Indian).
Grades Offered
PK-5
PK-5
Total Students
119 students
428 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Willow Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
56% | 44%
52% | 48%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Willow Elementary School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School.
Total Classroom Teachers
10 teachers
27 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Willow Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
16:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Willow Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and the state of Alaska, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and the state of Alaska, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Test Scores

#151 out of 441 schools in AK
(Top 50%)
#115 out of 441 schools in AK
(Top 30%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Willow Elementary School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
45-49%
(Top 30% in AK)
55%
(Top 10% in AK)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Willow Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
30-39%
(Top 50% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
30-34%
(Top 50% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Willow Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
60-79%
(Top 5% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
60-69%
(Top 10% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Willow Elementary School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Cottonwood Creek Elementary School by grade.
Pre-K Students
-
11
Kindergarten Students
13
70
Grade 1 Students
18
57
Grade 2 Students
26
76
Grade 3 Students
18
70
Grade 4 Students
23
72
Grade 5 Students
21
72

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
4%
5%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Willow Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Asian
n/a
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Willow Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2019-20 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hispanic
7%
6%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Willow Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
1%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Willow Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2021-22 school year.
% White
69%
68%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Willow Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at Willow Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2014-15 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Two or more races
18%
20%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Willow Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
0.49
0.50
This chart showcases the diversity score of Willow Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
77%
34%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Willow Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
(21-22 School Year Data)
6%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Willow Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
 
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