Public School Review - Established 2003

Mat-su Day School vs. Whaley School

Should you attend Mat-su Day School or Whaley 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
Mat-su Day School
2360 N Tait Dr
Wasilla, AK 99654
: 
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Whaley School
2220 Nichols St
Anchorage, AK 99508
: 
2/
10
Bottom 50%
Top Rankings

Mat-su Day School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alaska for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 5%)

Whaley School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alaska for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 10%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 10%)
Overview
Serving 81 students in grades Kindergarten-12, Mat-su Day School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Alaska for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤20% (which is lower than the Alaska state average of 32%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≤20% (which is lower than the Alaska state average of 29%).
The student-teacher ratio of 6:1 is lower than the Alaska state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is lower than the Alaska state average of 53% (majority American Indian).
Whaley School in Anchorage, AK serves grades Pre–K through 12 with an enrollment of 316 students and a student–teacher ratio of 7:1, which is lower than the district average for Anchorage schools.
Math proficiency is 10%, reading proficiency is 10%, and science proficiency is 20%, all of which are lower than the Alaska state averages of 32%, 29%, and 38% respectively.
The school's graduation rate ranges between 20% and 29%, significantly below the state average of 78% and the Anchorage School District average of 80%.
Overall school ranking has improved slightly from #430 in 2011 to #368 in 2023 but remains in the bottom 50% for statewide performance.
Enrollment has declined from 530 students in 2009 to 316 students in 2023, while the percentage of students eligible for free lunch increased sharply to 78% in 2023, indicating significant socioeconomic changes in this Anchorage public school.
Grades Offered
K-12
PK-12
Total Students
81 students
316 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Mat-su Day School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Whaley School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
81% | 19%
57% | 43%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Mat-su Day School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Whaley School.
Total Classroom Teachers
14 teachers
46 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Mat-su Day School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Whaley School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Mat-su Day 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 Whaley School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Anchorage 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

#286 out of 441 schools in AK
(Bottom 50%)
#368 out of 441 schools in AK
(Bottom 50%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Mat-su Day 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 Whaley School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
≤20%
(Bottom 50% in AK)
≤10%
(Bottom 50% in AK)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Mat-su Day 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 Whaley School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Anchorage School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
≤20%
(Bottom 50% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
≤10%
(Bottom 50% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Mat-su Day 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 Whaley School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Anchorage School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
<50%
(Top 30% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
≤20%
(Bottom 50% in AK)(21-22 School Year Data)
<50%
(Bottom 50% in AK)
20-29%
(Bottom 50% in AK)
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of Mat-su Day School with the average graduation rate 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 graduation rate of Whaley School with the average graduation rate observed in the Anchorage School District and Alaska public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Mat-su Day School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Whaley School by grade.
Pre-K Students
-
11
Grade 1 Students
1
1
Grade 2 Students
4
-
Grade 3 Students
1
-
Grade 4 Students
1
2
Grade 5 Students
4
1
Grade 6 Students
3
5
Grade 7 Students
4
23
Grade 8 Students
6
14
Grade 9 Students
8
28
Grade 10 Students
12
39
Grade 11 Students
2
28
Grade 12 Students
35
164

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
12%
20%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Mat-su Day 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 Whaley School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Anchorage 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
9%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Mat-su Day 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.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Whaley School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hispanic
5%
10%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Mat-su Day 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 Whaley School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Anchorage 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%
6%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Mat-su Day 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 Whaley School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% White
63%
34%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Mat-su Day 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 Whaley School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
n/a
4%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at Mat-su Day 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 2017-18 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at Whaley School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in the Anchorage 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
19%
17%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Mat-su Day 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 Whaley School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Anchorage School District and in Alaska, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
0.56
0.80
This chart showcases the diversity score of Mat-su Day 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 Whaley School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Anchorage 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
40%
16%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Mat-su Day 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 Whaley School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Anchorage 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
2%
11%
(19-20 School Year Data)
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Mat-su Day 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.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Whaley School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Anchorage School District and Alaska, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2019-20 school year.
 
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