Iditarod Elementary School

455 Carpenter Circle

School District

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on July 06, 2024

Before sending your kid to this school I would check out the background the school has had with inappropriate touching of kids. You think that with the history it would have gotten better with making sure that it wouldn't happen again, but I can tell you my child went there 2023 to 2024 and will not be going back. This school does not protect our children as the teachers in question are still employed there. I have now learned a hard lesson...do more research before you pick a school for your child.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2022

From the moment we walked in the doors of Iditarod we felt supported. Our daughter is new this year to both Iditarod and the school district. Staff at Iditarod are kind, responsive, fun, and professional. We struck gold when we enrolled our daughter here. Iditarod's communication, specifically from her teacher, is exceptional. Our daughter's educational growth is wonderful and she feels a sense of belonging at her school and in her classroom. Iditarod takes student safety seriously and I find great comfort in that when I send her to school each day. I know our daughter is learning, is safe and is loved. We truly couldn't ask for more from such a wonderful group of educators!
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2022

My oldest daughter attended kindergarten at another school. She was not served well and we tried to get her in a charter school. However, she was not chosen in the charter school's lottery. Instead, we chose to have her start first grade at Iditarod. I am so glad we did! Her first grade teacher was amazing and she went from being behind grade level to excelling! My daughter received other school support services that improved her social skills and helped her relate more to her peers. She is so happy at the school! My other daughter started preschool last year and learned so much. She is now a kindergartener. Her teacher is amazing! She sees my daughter's unique needs, both her strengths and her weaknesses, and is dedicated helping her achieve her potential. I am so glad we chose Iditarod to be our school. I definitely recommend this school to others. I am excited that this year we will get to attend in-person family events again. We enjoyed going to the school for game nights, craft nights, science nights, etc, but the last few years have been remote. This year the events are in-person and we are looking forward to getting to see other families while doing great family activities.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2022

These teachers care about the children on a personal level. They are so dedicated and truly invested in their education. We absolutely love Iditarod teachers and staff.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2022

Wow, looking at these reviews, I wouldn’t want my daughter to attend this school. However, looking at the dates of these reviews, I’m thankful to say so much has changed. Probably the only thing that still rings true today is the quality of the first grade teachers. They, along with the rest of the staff, are wonderful! My daughter has attended Iditarod Elementary from second through fifth grade, and we’ve been very pleased with her teachers. Her reading fluency and comprehension, as well as math fluency and understanding of math concepts have all improved - moving her from Belle grade level to slightly above! Her testing scores have also improved. Most importantly, she has built relationships with friends and teachers that have helped her come out of her shell. She is very happy at Iditarod!It’s obvious their staff truly care about children and have been great about staying in touch with important information. I’ve never had to wait long to hear back from any teacher when I ask a question. I understand they have a new principal this year and, although I find it strange she refers to herself as Principal Jones, she seems to have her act together and is doing great things already. I am very excited to know the Family Game Nights are back, and the first one is tomorrow. Thank goodness we are getting back to normal after Covid kept us isolated for so long!I hope you find this school as wonderful as my daughter and I do!
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2016

Too many issues with the teachers not knowing where my kids were after school. We called in and told them that we would be picking up my kids but they still put my kids on the bus. Last year my kindergartener was suppose to be at after school program but they put him on the bus and he was dropped off at home and no one was home. My daughter is in 4th grade and is not learning the correct way to do multiplication. The principal takes too long to get to the bottom of issues. He also takes more than a few days to return calls. When they make a mistake they are never apologetic. Not pleased. Kids will be moving schools ASAP!
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2014

The teachers are hit and miss. The 5th grade curriculum does not prepare the student for middle school. When asked why the teachers do not allow for a parent quality check by placing the weekly assignments on line the teacher indicated it was it necessary but at the same time refuses to verify if the students translation from board to book is correct. When I expressed that my eldest is in middle school and all 6 of her teachers have time to place weekly assignments and expectations on I-parent, all the teacher could indicate is that she wasn't those teachers. The principal refuses to address the incompetent teachers which could possibly be the reason why students from this elementry struggle when they arrive to wasilla middle school. I have 3 younger children whom will not be attending this school we are selling our home to ensure our younger children are placed in a positve, nurturing environment. Parents be forewarned that the teachers will also accept mail and gifts from noncustodial parents through the school without notify the legal guardians and the principal find this type of behavior acceptable.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2012

POOR QUALITY. Both of my children are being pulled from this school, because one of their teachers relies on "activity" books as apposed to "textbooks", they play games and eat candy almost daily, or so we are told by our 4th grader. This 4th grade class has been so poor that it outweighs the great teacher my first grader has. I understand and agree that it is good for kids to enjoy their time at school and want to be there but since transferring from ANCH school last Oct my fourth grader has actually regressed in his learning ability and level. He has forgotten how to do simple mathematical equations that were learned last year, which shows there is absolutely NO reinforcement from the teacher. I spend on average two hours a night with him just re-teaching his lessons so he can complete his homework. This school, or at least the teacher is beyond unacceptable!!! We have tried to reach the principal for several days, only to get the "he's in a meeting, can he call back" response. Needless to say he has yet to call us back. We have even had issues with the bus driver and tried to contact the bus barn - same response, must be something taught from the district to the schools...
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2011

Most of the teachers rely on volunteers (who are not qualified) to grade papers, as well as teach subjects. The teachers will not allow children to move forward in subjects they excel at and they do not provide additional help to all those who need it due to limited participation from the teachers. I have dished out over 600$ in tutoring and programs so my child doesn't get held back. Last year my friend pulled both her children because one was used to grade papers instead of given additional work when she was done, and the other was told he needed to be in special ed. Now her daughter is looking at skipping a grade at Cottenwood creek, and her son get A's and B's because he was given additional help. I will be pulling my children and placing them in finger lake or Cottenwood creek next year.