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Ursa Minor Elementary School

Public | PK-6 | 313 students

 

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Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
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2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
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2010:
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6 reviews of this school


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Posted January 27, 2012

The teachers at this school are hit and miss. Mr. Pieper, Mrs. Pieper, Mrs. McCalister, Mr. Benedetti, Mr. Vecera are great teachers that care about what they do and more importantly exercise common sense and avoid the political correctness gone amok that is prevalent with ASD. That being said the Principal and her administrative staff to include the counselor are borderline incompetent. They are so steeped in the liberal educational ideology that they are incapable of addressing simple discipline issues with students without having to resort to the heavy handed one size fits all solutions. They fully embrace the mother your kids approach and have a condescending and disrespectful attitude to Soldiers and Airmen that reside on JBER. In the three years my kids have gone here I have been left with the impression that they think they can parent my children better than me and my wife can. If you can afford it, send your kids to Eagle River Charter and or get a zone exemption and send your kids to Ursa Major.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 7, 2009

This school does have it's strong points. I do think the teachers and principal genuinely care about the students. However, the discipline is weak at best for the older grades. There is a lot of talk about being nice, but not much action when students are harassed. The PTO is strong and they have many activities during the year. The principal has an open door policy and I think she has a positive attitude.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 21, 2008

Ursa Minor is a great school, as long as your child has no issues that require attention from the staff. My son is a SpEd stufent and has been treated like a nuisence since he was diagnosed and he was no longer an 'easy kid'. I feel that this school, the principal there now in particular failed both of my children in not being willing to provide a safe learning environment. Again, this is personal experience. Perhaps someone else has had a better time of it. I just know that many families are moving out of that school and seeking their children's education elsewhere. As are we.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 8, 2008

My son went here from K-2 and excelled. I really owe Mr. Piper for being the excellent teacher he was for my son in K. He taught my son to read and my son still excells at reading and I think its due to Mr. Piper teaching. My daughter went to K in FL and she did not fair as well and actually had to get held back due to low reading skills which I blame FL for. I miss the Alaska schools. I feel they are excellent schools with great teachers.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 24, 2008

My sons attend this school and they love it. My middle son is going on his third year at Ursa Minor. He has advanced so much in his reading skills. My older son just graduated from Mr. Benedetti's six grade class and is going on to middle school. I know that he will do well because of the life skills that he has learned from Mr. B's class.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 28, 2007

My daughter absolutely loved her Kindergarten experience at ursa Minor. Mrs. Nixon and all the other teachers are wonderful. It is a very well organized scool and parent envolvement is wonderful. My daughter looks forward to attending First grade at Ursa Minor, which have wonderful First grade teachers.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 75% in 2011.

42 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
87%

2008

 
 
88%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.

43 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
88%

2009

 
 
90%

2008

 
 
92%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 74% in 2011.

43 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
84%

2009

 
 
85%

2008

 
 
92%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Alaska used the Standards Based Assessment (SBA) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, math and writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in science. The SBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alaska. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See Alaska's state standards

Source: Alaska Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 75% in 2011.

41 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
82%

2008

 
 
72%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 74% in 2011.

41 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
84%

2008

 
 
92%
Science

The state average for Science was 50% in 2011.

41 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
59%

2010

 
 
60%

2009

 
 
59%

2008

 
 
72%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 76% in 2011.

41 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
78%

2010

 
 
88%

2009

 
 
91%

2008

 
 
86%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Alaska used the Standards Based Assessment (SBA) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, math and writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in science. The SBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alaska. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See Alaska's state standards

Source: Alaska Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 70% in 2011.

33 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
76%

2009

 
 
57%

2008

 
 
72%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 79% in 2011.

34 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
79%

2008

 
 
>90%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 75% in 2011.

34 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
82%

2008

 
 
75%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Alaska used the Standards Based Assessment (SBA) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, math and writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in science. The SBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alaska. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See Alaska's state standards

Source: Alaska Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 70% in 2011.

34 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
57%

2008

 
 
75%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 75% in 2011.

34 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
84%

2009

 
 
78%

2008

 
 
>90%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 70% in 2011.

34 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
74%

2008

 
 
83%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Alaska used the Standards Based Assessment (SBA) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, math and writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in science. The SBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alaska. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See Alaska's state standards

Source: Alaska Department of Education

Math

All Students74%
Female60%
Male86%
Black50%
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic>=60%
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White80%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Not economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilities50%
Students without disabilities78%
English language learnersn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students88%
Female>=90%
Male87%
Black>=60%
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic>=60%
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White81%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Not economically disadvantaged>=90%
Students with disabilities57%
Students without disabilities>=90%
English language learnersn/a
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students86%
Female85%
Male87%
Black>=60%
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic>=60%
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White85%
Economically disadvantaged82%
Not economically disadvantaged>=90%
Students with disabilities>=60%
Students without disabilities89%
English language learnersn/a
Migrantn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Alaska used the Standards Based Assessment (SBA) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, math and writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in science. The SBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alaska. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. If there are fewer than 5 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Alaska's state standards

Source: Alaska Department of Education

Math

All Students85%
Female82%
Male>=80%
Blackn/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic50%
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White89%
Economically disadvantaged74%
Not economically disadvantaged>=90%
Students with disabilities>=60%
Students without disabilities89%
English language learners<=40%
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students81%
Female77%
Male84%
Blackn/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic>=60%
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White85%
Economically disadvantaged74%
Not economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilities>=60%
Students without disabilities83%
English language learners>=60%
Migrantn/a

Science

All Students59%
Female55%
Male63%
Blackn/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic<=40%
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White58%
Economically disadvantaged47%
Not economically disadvantaged68%
Students with disabilities<=40%
Students without disabilities64%
English language learners<=40%
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students78%
Female73%
Male84%
Blackn/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic50%
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White85%
Economically disadvantaged68%
Not economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilities>=60%
Students without disabilities81%
English language learners<=40%
Migrantn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Alaska used the Standards Based Assessment (SBA) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, math and writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in science. The SBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alaska. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. If there are fewer than 5 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Alaska's state standards

Source: Alaska Department of Education

Math

All Students61%
Female78%
Male40%
Black33%
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White72%
Economically disadvantaged40%
Not economically disadvantaged78%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities63%
English language learnersn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students74%
Female>=80%
Male56%
Black67%
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White84%
Economically disadvantaged63%
Not economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities76%
English language learnersn/a
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students68%
Female78%
Male56%
Black67%
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White74%
Economically disadvantaged50%
Not economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities70%
English language learnersn/a
Migrantn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Alaska used the Standards Based Assessment (SBA) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, math and writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in science. The SBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alaska. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. If there are fewer than 5 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Alaska's state standards

Source: Alaska Department of Education

Math

All Students62%
Female56%
Male67%
Black>=60%
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White53%
Economically disadvantaged56%
Not economically disadvantaged69%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities70%
English language learnersn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students68%
Female69%
Male67%
Black>=60%
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White63%
Economically disadvantaged50%
Not economically disadvantaged>=80%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities77%
English language learnersn/a
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students68%
Female81%
Male56%
Black>=60%
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White68%
Economically disadvantaged50%
Not economically disadvantaged>=80%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities77%
English language learnersn/a
Migrantn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Alaska used the Standards Based Assessment (SBA) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, math and writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in science. The SBA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alaska. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. If there are fewer than 5 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Alaska's state standards

Source: Alaska Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 59% 52%
Black 17% 4%
Hispanic 12% 6%
Two or more races 6% 7%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 3% 2%
American Indian/Alaska Native 2% 23%
Asian 2% 6%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 55%N/A38%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 16N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Resources

Extra learning resources offered
  • Title I Schoolwide program (SWP)
School leaders can update this information here.

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336 Hoonah Ave
JBER, AK 99505
Phone: (907) 428-1311

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