Houston’s public schools outscore 77% of Alaska districts
26% of students in Houston’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Alaska average (23%). The grade covers the public school district serving Houston, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Alaska, not nationally.
From Alaska state tests taken in spring 2022, when 78% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Houston’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 125 Alaska towns with household incomes within a quarter of Houston’s, its schools beat 84%, higher than their 77% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 32% and math 26% in spring 2022, against 29% and 23% statewide; 85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,238 per student, against $21,070 across Alaska (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
26 elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Houston Middle School, then Houston High School. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Houston’s grade
A−: better than 77% of Alaska school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Alaska average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Houston, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Houston
Houston Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 318 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Houston
Houston Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 318 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Houston
Houston Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 318 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Houston
Houston High School
Grades 9–12 · 337 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Big Lake
10th grade in Houston
Houston High School
Grades 9–12 · 337 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Big Lake
Houston’s public schools are run by Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, which also serves Palmer and Wasilla. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Houston vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Alaska towns that share Houston’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | A− | Matanuska-Susitna Borough |
Every school in Houston
28 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Alaska’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Houston’s schools
Are Houston’s schools good?
By Alaska’s own tests, yes: the public schools Houston children attend outscore 77% of Alaska’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 84%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Houston in?
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 19,495 students in 49 schools (2024–25).
Where do Houston kids go to high school?
Houston High School in Big Lake, with 337 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Houston’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District graduated in four years, against 78% across Alaska.
How much does Houston spend per student?
$17,238 in Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (FY2024), against $21,070 across Alaska. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Houston families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Houston → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Alaska. Stars are from neighbors.