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PalmerAK DepotPhoto: Land Design North · Public domain
A−
Schools in Palmer · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

Palmer’s public schools outscore 77% of Alaska districts

On the state math tests, 26% of Palmer’s students scored proficient, above the Alaska average (23%). The grade covers the public school district serving Palmer, 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.

#4of 41 Alaska townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
32%
▲ 3 pts vs AK 29%
2021–22
Math proficiency
26%
▲ 3 pts vs AK 23%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85%
▲ 7 pts vs AK 78%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.2K
▼ 18% vs AK $21.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.2
AK 15.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
5
1,910 students on the public path
In brief

Palmer’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 125 Alaska towns with household incomes within a quarter of Palmer’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 ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Palmer Middle School, then Palmer High School. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Academy Charter School is in town. Every school ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Palmer’s grade

B+ Test scoresA− Graduation

A−: better than 77% of Alaska school districts, #4 of 41 Alaska towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Alaska average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Alaska school districts we grade (48)Better than 77%
Lower resultsHigher results
Alaska towns with similar household incomes (125)Better than 84%
B+A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 7,983 test results and a graduating class of 1,390 could put Palmer anywhere from B+ to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 78% of Palmer’s students in the tested grades sat them (7,950 in math, 8,016 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Palmer, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA−
6–8Palmer Middle SchoolMatanuska-Susitna Borough School DistrictB−
9–12Palmer High SchoolMatanuska-Susitna Borough School DistrictB−

Palmer’s public schools are run by Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, which also serves Houston 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.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 49 schools · 19,495 students, up 7% since 2020–21 · 16.2 per teacher (AK 15.7)
$17,238AK $21,070 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading32%
State average 29.4% · 8016 students tested
Math26%
State average 22.8% · 7950 students tested

Palmer vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Alaska towns that share Palmer’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PalmerA−Matanuska-Susitna Borough

Every school in Palmer

5 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).

District schools in Palmerby address
Sherrod Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A−
383 students17:1Rate it →
Swanson Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–2
348 students13:1Rate it →
Palmer Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
563 students19:1Rate it →
Palmer High School
High · Grades 9–12
B−
616 students17:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Academy Charter School
Elementary · Grades K–8
A+
Charter
268 students13:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Mat-Su Secondary School).

Questions about Palmer’s schools

Are Palmer’s schools good?

By Alaska’s own tests, yes: the public schools Palmer children attend outscore 77% of Alaska’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #4 of 41 Alaska towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 84%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Palmer in?

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 19,495 students in 49 schools (2024–25).

Where do Palmer kids go to high school?

Palmer High School, with 616 students; its own test results earn a B−.

What is Palmer’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 Palmer 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 Palmer families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Palmer → 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.