Very Good
#129 of 412 schools in AK
Top 31% in state
Butte Elementary
Elementary School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
4006 S Butte Rd, Palmer, AK 99645
Enrollment
272
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
272
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alaska schools
#129 of 412
In Palmer
#4 of 12
public schools
In district
#15 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very Good
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Butte Elementary
Elementary School in Palmer · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mat-su Secondary School
4.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Academy Charter School
5.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Butte Elementary
Butte Elementary is a public elementary school in Palmer, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Butte Elementary serves approximately 272 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Butte Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #129 of 412 schools in AK.
Structured state assessment records for Butte Elementary show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.1 · Very Good
- District avg 6.9
- AK avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Butte Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
43% of students at Butte Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Butte Elementary — Students at Butte Elementary score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 test records from AK state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.0/10.
How Butte Elementary Compares
See how Butte Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
4006 S Butte Rd, Palmer, AK 99645
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Butte Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Academy Charter School (rated 9.3/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Wasilla), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pioneer Peak Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 9.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Palmer, see our Palmer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mat-Su Secondary School Palmer | 4.7 mi | — |
| Academy Charter School Palmer | 5.7 mi | 9.3 |
| Palmer Middle School Palmer | 5.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Swanson Elementary Palmer | 6.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Sherrod Elementary Palmer | 6.1 mi | 6.7 |
| YA NE DAH AH SCHOOL Palmer | 9.7 mi | — |
| AMAZING GRACE ACADEMY Palmer | 5.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Palmer High School Palmer | 6.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Valley Pathways Palmer | 6.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Colony High School Palmer | 8.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Sutton Elementary Sutton | 13.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Colony Middle School Palmer | 8.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer | 8.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer | 9.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Birchtree Charter School Palmer | 9.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla | 11.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla | 10.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla | 11.5 mi | — |
| Knik Charter School Wasilla | 11.5 mi | — |
| Mat-Su Day School Wasilla | 12.3 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99645 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,069
Median Home Value
$338,400
Median Rent
$1,309/mo
Population
31,494
College Educated
31.1%
Homeownership
78.6%
Avg Commute
31.6 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
36.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Eagle River Elementary Eagle River, AK | 7.1 |
| Fire Lake Elementary Eagle River, AK | 7.0 |
| Knik Elementary School Wasilla, AK | 7.0 |
| Swanson Elementary Palmer, AK | 7.0 |
| Goose Bay Elementary Wasilla, AK | 7.2 |
| Klatt Elementary Anchorage, AK | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Butte Elementary
What grades does Butte Elementary serve?
Butte Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Butte Elementary?
Butte Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 272 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Butte Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Butte Elementary is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Butte Elementary rank in AK?
Butte Elementary ranks #129 of 412 schools in AK.
What is Butte Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Butte Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Butte Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Butte Elementary has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Butte Elementary a charter school?
No, Butte Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Butte Elementary a Title I school?
No, Butte Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Butte Elementary?
45.6% of students at Butte Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 272
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.0%
- Phone
- (907) 861-5200
Resources & Links
District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 19,421
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,575
- District Rank
- #15 of 45
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