Below Average
#373 of 412 schools in AK
Butte Elementary
Elementary School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
4006 S Butte Rd, Palmer, AK 99645
Enrollment
272
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
272
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palmer
#12 of 12
public schools
Alaska elementary schools
#143 of 165
In district
#37 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Butte Elementary
Butte Elementary, nestled in Palmer, Alaska, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 272 students, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, allowing for more individualized attention. The school's academic performance is reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10, placing it at the 66th percentile among Alaska schools.
Specifically, 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 27% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas for continued growth and development. Butte Elementary is situated in a rural area near the town of Palmer, offering a close-knit community setting. The neighborhood around the school is characterized by a median household income of $93,242 and a median home value of $313,500.
Approximately 30% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is low at 7.8%. This supportive environment fosters a nurturing atmosphere for learning and personal growth. Butte Elementary stands as a cornerstone in the rural community of Palmer, providing a strong foundation for young learners in a welcoming and supportive setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Butte Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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 6 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: 2.7/10.
How Butte Elementary Compares
See how Butte Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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. Sutton Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Sutton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Swanson Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 6.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sherrod Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 6.1 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 5.7 |
| Palmer Middle School Palmer | 5.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Swanson Elementary Palmer | 6.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Sherrod Elementary Palmer | 6.1 mi | 6.3 |
| 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 | 8.2 |
| Valley Pathways Palmer | 6.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Colony High School Palmer | 8.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Sutton Elementary Sutton | 13.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Colony Middle School Palmer | 8.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer | 8.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer | 9.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Birchtree Charter School Palmer | 9.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla | 11.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla | 10.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla | 11.5 mi | — |
| Knik Charter School Wasilla | 11.5 mi | — |
| Mat-Su Day School Wasilla | 12.3 mi | 6.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Butte Elementary has a median household income of $97,069. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $338,400, with a median rent of $1,309/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Midnight Sun Family Learning Center Wasilla, AK | 4.8 |
| Discovery Peak Charter School North Pole, AK | 4.9 |
| Midnight Sun Elementary School Fairbanks, AK | 4.9 |
| Nikiski North Star Elementary Kenai, AK | 4.9 |
| Spring Hill Elementary Anchorage, AK | 4.9 |
| Ayaprun Elitnaurvik Bethel, AK | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #373 out of 412 schools in AK.
What is Butte Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Butte Elementary has a composite rating of 4.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Butte Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Butte Elementary has 42.0% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,102/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palmer). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (907) 861-5200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 19,421
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,575
- District Rank
- #37 of 45
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.