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#235 of 412 schools in AK

Colony High School

High School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

9550 E Bogard Rd, Palmer, AK 99645

Enrollment

1,092

Student-Teacher

20.6:1

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#235 of 412

In Palmer

#9 of 12

public schools

In district

#29 of 45

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Colony High School

6.0/10

High School in Palmer · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Colony Middle School

5.3/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Pioneer Peak Elementary

8.1/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Colony High School

Colony High School is a public high school in Palmer, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Colony High School serves approximately 1,092 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 20.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Colony High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #235 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Colony High School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • AK avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Colony High School runs 20.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Colony High School 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.

53% of students at Colony High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-5.54 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
College Readiness9.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate97%
AP Participation38%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,575
Chronic Absenteeism52.7%

Colony High School — Students at Colony High School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from AK state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
74%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
91%
2011
Math
78%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
78%
ELA
90%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
91%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
23%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
29%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
24%
ELA
39%

* 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 Colony High School Compares

See how Colony High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
43th percentile in AK
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.4
Sports
18
8 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
38% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
8 boys'·10 girls'·31 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

9550 E Bogard Rd, Palmer, AK 99645

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Colony High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mat-Su Middle College School (rated 7.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Palmer High School (rated 5.8/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Palmer, see our Palmer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Colony Middle School Palmer 0.3 mi 5.3
Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer 1.1 mi 8.1
Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer 2.2 mi 7.7
Valley Pathways Palmer 1.8 mi 6.7
Birchtree Charter School Palmer 2.1 mi 7.0
Palmer High School Palmer 2.5 mi 5.8
AMAZING GRACE ACADEMY Palmer 3.3 mi 6.6
Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla 3.0 mi 7.2
Palmer Middle School Palmer 3.5 mi 4.0
Mat-Su Secondary School Palmer 3.9 mi
Swanson Elementary Palmer 3.6 mi 7.0
Sherrod Elementary Palmer 3.7 mi 6.7
Academy Charter School Palmer 3.9 mi 9.3
Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla 5.5 mi 8.3
Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla 4.5 mi
Knik Charter School Wasilla 4.5 mi
Mat-Su Day School Wasilla 4.6 mi 5.9
Fronteras Charter School Wasilla 4.8 mi 5.3
John Shaw Elementary Wasilla 5.0 mi 7.6
Teeland Middle School Wasilla 5.0 mi 6.2

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
South Anchorage High School Anchorage, AK 6.0
West Valley High School Fairbanks, AK 5.9
Chugiak High School Chugiak, AK 5.8
Lathrop High School Fairbanks, AK 5.4
Dimond High School Anchorage, AK 5.3
Eagle River High School Eagle River, AK 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Colony High School

What grades does Colony High School serve?

Colony High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Colony High School?

Colony High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,092 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Colony High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Colony High School is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Colony High School rank in AK?

Colony High School ranks #235 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Colony High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Colony High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Colony High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Colony High School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Colony High School a charter school?

No, Colony High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Colony High School a Title I school?

No, Colony High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Colony High School?

28.0% of students at Colony High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,092
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.7%
4-Year Graduation
97.0%

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