Average
#302 of 412 schools in AK
Colony Middle School
Elementary School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
9250 E Bogard Rd, Palmer, AK 99645
Enrollment
757
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
757
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alaska schools
#302 of 412
In Palmer
#11 of 12
public schools
In district
#35 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Academic performance
7.2 / 10
Very Good
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Colony Middle School
Elementary School in Palmer · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Colony High School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pioneer Peak Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Colony Middle School
Colony Middle School is a public elementary school in Palmer, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Colony Middle School serves approximately 757 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 22.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Colony Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #302 of 412 schools in AK.
Structured state assessment records for Colony Middle School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- District avg 6.9
- AK avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Colony Middle School runs 22.3:1 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 Middle 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.
42% of students at Colony Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Colony Middle School — Students at Colony Middle School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.2%
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: 5.2/10.
How Colony Middle School Compares
See how Colony Middle School 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
9250 E Bogard Rd, Palmer, AK 99645
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Colony Middle School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Academy Charter School (rated 9.3/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Wasilla), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pioneer Peak Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palmer, see our Palmer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Colony High School Palmer | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer | 0.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer | 2.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Valley Pathways Palmer | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Birchtree Charter School Palmer | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Palmer High School Palmer | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
| AMAZING GRACE ACADEMY Palmer | 3.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla | 2.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Palmer Middle School Palmer | 3.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Mat-Su Secondary School Palmer | 4.1 mi | — |
| Swanson Elementary Palmer | 3.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Sherrod Elementary Palmer | 3.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla | 5.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla | 4.3 mi | — |
| Knik Charter School Wasilla | 4.3 mi | — |
| Academy Charter School Palmer | 4.1 mi | 9.3 |
| Mat-Su Day School Wasilla | 4.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Fronteras Charter School Wasilla | 4.5 mi | 5.3 |
| John Shaw Elementary Wasilla | 4.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Teeland Middle School Wasilla | 4.7 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 |
|---|---|
| Fred Ipalook Elementary Utqiagvik, AK | 5.2 |
| Government Hill Elementary Anchorage, AK | 5.9 |
| Chinook Elementary Anchorage, AK | 6.2 |
| Teeland Middle School Wasilla, AK | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Colony Middle School
What grades does Colony Middle School serve?
Colony Middle School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Colony Middle School?
Colony Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 757 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Colony Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Colony Middle School is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Colony Middle School rank in AK?
Colony Middle School ranks #302 of 412 schools in AK.
What is Colony Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Colony Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Colony Middle School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Colony Middle School a charter school?
No, Colony Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Colony Middle School a Title I school?
No, Colony Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Colony Middle School?
27.2% of students at Colony Middle 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 757
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.5%
- Phone
- (907) 761-1500
Resources & Links
District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 19,421
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,575
- District Rank
- #35 of 45
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