Below Average
#393 of 412 schools in AK
Palmer Middle School
Middle School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
1159 S Chugach, Palmer, AK 99645
Enrollment
567
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
4.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
567
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
4.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alaska schools
#393 of 412
In Palmer
#12 of 12
public schools
In district
#42 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Shortlisting around Palmer Middle School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Palmer Middle School
Middle School in Palmer · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mat-su Secondary School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Swanson Elementary
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Palmer Middle School
Palmer Middle School is a public middle school in Palmer, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Palmer Middle School serves approximately 567 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Palmer Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #393 of 412 schools in AK.
Structured state assessment records for Palmer Middle School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.0 · Below Average
- District avg 3.6
- AK avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
60% of students at Palmer 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
Palmer Middle School — Students at Palmer Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.8%
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: 2.8/10.
How Palmer Middle School Compares
See how Palmer 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
1159 S Chugach, Palmer, AK 99645
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palmer Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Academy Charter School (rated 9.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Wasilla), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pioneer Peak Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palmer, see our Palmer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mat-Su Secondary School Palmer | 0.5 mi | — |
| Swanson Elementary Palmer | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Academy Charter School Palmer | 1.1 mi | 9.3 |
| Sherrod Elementary Palmer | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Palmer High School Palmer | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| AMAZING GRACE ACADEMY Palmer | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Valley Pathways Palmer | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Colony High School Palmer | 3.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Colony Middle School Palmer | 3.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Butte Elementary Palmer | 5.2 mi | 7.1 |
| YA NE DAH AH SCHOOL Palmer | 6.5 mi | — |
| Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer | 4.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer | 4.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Birchtree Charter School Palmer | 5.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla | 6.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla | 7.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla | 7.6 mi | — |
| Knik Charter School Wasilla | 7.6 mi | — |
| Mat-Su Day School Wasilla | 8.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Fronteras Charter School Wasilla | 8.2 mi | 5.3 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Ryan Middle School Fairbanks, AK | 4.2 |
| Central Middle School of Science Anchorage, AK | 4.3 |
| Floyd Dryden Middle School Juneau, AK | 4.3 |
| Wasilla Middle School Wasilla, AK | 3.7 |
| Clark Middle School Anchorage, AK | 4.4 |
| Hanshew Middle School Anchorage, AK | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palmer Middle School
What grades does Palmer Middle School serve?
Palmer Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Palmer Middle School?
Palmer Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 567 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmer Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Palmer Middle School is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palmer Middle School rank in AK?
Palmer Middle School ranks #393 of 412 schools in AK.
What is Palmer Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmer Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Palmer Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Palmer Middle School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Palmer Middle School a charter school?
No, Palmer Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palmer Middle School a Title I school?
No, Palmer Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palmer Middle School?
44.8% of students at Palmer 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 567
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 59.8%
- Phone
- (907) 761-4300
Resources & Links
District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 19,421
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,575
- District Rank
- #42 of 45
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateGet 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.