Excellent
#50 of 412 schools in AK
Top 12% in state
Pioneer Peak Elementary
Elementary School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
1959 N Stringfield Rd, Palmer, AK 99645
Enrollment
471
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
471
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alaska schools
#50 of 412
In Palmer
#2 of 12
public schools
In district
#5 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Academic performance
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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Pioneer Peak Elementary
Elementary School in Palmer · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mat-su Middle College School
1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Colony Middle School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pioneer Peak Elementary
Pioneer Peak Elementary is a public elementary school in Palmer, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Pioneer Peak Elementary serves approximately 471 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Pioneer Peak Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #50 of 412 schools in AK.
Structured state assessment records for Pioneer Peak Elementary show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.1 · Excellent
- District avg 6.9
- AK avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Pioneer Peak 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.
34% of students at Pioneer Peak 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
Pioneer Peak Elementary — Students at Pioneer Peak Elementary score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35%
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: 7.8/10.
How Pioneer Peak Elementary Compares
See how Pioneer Peak 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
1959 N Stringfield Rd, Palmer, AK 99645
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pioneer Peak Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Wasilla), with a very similar rating. Another option is John Shaw Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Wasilla), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cottonwood Creek Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Wasilla), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Palmer, see our Palmer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Colony Middle School Palmer | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Colony High School Palmer | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Birchtree Charter School Palmer | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Valley Pathways Palmer | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla | 4.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla | 3.4 mi | — |
| Knik Charter School Wasilla | 3.4 mi | — |
| AMAZING GRACE ACADEMY Palmer | 3.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Palmer High School Palmer | 3.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Mat-Su Day School Wasilla | 3.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Fronteras Charter School Wasilla | 3.8 mi | 5.3 |
| John Shaw Elementary Wasilla | 4.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Cottonwood Creek Elementary Wasilla | 4.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Teeland Middle School Wasilla | 4.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Mat-Su Career & Tech Ed High School Wasilla | 4.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Palmer Middle School Palmer | 4.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Mat-Su Secondary School Palmer | 4.7 mi | — |
| Swanson Elementary Palmer | 4.6 mi | 7.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dena'ina Elementary School Wasilla, AK | 8.1 |
| Ravenwood Elementary Eagle River, AK | 8.1 |
| Chugiak Elementary Chugiak, AK | 8.0 |
| Delta Junction Elementary Delta Junction, AK | 8.2 |
| Trailside Elementary Anchorage, AK | 8.2 |
| Larson Elementary Wasilla, AK | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pioneer Peak Elementary
What grades does Pioneer Peak Elementary serve?
Pioneer Peak Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Pioneer Peak Elementary?
Pioneer Peak Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 471 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Peak Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Peak Elementary is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pioneer Peak Elementary rank in AK?
Pioneer Peak Elementary ranks #50 of 412 schools in AK.
What is Pioneer Peak Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pioneer Peak Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Pioneer Peak Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pioneer Peak Elementary has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Pioneer Peak Elementary a charter school?
No, Pioneer Peak Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pioneer Peak Elementary a Title I school?
No, Pioneer Peak Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pioneer Peak Elementary?
35.0% of students at Pioneer Peak 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
- 471
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.0%
- Phone
- (907) 861-5700
Resources & Links
District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 19,421
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,575
- District Rank
- #5 of 45
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