Average
#214 of 412 schools in AK
Sherrod Elementary
Elementary School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
561 N Gulkana St, Palmer, AK 99645
Enrollment
369
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
369
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palmer
#6 of 12
public schools
Alaska elementary schools
#80 of 165
In district
#19 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Academic performance
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Sherrod Elementary
Sherrod Elementary is a welcoming public elementary school located in the small suburban area of Palmer, Alaska. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has a student body of 369 students and 24 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1. With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of 104 out of 413 schools in Alaska, Sherrod Elementary focuses on the holistic development of its students, particularly in areas where academic performance shows room for improvement.
On standardized tests, 36% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 31% are proficient or above in Math. Sherrod Elementary is situated in a neighborhood characterized by a median household income of $93,242 and a median home value of $313,500. Approximately 30% of the population in the area has a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is a low 7.8%.
This supportive community helps create a nurturing environment for students to thrive. Sherrod Elementary stands out as a cornerstone of the Palmer community, fostering a strong sense of belonging and academic growth for its students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Sherrod Elementary — Students at Sherrod Elementary score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.1%
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: 5.2/10.
How Sherrod Elementary Compares
See how Sherrod Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 31% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 36% (2022).
Location
561 N Gulkana St, Palmer, AK 99645
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sherrod Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sutton Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Sutton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Swanson Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Birchtree Charter School (rated 6.2/10, 5.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Palmer, see our Palmer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Swanson Elementary Palmer | 0.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Academy Charter School Palmer | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Palmer Middle School Palmer | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Mat-Su Secondary School Palmer | 1.9 mi | — |
| Palmer High School Palmer | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| AMAZING GRACE ACADEMY Palmer | 3.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Valley Pathways Palmer | 2.6 mi | 7.6 |
| YA NE DAH AH SCHOOL Palmer | 5.1 mi | — |
| Colony High School Palmer | 3.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Colony Middle School Palmer | 3.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Butte Elementary Palmer | 6.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer | 4.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer | 5.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Birchtree Charter School Palmer | 5.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla | 6.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla | 8.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla | 8.1 mi | — |
| Knik Charter School Wasilla | 8.1 mi | — |
| Sutton Elementary Sutton | 10.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Mat-Su Day School Wasilla | 8.2 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 Sherrod 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 |
|---|---|
| Northwood ABC Anchorage, AK | 6.3 |
| Barnette Magnet School Fairbanks, AK | 6.2 |
| Birchtree Charter School Palmer, AK | 6.2 |
| June Nelson Elementary Kotzebue, AK | 6.2 |
| Ocean View Elementary Anchorage, AK | 6.2 |
| Denali Montessori Elementary Anchorage, AK | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sherrod Elementary
What grades does Sherrod Elementary serve?
Sherrod Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Sherrod Elementary?
Sherrod Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 369 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sherrod Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sherrod Elementary is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sherrod Elementary rank in AK?
Sherrod Elementary is ranked #214 out of 412 schools in AK.
What is Sherrod Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sherrod Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Sherrod Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sherrod Elementary has 44.3% math proficiency and 43.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sherrod Elementary a charter school?
No, Sherrod Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sherrod Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sherrod Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sherrod Elementary?
66.1% of students at Sherrod 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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 369
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Phone
- (907) 761-4100
- 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
- #19 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.
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