Excellent
#9 of 412 schools in AK
Top 2% in state
Sutton Elementary
Elementary School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
PO Box 216, Sutton, AK 99674
Enrollment
45
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
45
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sutton
#1 of 2
public schools
Alaska elementary schools
#5 of 165
In district
#1 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Sutton Elementary
Sutton Elementary is a public elementary school in Sutton, AK, part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. The school serves approximately 45 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 98.1th percentile among AK schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 18% proficiency in math and 28% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $65,809, where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 45 students, Sutton Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Sutton Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Sutton Elementary — Students at Sutton Elementary score 20% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
102.2%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.4/10.
How Sutton Elementary Compares
See how Sutton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 24.5% (2019) to 30% (2022).
Location
PO Box 216, Sutton, AK 99674
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sutton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Swanson Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Palmer), a more accessible option. Another option is Sherrod Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Palmer), a more accessible option. Additionally, Birchtree Charter School (rated 6.2/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Palmer), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sutton, see our Sutton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| YA NE DAH AH SCHOOL Palmer | 5.4 mi | — |
| Butte Elementary Palmer | 13.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Academy Charter School Palmer | 10.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Sherrod Elementary Palmer | 10.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Swanson Elementary Palmer | 10.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Mat-Su Secondary School Palmer | 11.6 mi | — |
| Palmer Middle School Palmer | 11.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Palmer High School Palmer | 11.4 mi | 8.2 |
| AMAZING GRACE ACADEMY Palmer | 13.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Valley Pathways Palmer | 12.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Colony High School Palmer | 13.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Colony Middle School Palmer | 13.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer | 14.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer | 15.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Birchtree Charter School Palmer | 15.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla | 15.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla | 18.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla | 17.6 mi | — |
| Knik Charter School Wasilla | 17.6 mi | — |
| Mat-Su Day School Wasilla | 17.3 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99674 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,809
Median Home Value
$222,600
Median Rent
$882/mo
Population
1,473
College Educated
21.8%
Homeownership
82.9%
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Median Age
51.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sutton Elementary has a median household income of $65,809. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,600, with a median rent of $882/month. The local poverty rate of 4.7% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Joseph S. & Olinga Gregory Elementary Kalskag, AK | 8.0 |
| Auntie Mary Nicoli Elementary Aniak, AK | 9.0 |
| Zackar Levi Elementary Lower Kalskag, AK | 7.8 |
| Two Rivers School Fairbanks, AK | 7.6 |
| SPRUCETREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Fairbanks, AK | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sutton Elementary
What grades does Sutton Elementary serve?
Sutton Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Sutton Elementary?
Sutton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 45 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sutton Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sutton Elementary is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sutton Elementary rank in AK?
Sutton Elementary is ranked #9 out of 412 schools in AK.
What is Sutton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sutton Elementary has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Sutton Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sutton Elementary has 18.3% math proficiency and 28.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sutton Elementary a charter school?
No, Sutton Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sutton Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sutton Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sutton Elementary?
102.2% of students at Sutton 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 45
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 102.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Phone
- (907) 861-5600
- 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
- #1 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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