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Average

#290 of 412 schools in AK

Sutton Elementary

Elementary School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

PO Box 216, Sutton, AK 99674

Enrollment

45

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alaska schools

#290 of 412

In Sutton

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#34 of 45

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

Academic performance

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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Sutton Elementary

5.4/10

Elementary School in Sutton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ya Ne Dah Ah School

Nearby

5.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Butte Elementary

7.1/10

13.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sutton Elementary

Sutton Elementary is a public elementary school in Sutton, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Sutton Elementary serves approximately 45 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Sutton Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #290 of 412 schools in AK.

Structured state assessment records for Sutton Elementary show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.9
  • AK avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 45 students, Sutton Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Sutton 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.

58% of students at Sutton 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 metrics
Student Progress3.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-5.24 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)12% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,575
Chronic Absenteeism57.8%

Sutton Elementary — Students at Sutton Elementary score 20% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

102.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from AK state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2010
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2011
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
30%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Sutton Elementary Compares

See how Sutton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
30th percentile in AK
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
102%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
57.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO Box 216, Sutton, AK 99674

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sutton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Academy Charter School (rated 9.3/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Palmer), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Wasilla), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pioneer Peak Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Palmer), which scores notably higher. 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 7.1
Academy Charter School Palmer 10.3 mi 9.3
Sherrod Elementary Palmer 10.2 mi 6.7
Swanson Elementary Palmer 10.3 mi 7.0
Mat-Su Secondary School Palmer 11.6 mi
Palmer Middle School Palmer 11.4 mi 4.0
Palmer High School Palmer 11.4 mi 5.8
AMAZING GRACE ACADEMY Palmer 13.2 mi 6.6
Valley Pathways Palmer 12.8 mi 6.7
Colony High School Palmer 13.2 mi 6.0
Colony Middle School Palmer 13.4 mi 5.3
Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer 14.3 mi 8.1
Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer 15.2 mi 7.7
Birchtree Charter School Palmer 15.3 mi 7.0
Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla 15.8 mi 7.2
Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla 18.6 mi 8.3
Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla 17.6 mi
Knik Charter School Wasilla 17.6 mi
Mat-Su Day School Wasilla 17.3 mi 5.9

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
KODIAK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kodiak, AK 5.6
Two Rivers School Fairbanks, AK 4.7
ANCHORAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Anchorage, AK 4.5
ANCHORAGE JUNIOR ACADEMY Anchorage, AK 6.7

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 ranks #290 of 412 schools in AK.

What is Sutton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sutton Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Sutton Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sutton Elementary has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
57.8%

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