Very Good
#97 of 412 schools in AK
Top 23% in state
Based on limited data
Swanson Elementary
Elementary School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
507 N Gulkana, Palmer, AK 99645
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 11 schools in Palmer. Learn more
Enrollment
343
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
343
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palmer
#4 of 12
public schools
Alaska elementary schools
#40 of 165
In district
#11 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Swanson Elementary
Swanson Elementary is a regular public school nestled in the small suburban area of Palmer, Alaska. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through second grade, the school has an enrollment of 343 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, Swanson Elementary offers a supportive learning environment where young learners can thrive.
While Swanson Elementary has not provided specific test score data, the school remains dedicated to fostering student development and academic growth. The MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of 184 out of 413 schools in Alaska suggest there is room for improvement, but the school is likely focusing on strategies to enhance its educational offerings. The neighborhood around Swanson Elementary is characterized by a median household income of $93,242 and a median home value of $313,500, indicating a relatively affluent area.
Additionally, about 30% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 7.8%. This community setting provides a nurturing environment that values education and supports the school's mission. Swanson Elementary is situated in a vibrant suburban community that offers a range of resources and activities for families, making it a great place for young children to grow and learn.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Swanson Elementary Compares
See how Swanson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
507 N Gulkana, Palmer, AK 99645
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Swanson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sutton Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Sutton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sherrod Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Birchtree Charter School (rated 6.2/10, 5.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Palmer, see our Palmer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sherrod Elementary Palmer | 0.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Academy Charter School Palmer | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Palmer Middle School Palmer | 1.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Mat-Su Secondary School Palmer | 1.8 mi | — |
| Palmer High School Palmer | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| AMAZING GRACE ACADEMY Palmer | 3.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Valley Pathways Palmer | 2.6 mi | 7.6 |
| YA NE DAH AH SCHOOL Palmer | 5.3 mi | — |
| Colony High School Palmer | 3.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Colony Middle School Palmer | 3.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Butte Elementary Palmer | 6.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer | 4.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer | 5.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Birchtree Charter School Palmer | 5.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla | 6.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla | 8.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla | 8.0 mi | — |
| Knik Charter School Wasilla | 8.0 mi | — |
| Sutton Elementary Sutton | 10.3 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 Swanson 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 |
|---|---|
| Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary Sitka, AK | 7.1 |
| Lake Otis Elementary Anchorage, AK | 7.1 |
| Soldotna Elementary Soldotna, AK | 7.0 |
| Chugiak Elementary Chugiak, AK | 7.2 |
| Kasuun Elementary Anchorage, AK | 7.2 |
| Woodriver Elementary Fairbanks, AK | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Swanson Elementary
What grades does Swanson Elementary serve?
Swanson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.
How many students attend Swanson Elementary?
Swanson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 343 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Swanson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Swanson Elementary is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Swanson Elementary rank in AK?
Swanson Elementary is ranked #97 out of 412 schools in AK.
What is Swanson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Swanson Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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.
Is Swanson Elementary a charter school?
No, Swanson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Swanson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Swanson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swanson Elementary?
46.1% of students at Swanson 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
- Pre-K – 2nd
- Enrollment
- 343
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Phone
- (907) 861-5300
- 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
- #11 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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