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Very Good

#44 of 412 schools in AK

Top 10% in state

Valley Pathways

School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

PO Box 4897, Palmer, AK 99645

Enrollment

153

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palmer

#3 of 12

public schools

Alaska schools

#10 of 143

In district

#8 of 45

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Valley Pathways

Valley Pathways is an alternative school in Palmer, Alaska, serving students from pre-K through 12th grade. With an enrollment of 153 students, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, ensuring a more personalized learning experience. Valley Pathways is situated in a rural area near the town of Palmer, offering a close-knit community feel.

The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 reflects its current standing, with state ranking at 214 out of 413 schools in Alaska, placing it in the 48th percentile. Academically, Valley Pathways focuses on student development, with 24% of students proficient in ELA/Reading and 10% proficient in Math, indicating areas for improvement. The surrounding neighborhood is characterized by a median household income of $93,242 and a median home value of $313,500, with a relatively low poverty rate of 7.8%.

Valley Pathways is nestled in a community that values education, with 30% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The school's setting provides a unique blend of rural tranquility and accessible resources for its diverse student body.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 153 students, Valley Pathways 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, Valley Pathways 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.4Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected+1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,171

Valley Pathways — Students at Valley Pathways score 17% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 21.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AK state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
24.5%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Valley Pathways Compares

See how Valley Pathways performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
90th percentile in AK
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

PO Box 4897, Palmer, AK 99645

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley Pathways may also want to explore other schools in the area. AMAZING GRACE ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Mat-Su Day School (rated 6.0/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Wasilla), a more accessible option. For more schools in Palmer, see our Palmer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
AMAZING GRACE ACADEMY Palmer 1.5 mi 6.6
Palmer High School Palmer 1.4 mi 8.2
Colony High School Palmer 1.8 mi 7.9
Colony Middle School Palmer 2.1 mi 6.1
Palmer Middle School Palmer 1.9 mi 5.6
Mat-Su Secondary School Palmer 2.1 mi
Swanson Elementary Palmer 2.6 mi 7.1
Sherrod Elementary Palmer 2.6 mi 6.3
Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer 2.5 mi 6.5
Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer 2.6 mi 6.1
Academy Charter School Palmer 2.6 mi 5.7
Birchtree Charter School Palmer 3.5 mi 6.2
Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla 4.6 mi 4.0
Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla 5.9 mi 5.2
YA NE DAH AH SCHOOL Palmer 7.6 mi
Butte Elementary Palmer 6.5 mi 4.8
Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla 5.7 mi
Knik Charter School Wasilla 5.7 mi
Mat-Su Day School Wasilla 6.1 mi 6.0
Fronteras Charter School Wasilla 6.3 mi 8.0

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 Valley Pathways 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
Tri-Valley School Healy, AK 7.4
HOLY ROSARY ACADEMY Anchorage, AK 7.8
Togiak School Togiak, AK 7.3
Tuluksak School Tuluksak, AK 7.3
Tok School Tok, AK 7.9
Distance Learning/Corresp. Ctr. Eagle River, AK 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley Pathways

What grades does Valley Pathways serve?

Valley Pathways serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Valley Pathways?

Valley Pathways has an enrollment of approximately 153 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Pathways?

The student-teacher ratio at Valley Pathways is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valley Pathways rank in AK?

Valley Pathways is ranked #44 out of 412 schools in AK.

What is Valley Pathways's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Pathways has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Valley Pathways?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Pathways has 10.0% math proficiency and 21.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Valley Pathways a charter school?

No, Valley Pathways is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Valley Pathways a Title I school?

No, Valley Pathways is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Pathways?

85.6% of students at Valley Pathways 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
5 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,102/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palmer). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
153
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
85.6%
Type
alternative
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
District Enrollment
19,421
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,575
District Rank
#8 of 45

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.

Read our full methodology

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