Average
#172 of 412 schools in AK
Top 42% in state
Valley Pathways
School · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
PO Box 4897, Palmer, AK 99645
Enrollment
153
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
153
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alaska schools
#172 of 412
In Palmer
#8 of 12
public schools
In district
#23 of 45
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
School environment
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Valley Pathways
School in Palmer · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Amazing Grace Academy
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Palmer High School
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Valley Pathways
Valley Pathways is a public school in Palmer, AK, part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Valley Pathways serves approximately 153 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley Pathways has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #172 of 412 schools in AK.
Structured state assessment records for Valley Pathways show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.7 · Average
- District avg 6.4
- AK avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 153 students, Valley Pathways 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.
Valley Pathways 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Valley Pathways — Students at Valley Pathways score 17% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AK EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 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: 6.2/10.
How Valley Pathways Compares
See how Valley Pathways performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 very similar rating. Additionally, Mat-Su Day School (rated 5.9/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Wasilla), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.8 |
| Colony High School Palmer | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Colony Middle School Palmer | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Palmer Middle School Palmer | 1.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Mat-Su Secondary School Palmer | 2.1 mi | — |
| Swanson Elementary Palmer | 2.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Sherrod Elementary Palmer | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Mat-Su Middle College School Palmer | 2.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Pioneer Peak Elementary Palmer | 2.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Academy Charter School Palmer | 2.6 mi | 9.3 |
| Birchtree Charter School Palmer | 3.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Finger Lake Elementary Wasilla | 4.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School Wasilla | 5.9 mi | 8.3 |
| YA NE DAH AH SCHOOL Palmer | 7.6 mi | — |
| Butte Elementary Palmer | 6.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Knik Charter Correspondence School Wasilla | 5.7 mi | — |
| Knik Charter School Wasilla | 5.7 mi | — |
| Mat-Su Day School Wasilla | 6.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Fronteras Charter School Wasilla | 6.3 mi | 5.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Gambell School Gambell, AK | 6.7 |
| HomeBRIDGE Juneau, AK | 6.8 |
| Manokotak School Manokotak, AK | 6.6 |
| Tok School Tok, AK | 6.6 |
| Brevig Mission School Brevig Mission, AK | 6.9 |
| COOK INLET ACADEMY Soldotna, AK | 6.9 |
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 ranks #172 of 412 schools in AK.
What is Valley Pathways's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Pathways has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Valley Pathways?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Valley Pathways has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Phone
- (907) 761-4650
- 4-Year Graduation
- 52.0%
Resources & Links
District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District- District Enrollment
- 19,421
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,575
- District Rank
- #23 of 45
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