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
Enrollment
153
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView 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 6 test records from AK state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Valley Pathways Compares
See how Valley Pathways performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 24.5% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- 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
- #8 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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