ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

501 N Gulkana St
Palmer, AK 99645
(District boundaries shown in map)
8/
10
Top 30%

Top Rankings

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Alaska for:

Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 24 public preschools serving 7,733 students in Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public pre schools in Alaska.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Preschools in Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the Alaska public pre school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 29% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Alaska public preschool average of 57% (majority American Indian).

Overview

This School District
This State (AK)
# Schools
49 Schools
313 Schools
# Students
19,421 Students
74,752 Students
# Teachers
1,031 Teachers
4,173 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 52 school districts in Alaska (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80% has decreased from 83% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (AK)
#12 out of 53 school districts
(Top 30%)
41%
32%
32%
29%
44%
38%
80%
78%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.52
0.72
% American Indian
7%
27%
% Asian
1%
5%
% Hispanic
8%
7%
% Black
1%
2%
% White
67%
43%
% Hawaiian
1%
3%
% Two or more races
15%
13%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $16,600 in this school district is less than the state median of $20,163. The school district revenue/student has declined by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,543 is less than the state median of $21,240. The school district spending/student has declined by 6% over four school years.
This School District
This State (AK)
Total Revenue
$322 MM
$2,630 MM
Spending
$321 MM
$2,771 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,600
$20,163
Spending / Student
$16,543
$21,240

Best Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Preschools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Trapper Creek Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6742 E Petersville Rd
Trapper Creek, AK 99683
(907) 733-9451
Gr: PK-5 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #22.
Fred And Sara Machetanz Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4961 E Nelson Rd
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 864-2300
Gr: PK-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #33.
Pioneer Peak Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1959 N Stringfield Rd
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 861-5700
Gr: PK-5 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #44.
Larson Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2722 E Seldon Rd
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 352-2300
Gr: PK-5 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Cottonwood Creek Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
800 N Seward Meridian
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 864-2100
Gr: PK-5 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
John Shaw Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3750 E Paradise Ln
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 352-0500
Gr: PK-5 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #77.
Talkeetna Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
13930 E Timberwolf Lp
Talkeetna, AK 99676
(907) 733-9400
Gr: PK-5 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #88.
Willow Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
31706 W Parks Hwy
Willow, AK 99688
(907) 495-9300
Gr: PK-5 | 119 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #99.
Butte Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4006 S Butte Rd
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 861-5200
Gr: PK-5 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1010.
Sutton Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
11672 N Wright Way
Sutton, AK 99674
(907) 861-5600
Gr: PK-5 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1111.
Teeland Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2788 N Seward Meridian Pkwy
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 352-7500
Gr: PK-8 | 657 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1212.
Colony Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
9250 E Bogard Rd
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 761-1500
Gr: PK-8 | 757 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1313.
Snowshoe Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2001 W Fairview Loop
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 352-9500
Gr: PK-5 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1414.
Finger Lake Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5981 Eek St
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 864-2200
Gr: PK-5 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Dena'ina Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
7068 S Knik Knack Mud Shack Ro
Wasilla, AK 99687
(907) 864-5600
Gr: PK-5 | 384 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Tanaina Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2550 Lucille St
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 352-9400
Gr: PK-5 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1717.
Iditarod Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
455 E Carpenter Cir
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 352-9100
Gr: PK-5 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1818.
Valley Pathways
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1150 North France Rd
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 761-4650
Gr: PK-12 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1919.
Big Lake Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Mile 4.5 South Big Lake Rd
Big Lake, AK 99652
(907) 892-9700
Gr: PK-5 | 320 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #2020.
Meadow Lakes Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1741 Pittman Rd
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 352-6100
Gr: PK-5 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: n/an/a
6400 Hollywood Blvd
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 352-6400
Gr: PK-2 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: n/an/a
Knik Charter Correspondence School
Charter School
758 N Shoreline Dr.
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 864-6090
Gr: PK-12 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: n/an/a
Knik Charter School
Charter School
758 N Shoreline Dr.
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 864-6090
Gr: PK-12 | 156 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: n/an/a
507 N Gulkana
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 861-5300
Gr: PK-2 | 343 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%

Recent Articles

School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.
Best School Match 2025: ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø vs Charter vs Magnet
Best School Match 2025: ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.

Quick Facts (2025-26)

  • District size: 49 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 19,421 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 33%
  • : 80% (Top 20% in AK)
  • : Top 30%
  • : 41% (Top 20%)
  • : 32% (Top 50%)
  • : 44% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AK Dept. of Education

Quick Links