| Metric | Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 19,705 | 3,700 | ≈ Near average |
| Number of Schools | 49 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $16,925/yr | $13,700/yr | ↑ 53% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 7/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (this district) | 7/10 | 63rd | 19,705 |
| South Burlington School District | NR | — | 2,717 |
| Essex Junction Schools | NR | — | 3,767 |
| Montpelier Roxbury Unified Union School District | NR | — | 1,234 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 41 rated districts in AK → 63rd percentile → 7/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
- John Shaw Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 507 students
- Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 468 students
- Pioneer Peak Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 449 students
- Finger Lake Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 445 students
- Iditarod Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 424 students
- Cottonwood Creek Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 422 students
- Dena'ina Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 396 students
- Sherrod Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 383 students
- Big Lake Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 362 students
- Swanson Elementary — Grades PK–2 · 348 students
- Snowshoe Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 346 students
- Tanaina Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 324 students
- Larson Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 319 students
- Meadow Lakes Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 308 students
- Goose Bay Elementary — Grades PK–2 · 305 students
- Butte Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 263 students
- Knik Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 263 students
- Willow Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 127 students
- Talkeetna Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 121 students
- Sutton Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 54 students
- Trapper Creek Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 18 students
- Wasilla Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 584 students
- Palmer Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 563 students
- Houston Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 318 students
- Colony High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,046 students
- Wasilla High School — Grades 9–12 · 816 students
- Mat-Su Career & Tech Ed High School — Grades 9–12 · 705 students
- Palmer High School — Grades 9–12 · 616 students
- Houston High School — Grades 9–12 · 337 students
- Burchell High School — Grades 9–12 · 200 students
- Mat-Su Central School — Grades K–12 · 2,780 students
- Colony Middle School — Grades PK–8 · 771 students
- Teeland Middle School — Grades PK–8 · 643 students
- Twindly Bridge Charter School — Grades K–12 · 601 students
- Joe Redington Senior Jr/Sr High School — Grades 6–12 · 497 students
- Birchtree Charter School — Grades K–8 · 416 students
- Fronteras Charter School — Grades K–8 · 336 students
- Academy Charter School — Grades K–8 · 268 students
- Susitna Valley High — Grades 6–12 · 233 students
- Mat-Su Middle College School — Grades 8–12 · 222 students
- American Charter Academy — Grades K–12 · 193 students
- Midnight Sun Family Learning Center — Grades K–8 · 189 students
- Knik Charter School — Grades PK–12 · 189 students
- Valley Pathways — Grades PK–12 · 143 students
- Mat-Su Day School — Grades K–12 · 70 students
- Beryozova School — Grades K–12 · 39 students
- Knik Charter Correspondence School — Grades PK–12 · 34 students
- Glacier View School — Grades K–12 · 24 students
- Mat-Su Secondary School — Grades 6–12 · 10 students
About Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Zip code 99645 in Palmer, Alaska is served by Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades K–12. This page provides a data-driven overview of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Understanding the 7/10 Rating
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 7/10, placing it in the above average tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Alaska is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Alaska on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 99645 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 99645
Children in zip code 99645 are assigned to Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 99645, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Alaska districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Palmer
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District serves zip code 99645, homes in and around zip code 99645 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Alaska, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 99645.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 99645 data.