Palmer Middle School

1159 S Chugach
Palmer, AK 99645
(School attendance zone shown in map)
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 594 students in grades 6-8, Palmer Middle School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Alaska for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 13% (which is lower than the Alaska state average of 23%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 30% (which is higher than the Alaska state average of 29%).
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Alaska state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is lower than the Alaska state average of 53% (majority American Indian).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 6-8
  • Enrollment: 594 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 20:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 35%
  • : Bottom 50% in AK
  • : 13% (Btm 50%)
  • : 30% (Top 50%)
  • : 30-34% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AK Dept. of Education

School Overview

Palmer Middle School's student population of 594 students has grown by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 29 teachers has declined by 6% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
594 students
This chart displays total students of Palmer Middle School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Palmer Middle School
Total Classroom Teachers
29 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Palmer Middle School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Palmer Middle School by grade.

School Rankings

Palmer Middle School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 459 schools in Alaska (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Palmer Middle School is 0.54, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (AK)
#304 out of 459 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Palmer Middle School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
13%
23%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Palmer Middle School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Alaska by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
30%
29%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Palmer Middle School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Alaska by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
30-34%
38%
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
15:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Palmer Middle School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Alaska by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
9%
22%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Palmer Middle School and percentage of American Indian public school students in Alaska by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Asian
1%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Palmer Middle School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Alaska by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
9%
8%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Palmer Middle School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Alaska by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
n/a
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Palmer Middle School and the percentage of Black public school students in Alaska by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
White
65%
47%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Palmer Middle School and the percentage of White public school students in Alaska by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
1%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in Palmer Middle School and the percentage of Hawaiian public school students in Alaska by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Two or more races
15%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Palmer Middle School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Alaska by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Palmer Middle School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Alaska.
0.54
This chart displays the diversity score of Palmer Middle School and the public school average diversity score of Alaska by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
36%
38%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Palmer Middle School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Alaska by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Palmer Middle School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Alaska by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AK Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Palmer Middle School's ranking?
Palmer Middle School is ranked #304 out of 459 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Alaska.
What schools are Palmer Middle School often compared to?
Palmer Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Colony Middle School, Teeland Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
13% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 23% AK state average), while 30% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 29% AK state average).
How many students attend Palmer Middle School?
594 students attend Palmer Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
65% of Palmer Middle School students are White, 15% of students are Two or more races, 9% of students are American Indian, 9% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Palmer Middle School?
Palmer Middle School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the Alaska state average of 15:1.
What grades does Palmer Middle School offer ?
Palmer Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is Palmer Middle School part of?
Palmer Middle School is part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.

School Reviews

Review Palmer Middle School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Rate this school:

Recent Articles

College Application Requirement for High School Graduation? DC Weighs Possibility
College Application Requirement for High School Graduation? DC Weighs Possibility
The article discusses a proposal in Washington D.C. to make college applications a requirement for high school graduation. It examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a policy, including its impact on graduation rates and college attendance. The piece also considers similar initiatives in other states and the debate surrounding this approach
Bribing Students to Get Good Grades: The Debate
Bribing Students to Get Good Grades: The Debate
This piece explores the controversial practice of offering monetary rewards to students for good grades. It examines studies conducted in various cities, discussing the effectiveness of such programs and the ethical concerns they raise. The article presents arguments from both supporters and critics of this approach to student motivation.
Understanding Rubrics
September 27, 2024
Understanding Rubrics
This article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 6-8
  • Enrollment: 594 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 20:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 35%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 13% (Btm 50%)
  • : 30% (Top 50%)
  • : 30-34% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AK Dept. of Education

Quick Links