At a glance
Reported students
563
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
29.86
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
18.9:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Alaska middle enrollment
70th percentile
Compared with 33 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
336
Palmer Middle School: 563 reported students.
State peer staffing position
73rd percentile
18.9:1 reported; state peer median 16.6:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 558
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Student–teacher ratio
- 18:1
What the reported data says about Palmer Middle School
Palmer Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Palmer. It is one of 50 current school records connected to Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. NCES reports 563 students for 2024–25.
Among 33 middle schools in Alaska with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 401 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 70th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 18.9:1, above the Alaska median of 16.6:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (66.8%) and multiracial (15.8%). English learners represent 1.6% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 17%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Palmer Middle School
- 1How do the reported 18.9:1 student–teacher ratio and 29.86 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 2 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 1.6%
- Students with disabilities
- 17%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 44.4%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White66.8%
- Hispanic7.3%
- Black0.5%
- Asian1.1%
- American Indian / Alaska Native6.6%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander2%
- Multiracial15.8%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Wasilla Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
584 reported students
Houston Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
318 reported students
Twindly Bridge Charter School
Other · Grades KG–12
601 reported students
Palmer High School
High · Grades 09–12
616 reported students
John Shaw Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
507 reported students
Joe Redington Senior Jr/Sr High School
High · Grades 06–12
497 reported students
Public schools near Palmer Middle School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mat-Su Secondary School High · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | 06–12 | 10 | 0.5 mi |
| Academy Charter School Elementary · Charter · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | KG–08 | 268 | 1.1 mi |
| Palmer High School High · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | 09–12 | 616 | 1.2 mi |
| Swanson Elementary Elementary · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | PK–02 | 348 | 1.3 mi |
| Sherrod Elementary Elementary · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | PK–05 | 383 | 1.4 mi |
| Valley Pathways Other · Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District | PK–12 | 143 | 1.9 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Palmer Middle School
What grades does Palmer Middle School serve?
Palmer Middle School reports grades 06–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.
How many students attend Palmer Middle School?
Palmer Middle School reported 563 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 70th percentile among 33 Alaska middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 558 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Palmer Middle School?
The calculated ratio is 18.9:1, based on 563 students and 29.86 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Alaska median for the same school level is 16.6:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Palmer Middle School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Palmer Middle School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Palmer Middle School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
44.4% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Palmer Middle School in?
Palmer Middle School is part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, based in Palmer, AK, which operates 50 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Palmer Middle School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Mat-Su Secondary School (0.5 mi), Academy Charter School (1.1 mi), Palmer High School (1.2 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.