Palmer High School in Palmer, AK serves 649 students in grades 9–12 with a student–teacher ratio of 15:1, which is lower than the district average ratio reported at 18 to 1.
The school's graduation rate is 95%, significantly higher than the state average of 78% and district average of 80%, ranking it in the top 1% for graduation rates in Alaska.
Math proficiency at Palmer High is 30–34%, which is approximately equal to the state average of 32% but notably lower than the district average of 41%; math scores have fluctuated without clear improvement over recent years.
Reading proficiency stands at 35–39%, higher than the state average of 29% but lower than the district average of 32%, with proficiency remaining relatively stable in the top half statewide.
Enrollment increased from 649 students recently to about 760–785 students between 2021 and 2023, while eligibility for free lunch rose from 22% in 2016 to nearly 30% in recent years, indicating a shift toward a higher proportion of students from low–income households at this Alaska public high school.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 616 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 33%
- Graduation Rate: ≥95% (Top 1% in AK)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 30-34% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 35-39% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 45-49% (Top 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Palmer High School serves the southeast part of the Palmer, AK school district, covering an area of approximately 417 square miles. Families in this zone can typically expect a 20 to 30-minute drive to the school, with an average distance of 15.5 miles to the zone's edge and a maximum distance of 25.4 miles.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AK Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Palmer High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alaska for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Palmer High School's student population of 616 students has declined by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 37 teachers has declined by 13% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
616 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
37 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
School Calendar
School Rankings
Palmer High School ranks within the top 50% of all 441 schools in Alaska (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Palmer High School is 0.53, 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.
Overall Testing Rank
#194 out of 441 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
32%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
29%
Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
45-49%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
15:1
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
8%
22%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
10%
8%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Black
1%
2%
Showing 2013–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
White
67%
47%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Hawaiian
1%
3%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 16-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
12%
13%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
≥95%
77.9%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)72.4%
42.5%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
31%
37%
Showing 2014–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
3%
Showing 2014–2025. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
White, Blue
School Mascot
Moose
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AK Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Palmer High School's ranking?
Palmer High School is ranked #194 out of 441 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Alaska.
What schools are Palmer High School often compared to?
Palmer High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Colony High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
30-34% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 32% AK state average), while 35-39% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 29% AK state average).
What is the graduation rate of Palmer High School?
The graduation rate of Palmer High School is 95%, which is higher than the Alaska state average of 77.9%.
How many students attend Palmer High School?
616 students attend Palmer High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
67% of Palmer High School students are White, 12% of students are Two or more races, 10% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, 1% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Palmer High School?
Palmer High School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the Alaska state average of 15:1.
What grades does Palmer High School offer ?
Palmer High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Palmer High School part of?
Palmer High School is part of Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
Our daughter is gifted, and went to one small Charter School , and 2 small Private Schools. She is doing very well at Palmer High School. The school is a medium size HS. It is an IB school so the courses are great. She is serving on the MAT-SU Student Advisory Board, and Palmer High School student government. In 2017 she will be the Sophomore class President. The Drama/Music Department is very well run, and gives students another way to be involves in school activities. The sports programs offer a wide selection. This is very good school for any one. My husband and I would give Palmer High School a 10 on a rating of 1 to 10. Thank you for reading this review.
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