Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District encompasses 49 public schools serving roughly 19,500 students across elementary, middle, high, and alternative programs in Alaska’s Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and while the district overall earns a 4-star rating, the strongest academics are concentrated in its elementary and charter schools rather than its middle or traditional high schools.

The district’s elementary schools are its clear standout, led by Academy Charter School, which ranks #2 in Alaska and posts math, ELA, and science proficiency rates near or above double the state averages. Other top traditional elementary options include John Shaw Elementary and Sutton Elementary, which achieve strong results despite a high poverty rate. Fronteras Charter School has rapidly improved over three years, reaching the 22nd percentile statewide, while Willow Elementary posts remarkably high math scores in a rural setting. Among high schools, Colony High School is the best-ranked traditional option, while Palmer High School and Susitna Valley High are showing clear upward trends in state ranking.

Families should be aware of the district’s middle-school weakness—all three dedicated middle schools fall below the statewide median—and a sharp drop in math proficiency between 8th grade (40.8%) and 9th grade (20.4%). Many high schools, including Wasilla High School and Houston High School, graduate 90% or more of their students even though math proficiency is very low, so parents should look beyond graduation rates. Poverty does not doom schools: Sutton and Willow outperform many more affluent campuses, while Meadow Lakes Elementary is a low-ranked, high-poverty school needing attention. Charter and choice schools such as American Charter Academy, Midnight Sun Family Learning Center, and Birchtree Charter School consistently outperform traditional neighborhood schools, making Elementary school choice a key consideration for families.