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Sutton Elementary

Q: Is Sutton Elementary a good school?

Sutton Elementary ranks 20 th of 166 Alaska elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Q: How many students attend Sutton Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 54 students attended Sutton Elementary.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Sutton Elementary?

Students at Sutton Elementary are 67% White, 28% Two or more races, 4% American Indian, 2% Asian.

Q: What schools do graduates of Sutton Elementary attend?

Students who attend Sutton Elementary usually go on to attend: Middle : Palmer Middle School High : Palmer High School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

20^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 166 Alaska Elementary Schools

Better than 88% of Alaska elementary schools

Summary

Sutton Elementary is a small public school in Sutton, Alaska, serving just 54 students in grades PK-5 within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. This is a dramatically smaller school than its nearby peers, many of which enroll 260 to over 770 students, and the difference creates a very personalized environment: Sutton's student-teacher ratio is just 10.8, compared with roughly 13.0 to 20.8 at nearby schools such as John Shaw Elementary and Finger Lake Elementary. The school also stands out for its high per-pupil spending of $25,514, about double what nearby larger schools spend per student, reflecting the higher operating costs that come with serving a small, rural community.

Academically, Sutton is currently one of the stronger-performing elementary schools in the region. It ranked 20th out of 166 Alaska elementary schools for 2025-26, placing it in the 88th percentile with a 4-star rating. Proficiency rates are well above district and state averages: 54.5% in both English Language Arts and math, and 62.5% in science, compared to state averages of 32.9%, 32.2%, and 37.8%, respectively. Among nearby schools with state rankings, Sutton sits at #20 alongside Academy Charter School (#2) and John Shaw Elementary (#18), and it outperforms several larger schools including Butte Elementary (#49) and Sherrod Elementary (#63).

What makes this success especially notable is the school's student population. Sutton serves a very high-need community, with roughly 89% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, while nearby schools range from about 31% to 62%. The school has also shown remarkable improvement over time, moving from near the bottom quarter of Alaska elementary schools in 2011-12 to the top 12% today. Parents should keep in mind, however, that with only 54 students, year-to-year results can swing noticeably based on the performance of a single small cohort. Still, Sutton's low class sizes, strong per-pupil investment, and consistently competitive recent rankings make it a school worth serious consideration for families in the Sutton area.

Students ?

10.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$25,514

Per pupil spending ?

88.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

11672 N Wright Way
Sutton, AK 99674

(907) 861-5600

District: Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

Students who attend Sutton Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Palmer Middle School
High:	Palmer High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

66.7%

Two or more races:

27.8%

American Indian:

3.7%

See top rated Alaska elementary schools

Compare Sutton Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 38th percentile in 2011 → 88th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Alaska average (56% vs 33% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 12% of Alaska elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 50 percentile points since 2011

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school56%

District avg43%

Alaska avg33%

20^th of 166

Alaska public elementary schools ?

Top 12%▲ up 37 pts since 2017

From top 49% (2017) to top 12% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alaska Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 22Elementary Schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

6^th of 23Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District among Alaska districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2026	83.0	20 of 166	88.0%	★★★★☆
2024	67.4	53 of 173	69.4%	★★★★☆
2023	79.9	24 of 176	86.4%	★★★★☆
2021	39.7	105 of 173	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	29.7	138 of 185	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	58.7	73 of 186	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	49.1	88 of 180	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2015	50.2	113 of 246	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2012	23.0	178 of 227	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	47.2	138 of 223	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2010	49.7	137 of 229	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2009	71.6	68 of 226	69.9%	★★★★☆
2005	51.8	128 of 213	39.9%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2023	66.1	42 of 152	72.4%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alaska percentile	Rating
2026	35.3	96 of 128	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	21.8	132 of 147	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Female (2023)72nd percentile-14 vs school

White (2026)25th percentile-63 vs school

By subject vs Alaska (2025-2026) ?

Science62%+25 vs state

English Language Arts55%+22 vs state

Mathematics55%+22 vs state

★

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Schools Near Sutton Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				STAR English Language Arts (2026)							STAR Mathematics (2026)							ASA Science (2026)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	STAR English Language Arts 3rd Grade	STAR English Language Arts 4th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 5th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 6th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 7th Grade	STAR English Language Arts 8th Grade	STAR English Language Arts All Grades	STAR Mathematics 3rd Grade	STAR Mathematics 4th Grade	STAR Mathematics 5th Grade	STAR Mathematics 6th Grade	STAR Mathematics 7th Grade	STAR Mathematics 8th Grade	STAR Mathematics All Grades	ASA Science 5th Grade	ASA Science 8th Grade	ASA Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Sutton Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	11672 N Wright Way	Sutton	99674	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 861-5600	54	5	10.8	88.9%	36 (66.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.9%)	2 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (27.8%)	83	20^th of 166 public elementary schools	88.0%					(n/a)	< 40%	55.6	62.5				54.6	< 40%	55.6	62.5				54.6	62.5		62.5	$25,514	$4,066	$21,448
Sherrod Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	561 N Gulkana St	Palmer	99645	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 761-4100	383	23	16.6	62.4%	225 (58.7%)	2 (0.5%)	30 (7.8%)	3 (0.8%)	41 (10.7%)	3 (0.8%)	79 (20.6%)	59.7	63^rd of 166 public elementary schools	62.0%		62.7	60^th of 175 public elementary schools	65.7%	3	34.1	45.4	48.3				43.2	37.8	48.6	42.6				43.3	60.0		60.0	$15,066	$1,445	$13,621
Swanson Elementary	Public	PK, KG-2	507 N Gulkana	Palmer	99645	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 861-5300	348	26	13.3	47.7%	217 (62.4%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (9.2%)	5 (1.4%)	27 (7.8%)	4 (1.1%)	63 (18.1%)								(n/a)																		$14,003	$1,636	$12,366
Academy Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	801 East Arctic	Palmer	99645	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	Yes	No	No	No	(907) 746-2358	268	21	13.0		203 (75.7%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (7.1%)	3 (1.1%)	14 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (10.8%)	94.4	2^nd of 166 public elementary schools	98.8%		93.3	3^rd of 175 public elementary schools	98.3%	1	62.5	69.7	71.9	56.3	74.2	76.9	68.3	84.4	75.8	81.3	65.6	80.7	≥ 90%	79.6	81.3	76.9	79.3	$16,769	$105	$16,664
Butte Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4006 S Butte Rd	Palmer	99645	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 861-5200	263	20	13.1	38.4%	181 (68.8%)	1 (0.4%)	26 (9.9%)	2 (0.8%)	18 (6.8%)	2 (0.8%)	33 (12.5%)	66.4	49^th of 166 public elementary schools	70.5%		73.8	38^th of 175 public elementary schools	78.3%	11	42.1	47.7	28.1				40.4	60.5	47.7	46.9				51.8	68.8		68.8	$17,654	$1,853	$15,801
Colony Middle School	Public	PK, KG-8	9250 E Bogard Rd	Palmer	99645	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	No	(907) 761-1500	771	37	20.8	30.7%	530 (68.7%)	5 (0.6%)	56 (7.3%)	7 (0.9%)	40 (5.2%)	2 (0.3%)	131 (17.0%)								(n/a)				59.1	39.9	41.8	47.2				52.9	44.5	50.8	49.4		49.8	49.8	$11,831	$726	$11,105
Pioneer Peak Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1959 N Stringfield Rd	Palmer	99645	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	No	(907) 861-5700	449	29	15.4	39.4%	312 (69.5%)	3 (0.7%)	42 (9.4%)	2 (0.4%)	24 (5.3%)	4 (0.9%)	62 (13.8%)	80.7	24^th of 166 public elementary schools	85.5%		81.7	19^th of 175 public elementary schools	89.1%	5	30.8	55.2	68.5				52.3	44.7	66.7	74.4				62.5	74.7		74.7	$14,640	$838	$13,801
Birchtree Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	1675 N Nadina St.	Palmer	99645	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	Yes	No	No	No	(907) 745-1831	416	24	17.6		329 (79.1%)	1 (0.2%)	17 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.1%)	1 (0.2%)	51 (12.3%)	60.2	61^st of 166 public elementary schools	63.3%		59	73^rd of 175 public elementary schools	58.3%	12	32.7	46.7	50.0	39.5	60.5	60.0	47.0	32.7	42.2	69.6	45.5	50.0	46.7	47.6	64.6	56.3	61.3	$16,733	$116	$16,617
Finger Lake Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5981 Eek St	Wasilla	99654	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 864-2200	445	27	16.4	41.3%	288 (64.7%)	1 (0.2%)	38 (8.5%)	4 (0.9%)	30 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	84 (18.9%)	80	26^th of 166 public elementary schools	84.3%		66.9	54^th of 175 public elementary schools	69.1%	28	38.8	53.6	64.9				53.0	44.8	56.4	70.1				57.8	70.7		70.7	$13,619	$1,424	$12,195
John Shaw Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3750 E Paradise Ln	Wasilla	99654	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District	No	No	No	Yes	(907) 352-0500	507	31	16.3	41.2%	395 (77.9%)	2 (0.4%)	29 (5.7%)	2 (0.4%)	33 (6.5%)	1 (0.2%)	45 (8.9%)	85.8	18^th of 166 public elementary schools	89.2%		90.6	8^th of 175 public elementary schools	95.4%	10	44.3	53.0	56.6				51.4	61.0	63.3	80.6				67.6	74.3		74.3	$13,883	$843	$13,040

Frequently Asked Questions about Sutton Elementary

What schools do graduates of Sutton Elementary attend?

Students who attend Sutton Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Palmer Middle School
High : Palmer High School

Is Sutton Elementary a good school?

Sutton Elementary ranks 20^th of 166 Alaska elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Sutton Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 54 students attended Sutton Elementary.

What district is Sutton Elementary in?

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

What is the racial makeup of Sutton Elementary?

Students at Sutton Elementary are 67% White, 28% Two or more races, 4% American Indian, 2% Asian.

Rate Sutton Elementary!

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AKAlaska Elementary School Rankings

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Schools in Sutton, AK

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Latest Alaska data All new data »

2025–26 ASA & STAR test scoresNewSep 3, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesDec 12, 2025

2018–19 through 2023–24 graduation ratesSep 19, 2025

2024–25 ASA & STAR test scoresSep 5, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.