Academy Charter School

Summary:

Academy Charter School is a public charter elementary school serving grades K-8 in Palmer, Alaska, within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. The school has consistently been one of the top-performing elementary schools in Alaska, ranking in the top 20 for most years over the past decade.

Academy Charter School significantly outperforms the district and state averages across various standardized tests, with 65.68% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts, 78.7% in math, and 72.88% in science, compared to the district and state averages. The school also excels in supporting different student subgroups, ranking in the top 10 in the state for female students, white students, and low socioeconomic status students. However, the school has a relatively low percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, at just 1.15%, suggesting it serves a more affluent student population.

While Academy Charter School outperforms the district and state, some nearby schools within the same district, such as Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary and Pioneer Peak Elementary, also demonstrate strong academic performance, ranking in the top 30 elementary schools in the state. Additionally, Academy Charter School spends $16,769 per student, which is higher than the spending levels of many nearby schools, but the school's charter status and specialized programs may contribute to this higher funding.


Detail:

Public, Charter K-8

 801 East Arctic
       Palmer, AK  99645


(907) 746-2358

District: Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
4th of 173 Alaska Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,769 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  14.2 Help
Number of students:  261

Racial breakdown:

White:
77.0%
Two or more races:
10.7%
Hispanic:
6.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  1.1% Help


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 Compare Academy Charter School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Academy Charter School ranks better than 97.7% of elementary schools in Alaska. It also ranks first among 23 ranked elementary schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 93.74. (See more...)
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Compare Details Academy Charter School ranks better than 98.9% of middle schools in Alaska. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 97.35. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (77%), two or more races (10.7%), Hispanic (6.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 1.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Academy Charter School is 14.2, which is the 4th best among 23 elementary schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. (See more...)
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Compare Academy Charter School employs 18.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Academy Charter School is $16,769, which is the 11th highest among 23 elementary schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Academy Charter School:

SchoolDigger ranks Academy Charter School 4th of 173 Alaska public elementary schools. (See Academy Charter School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Academy Charter School 1st of 91 Alaska public middle schools. (See Academy Charter School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District 8th of 24 Alaska school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Academy Charter School?

Rank History for Academy Charter School

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Compare

Rank History for all elementary school students at Academy Charter School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 70.27 64th 213 70.0%
2006 75.07 48th 218 78.0%
2012 74.50 48th 227 78.9%
2013 76.82 43rd 223 80.7%
2014 82.42 19th 218 91.3%
2015 75.05 44th 246 82.1%
2017 59.28 68th 180 62.2%
2018 70.87 46th 186 75.3%
2019 93.07 5th 185 97.3%
2021 88.87 17th 173 90.2%
2022 84.32 19th 171 88.9%
2023 90.98 6th 176 96.6%
2024 93.74 4th 173 97.7%
See the entire list of Alaska Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Academy Charter School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 97.24 2nd 122 98.4%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Academy Charter School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 83.72 17th 159 89.3%
2022 83.76 10th 143 93.0%
2023 92.47 3rd 152 98.0%
2024 86.29 9th 142 93.7%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Academy Charter School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 92.92 2nd 159 98.7%
2021 76.52 22nd 142 84.5%
2022 83.25 9th 148 93.9%
2023 75.52 24th 148 83.8%
2024 74.57 26th 150 82.7%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Academy Charter School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 88.79 6th 147 95.9%
2021 73.07 26th 127 79.5%
2022 75.14 18th 137 86.9%
2023 83.75 10th 138 92.8%
2024 86.48 7th 133 94.7%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Academy Charter School

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Compare

Rank History for all middle school students at Academy Charter School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 80.36 21st 138 84.8%
2006 86.06 7th 132 94.7%
2007 87.38 6th 128 95.3%
2009 70.75 34th 131 74.0%
2010 86.96 5th 136 96.3%
2012 79.03 21st 135 84.4%
2013 84.41 11th 136 91.9%
2014 85.43 9th 138 93.5%
2015 88.82 10th 151 93.4%
2017 84.71 7th 88 92.0%
2018 93.29 2nd 96 97.9%
2019 97.63 1st 99 99.0%
2021 92.22 2nd 84 97.6%
2022 90.52 5th 95 94.7%
2023 88.59 9th 92 90.2%
2024 97.35 1st 91 98.9%
See the entire list of Alaska Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Academy Charter School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 94.70 2nd 74 97.3%
2021 88.41 2nd 57 96.5%
2022 90.58 1st 66 98.5%
2023 85.13 4th 66 93.9%
2024 94.33 1st 69 98.6%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Academy Charter School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 94.68 2nd 73 97.3%
2021 91.46 5th 62 91.9%
2022 79.02 10th 68 85.3%
2023 89.43 4th 72 94.4%
2024 93.79 2nd 72 97.2%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Academy Charter School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 97.03 1st 72 98.6%
2021 88.27 2nd 58 96.6%
2022 85.62 4th 69 94.2%
2023 77.90 7th 75 90.7%
2024 92.29 1st 74 98.6%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alaska Department of Education and Early Developmenr, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Academy Charter School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.7)
67%

33%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Open Quote This is an amazing school if you have advanced students! The teachers and staff truly want whats best for EVERY child! Plus class sizes are smaller so your child gets more one on one attention! Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Open Quote This school challenges each child to their ability level. Children do not work at the level of the lowest child in the class. If you want your child to be challenged, while enjoying learning, send them to this school. The teachers are professionals and seem to enjoy teaching your child and they truly love what they do. They don't just teach the standards, they surpass them. The kids aren't even aware that they are reaching higher and higher and learning and understanding more and more. Nothing but good comments for the way this school teaches my kids. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Academy Charter School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1998 20 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 20
1999 81 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 82
2000 100 0 0 1 3 n/a n/a 0 104
2001 118 0 1 1 5 n/a n/a 0 125
2002 160 1 1 4 10 n/a n/a 0 176
2003 160 1 1 4 10 n/a n/a 0 176
2004 186 1 3 5 9 n/a n/a 0 204
2005 208 1 5 6 11 n/a n/a 0 231
2006 210 1 8 3 7 n/a n/a 0 229
2007 202 2 8 4 12 n/a n/a 0 228
2008 191 3 6 4 16 n/a n/a 6 226
2009 195 2 4 4 17 1 6 0 229
2010 190 3 2 3 18 2 6 0 224
2011 193 5 4 5 16 2 6 0 231
2012 183 6 5 11 20 2 0 0 227
2013 194 6 4 6 26 2 0 0 238
2014 193 5 6 8 22 1 0 0 235
2015 195 6 2 9 20 2 0 0 234
2016 198 2 1 13 20 1 6 0 241
2017 202 0 1 13 19 3 6 0 244
2018 196 0 3 12 23 3 10 0 247
2019 207 0 3 8 23 2 11 0 254
2020 199 0 4 17 11 2 21 0 254
2021 195 0 5 16 5 1 31 0 253
2022 205 0 3 13 10 0 27 0 258
2023 201 0 3 18 11 0 28 0 261

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Academy Charter School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 20 1.3 15.4 0
1999 82 6.0 13.7 n/a
2000 104 5.5 18.9 n/a
2001 125 6.1 20.5 n/a
2002 176 10.8 16.3 n/a
2003 176 10.8 16.3 n/a
2004 204 13.1 15.6 n/a
2005 231 14.4 16.0 n/a
2006 229 14.5 15.8 n/a
2007 228 14.8 15.4 n/a
2008 226 16.9 13.4 0
2009 229 15.3 15.0 0
2010 224 15.2 14.7 0
2011 231 15.9 14.5 0
2012 227 15.3 14.8 0
2013 238 12.4 19.1 0
2014 235 16.5 14.2 0
2015 234 17.0 13.7 0
2016 241 16.0 15.0 0
2017 244 16.8 14.4 1.2
2018 247 16.7 14.7 1.2
2019 254 14.6 17.3 1.2
2020 254 17.6 14.4 1.2
2021 253 17.1 14.7 n/a
2022 258 18.5 13.9 n/a
2023 261 18.3 14.2 1.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Academy Charter School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 20 1.3 15.4 0
1999 82 6.0 13.7 n/a
2000 104 5.5 18.9 n/a
2001 125 6.1 20.5 n/a
2002 176 10.8 16.3 n/a
2003 176 10.8 16.3 n/a
2004 204 13.1 15.6 n/a
2005 231 14.4 16.0 n/a
2006 229 14.5 15.8 n/a
2007 228 14.8 15.4 n/a
2008 226 16.9 13.4 0
2009 229 15.3 15.0 0
2010 224 15.2 14.7 0
2011 231 15.9 14.5 0
2012 227 15.3 14.8 0
2013 238 12.4 19.1 0
2014 235 16.5 14.2 0
2015 234 17.0 13.7 0
2016 241 16.0 15.0 0
2017 244 16.8 14.4 1.2
2018 247 16.7 14.7 1.2
2019 254 14.6 17.3 1.2
2020 254 17.6 14.4 1.2
2021 253 17.1 14.7 n/a
2022 258 18.5 13.9 n/a
2023 261 18.3 14.2 1.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Academy Charter School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $105 (0.6%) $16,664 (99.4%) $16,769

Data source: Alaska Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Academy Charter School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 5th of 185 Elementary schoolsRanks 6th of 176 Elementary schools
 0.7%
Ranks 1st of 99 Middle schoolsRanks 9th of 92 Middle schools
 8.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
8th Grade Science (Academy Charter School)8058.6
 21.4%
   8th Grade Science (Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District)48.641.4
 7.2%
   8th Grade Science (Alaska)43.134.5
 8.6%
All Grades Science (Academy Charter School)70.766.1
 4.6%
   All Grades Science (Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District)5146.5
 4.5%
   All Grades Science (Alaska)44.736.9
 7.7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students254261
 2.8%
African American00
American Indian2311
 52.2%
Asian33
Hispanic818
 125%
Pacific Islander20
 100%
White207201
 2.9%
Two or More Races1128
 154.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients1.2%1.1%
 0%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Academy Charter School

Students at Academy Charter School are 77% White, 11% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic, 4% American Indian, 1% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 261 students attended Academy Charter School.

Yes! Academy Charter School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 4th of 173 Alaska elementary schools.


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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.





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