Colony Middle School

Summary:

Colony Middle School is a public middle school located in Palmer, Alaska, serving grades PK-8 with a total enrollment of 735 students. It is part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, which is ranked 8th out of 24 districts in Alaska and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Colony Middle School has some strengths, such as higher-than-average science and 6th grade ELA proficiency rates, it also faces challenges in maintaining consistent academic performance across all grades. The school has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (31.02%) compared to the state and district averages, which may indicate a need for additional support and resources to address socioeconomic challenges. Interestingly, nearby schools like Fronteras Charter School and John Shaw Elementary outperform Colony Middle School in science, ELA, and math proficiency rates across all grades.

Another notable finding is the declining racial diversity at Colony Middle School, with the percentage of White students increasing from 63.01% to 67.62% over the past three years. This trend suggests the need to examine the reasons behind the changing demographics and ensure that the school's curriculum and instructional practices are meeting the needs of all students. Additionally, the school's inconsistent performance across grades, with proficiency rates declining in 7th and 8th grades, may indicate issues with curriculum alignment or instructional practices in the upper middle school grades.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

 9250 E Bogard Rd
       Palmer, AK  99645


(907) 761-1500

District: Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,831 Help


Students who attend Colony Middle School usually attend:

High:    Colony High School

Feeder schools for Colony Middle School:

Elementary:    Finger Lake Elementary
    Pioneer Peak Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  22.2 Help
Number of students:  757

Racial breakdown:

White:
70.7%
Two or more races:
14.7%
Hispanic:
7.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  27.2% Help


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 Compare Colony Middle School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Colony Middle School ranks worse than 51.6% of middle schools in Alaska. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 50.75. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Colony Middle School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Racial makeup is: White (70.7%), two or more races (14.7%), Hispanic (7.4%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 27.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Colony Middle School is 22.2. 25 elementary schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Colony Middle School employs 34 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Colony Middle School is $11,831, which is the lowest among 27 elementary schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Colony Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Colony Middle School 47th of 91 Alaska public middle schools. (See Colony Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Migrant students:
Female students:
Military Connected students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
Native American 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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Rank History for Colony Middle School

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Rank History for all students at Colony Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 85.03 9th 138 93.5%
2006 82.52 12th 132 90.9%
2007 79.31 21st 128 83.6%
2008 82.27 17th 132 87.1%
2009 81.21 18th 131 86.3%
2010 80.93 19th 136 86.0%
2011 81.43 18th 133 86.5%
2012 81.98 13th 135 90.4%
2013 80.55 22nd 136 83.8%
2014 79.80 20th 138 85.5%
2015 68.20 37th 151 75.5%
2017 51.02 42nd 88 52.3%
2018 48.28 51st 96 46.9%
2019 40.61 58th 99 41.4%
2021 56.84 38th 84 54.8%
2022 37.72 63rd 95 33.7%
2023 45.95 50th 92 45.7%
2024 50.75 47th 91 48.4%
See the entire list of Alaska Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Colony Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 62.38 8th 34 76.5%
2021 35.68 19th 30 36.7%
2022 35.53 16th 28 42.9%
2023 44.44 16th 31 48.4%
2024 49.10 12th 31 61.3%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Colony Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 31.81 8th 12 33.3%
2021 73.24 1st 2 50.0%
2022 48.67 1st 1 0.0%
2023 27.87 7th 11 36.4%
2024 38.30 7th 14 50.0%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Colony Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 27.57 47th 64 26.6%
2021 63.98 14th 43 67.4%
2022 44.86 20th 43 53.5%
2023 47.70 28th 55 49.1%
2024 57.60 21st 54 61.1%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Migrant students at Colony Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 28.13 19th 24 20.8%
2021 67.45 2nd 10 80.0%
2022 62.32 3rd 12 75.0%
2023 63.57 6th 20 70.0%
2024 67.03 3rd 20 85.0%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Migrant Students!

Rank History for Female students at Colony Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 38.61 51st 74 31.1%
2021 56.52 25th 57 56.1%
2022 35.25 42nd 66 36.4%
2023 46.95 36th 66 45.5%
2024 50.14 34th 69 50.7%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Military Connected students at Colony Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 12.73 19th 20 5.0%
2021 44.17 9th 14 35.7%
2022 14.18 16th 17 5.9%
2023 24.84 14th 17 17.6%
2024 31.75 12th 14 14.3%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for Male students at Colony Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 37.93 47th 73 35.6%
2021 60.05 22nd 62 64.5%
2022 41.32 40th 68 41.2%
2023 45.93 42nd 72 41.7%
2024 48.37 39th 72 45.8%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Colony Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 56.17 9th 22 59.1%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Colony Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 58.77 6th 19 68.4%
2021 63.16 4th 15 73.3%
2022 47.98 7th 19 63.2%
2023 62.10 6th 21 71.4%
2024 46.53 13th 26 50.0%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Native American students at Colony Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 47.46 20th 40 50.0%
2021 85.61 1st 16 93.8%
2022 72.73 2nd 16 87.5%
2023 85.24 3rd 20 85.0%
2024 86.64 1st 20 95.0%
See the entire list of Best Alaska Elementary Schools for Native American Students!

Rank History for White students at Colony Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 29.46 51st 72 29.2%
2021 48.45 31st 58 46.6%
2022 26.65 53rd 69 23.2%
2023 31.27 52nd 75 30.7%
2024 39.75 47th 74 36.5%
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.

Colony Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

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Enrollment information for Colony Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1992 355 2 1 6 27 n/a n/a 0 391
1993 608 7 3 11 35 n/a n/a 0 664
1994 841 9 7 20 57 n/a n/a 0 934
1995 973 8 6 14 63 n/a n/a 5 1069
1996 973 8 6 14 63 n/a n/a 5 1069
1997 928 8 4 19 52 n/a n/a 0 1011
1998 1044 9 4 24 67 n/a n/a 0 1148
1999 975 12 9 15 66 n/a n/a 0 1077
2000 919 10 14 22 66 n/a n/a 0 1031
2001 723 7 5 14 57 n/a n/a 0 806
2002 543 4 3 10 65 n/a n/a 0 625
2003 543 4 3 10 65 n/a n/a 0 625
2004 507 3 8 5 75 n/a n/a 0 598
2005 531 6 9 9 71 n/a n/a 0 626
2006 582 6 9 11 84 n/a n/a 0 692
2007 590 9 10 20 71 n/a n/a 0 700
2008 592 8 12 19 61 n/a n/a 26 718
2009 552 6 14 12 53 2 25 0 664
2010 546 4 10 9 51 1 24 0 645
2011 517 7 11 8 55 2 24 0 624
2012 480 16 17 21 93 7 1 0 635
2013 456 21 18 29 103 4 1 0 632
2014 454 17 25 34 120 5 0 0 655
2015 446 15 21 35 139 8 0 0 664
2016 527 16 17 23 103 7 35 0 728
2017 545 18 14 25 103 7 33 0 745
2018 555 16 22 27 106 8 30 0 764
2019 554 12 21 26 120 7 41 0 781
2020 532 7 18 74 81 2 84 0 798
2021 373 7 12 68 50 2 80 0 592
2022 480 8 6 74 55 3 78 0 704
2023 497 4 4 60 53 3 114 0 735
2024 535 3 6 56 44 2 111 0 757

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 Colony Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1992 391 5.5 71.0 9.2
1993 664 5.5 120.7 5.4
1994 934 47.5 19.7 3.9
1995 1069 59.3 18.0 5.6
1996 1069 59.3 18.0 5.6
1997 1011 59.3 17.0 6.5
1998 1148 57.0 20.1 9.9
1999 1077 52.3 20.6 10.1
2000 1031 45.0 22.9 9
2001 806 42.0 19.2 18
2002 625 38.5 16.2 16.5
2003 625 38.5 16.2 16.5
2004 598 34.0 17.6 19.4
2005 626 32.0 19.6 20.1
2006 692 36.5 19.0 24.9
2007 700 38.1 18.4 24.3
2008 718 42.5 16.9 26
2009 664 36.5 18.2 21.5
2010 645 36.0 17.9 25.1
2011 624 36.0 17.3 24.7
2012 635 33.0 19.2 28.7
2013 632 21.3 29.6 28.2
2014 655 30.7 21.2 29.6
2015 664 32.0 20.7 30
2016 728 37.0 19.6 26.1
2017 745 34.9 21.2 27.8
2018 764 34.5 22.1 30.6
2019 781 33.0 23.6 36.9
2020 798 35.0 22.8 30.5
2021 592 36.0 16.4 n/a
2022 704 34.0 20.7 n/a
2023 735 36.0 20.4 31
2024 757 34.0 22.2 27.2

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 Colony Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1992 391 5.5 71.0 9.2
1993 664 5.5 120.7 5.4
1994 934 47.5 19.7 3.9
1995 1069 59.3 18.0 5.6
1996 1069 59.3 18.0 5.6
1997 1011 59.3 17.0 6.5
1998 1148 57.0 20.1 9.9
1999 1077 52.3 20.6 10.1
2000 1031 45.0 22.9 9
2001 806 42.0 19.2 18
2002 625 38.5 16.2 16.5
2003 625 38.5 16.2 16.5
2004 598 34.0 17.6 19.4
2005 626 32.0 19.6 20.1
2006 692 36.5 19.0 24.9
2007 700 38.1 18.4 24.3
2008 718 42.5 16.9 26
2009 664 36.5 18.2 21.5
2010 645 36.0 17.9 25.1
2011 624 36.0 17.3 24.7
2012 635 33.0 19.2 28.7
2013 632 21.3 29.6 28.2
2014 655 30.7 21.2 29.6
2015 664 32.0 20.7 30
2016 728 37.0 19.6 26.1
2017 745 34.9 21.2 27.8
2018 764 34.5 22.1 30.6
2019 781 33.0 23.6 36.9
2020 798 35.0 22.8 30.5
2021 592 36.0 16.4 n/a
2022 704 34.0 20.7 n/a
2023 735 36.0 20.4 31
2024 757 34.0 22.2 27.2

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 Colony Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $726 (6.1%) $11,105 (93.9%) $11,831

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Colony Middle 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 58th of 99 Middle schoolsRanks 50th of 92 Middle schools
 4.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
8th Grade Science (Colony Middle School)45.538.7
 6.7%
   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 (Colony Middle School)45.538.7
 6.7%
   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 Students781735
 5.9%
African American124
 66.7%
American Indian12053
 55.8%
Asian214
 81%
Hispanic2660
 130.8%
Pacific Islander73
 57.1%
White554497
 10.3%
Two or More Races41114
 178%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients36.9%31%
 5.9%


Schools Near Colony Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Colony Middle School

In the 2023-24 school year, 757 students attended Colony Middle School.

Students at Colony Middle School are 71% White, 15% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic, 6% American Indian.

Students who attend Colony Middle School usually go on to attend:

High : Colony High School


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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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