Choices in Education
Alternative schools and programs
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Elementary Open Optional Programs
Open optional programs primarily are child-centered,
emphasizing the physical, emotional and academic development
of the individual child. Students of different ages are
combined in multigrade classrooms to work and learn together.
Students are responsible for directing some aspects of
their learning. The open optional method of instruction
focuses on "doing," the experience approach
to learning. In practice, this means extensive use of
manipulative
teaching materials, forming and testing of hypotheses,
numerous field trips and classroom visits by a variety
of resource persons. Open optional school characteristics
include open, flexible space classrooms, continuous progress
grading, interdisciplinary curriculum with emphasis
on student need and interest, individualized learning,
flexible schedules, and self-discipline.
Gifted
This program provides services for students identified
as academically or intellectually gifted. The Gifted
Program offers four areas of service: enrichment, individualized
acceleration, middle school and the mentor program. The
enrichment program supplements the regular classroom
curriculum for grades 2-6 with approximately three hours
of classes each week. The individualized acceleration
program, housed at Rogers Park Elementary School, is
designed for elementary students who show academic or
intellectual achievement and ability of at least three
years above their peers. Busing is provided for all students.
Individualized and accelerated classes are offered at
Romig Middle School and West High School. Parents provide
transportation for their students if they live outside
the Romig or West attendance area. The mentor program
provides service to high school students whose needs
go beyond the high school level. This program provides
school-to-work opportunities using skills learned in
Honors, Advanced Placement and the regular curriculum
course work at a level equal to college internship.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Career Center (KCC)
The Martin Luther King Jr. Career Center offers vocational
and technical training in more than 26 occupations for
students in grades 10-12. The courses provide credit to
fulfill students' academic and elective requirements. Students
learn skills that may help them in their careers, whether
they plan to attend a college, university or technical
school after graduation, or go directly to work. Students
spend three periods a day at the King Career Center. There
is a morning and an afternoon session.
Montessori
The Montessori program is used at Denali Elementary School.
Students in grades K-6 learn in an open classroom stressing
individualized self-directed learning in a specially prepared
environment. The program uses a teaching style based on
Dr. Maria Montessori's educational methods and principles.
Students are grouped according to skill level, not age,
allowing children to learn at their own pace. Mixed-age
classrooms allow children who have mastered a skill to
help those still working on that skill. A variety of hands-on
materials and resources are available to students. In addition
to district and state requirements, teachers have certificates
from either the Association Montessori International or
the American Montessori Society.
Multisensory Instruction
The Multi-Sensory Instructional program in the Anchorage School District (MSI) is designed for students with average to above average intelligence who struggle primarily in reading, writing and/or spelling.
MSI is a comprehensive reading/language arts program that is based on the five tenets of a balanced reading program as outlined in the National Reading Panel Report (1999): Phonemic Awareness, Systematic and Explicit Phonics Instruction, Vocabulary Development, Comprehension, and Fluency. Each of these components are developed through systematic, sequential lessons that address, handwriting, oral language development, spelling, writing, and reading. MSI teaches patterns of thought. Students learn the processes and rules needed to spell, and to read and write words. MSI teaches students to compensate and think through the language process, rather than relying on rote memorization. MSI uses a variety of strategies to support students, including recent advances in technology.
Polaris K-12 School
Polaris K-12 School is for students, parents and teachers
who want an emphasis on self-directed learning and active
participation in education. Students are in multi-age groups
based on interests, needs and developmental levels. Instruction
utilizes the experience approach to learning referenced
in the open optional program description.
SAVE High School
Specialized Academic Vocational Education High School
is designed for students that have fallen behind in credits
by one or more semesters. Students who are in grades 10-12,
and are at least 16 years old, are eligible for SAVE. This
is a work/student program that combines work experience
and regular high school academic requirements for completion
of a high school diploma. Students go to three classes
each day, the other half of their educational day is spent
gaining on-the-job work experience or in a King Career
Center vocational class. The three main requirements are
regular attendance, consistent academic program and vocational
training.
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