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About the Anchorage School District

Welcome to the Anchorage School District where our mission is to educate students for success in life.

Students crossing in front of a school bus.

As the 88th largest school district in the country, the Anchorage School District is diverse in its staff, students and program offerings. Approximately 50,000 students attend ASD schools. They are taught by a well-qualified staff that sets high expectations and achieves great results. Located in southcentral Alaska, we have schools in Anchorage, Eagle River, Chugiak and Girdwood. (School Facilities Map or Administrative Facilities Map Adobe Acrobat logo: These files require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader available at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html)

ASD has a wide variety of programs and schools that serve approximately 50,000 students:
(60) Elementary schools
(1) Elementary/middle school combination
(10) Middle schools
(1) Middle/high school combination
(8) High schools
(1) K-12 school
(1) Vocational school
(10) Specialized programs and schools
(7) Charter schools

Student Diversity

Student Diversity pie chart

ASD students speak 84 different languages at home. After English, the five most common are Spanish, Hmong, Tagalog, Samoan and Korean. This year, for the first time, minority students comprise 50 percent of the student population.

This diversity provides students the ability to interact with peers from many different backgrounds, expanding their knowledge of other cultures and preparing for life in a global society.

 

Academic success

Student test scores are better than national and state averages, and graduates earn millions of dollars in scholarships each year. Parents overwhelmingly give teachers and schools high marks. The district is led by a superintendent and school board who are strongly committed to helping all students achieve academic success.

Student population

The Anchorage School District student population reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of the community. Anchorage is an educational, medical and commercial hub for Alaska and is home to many Alaska Natives. Many immigrants from around the globe live in Anchorage and 93 different languages are spoken by district schoolchildren. Roughly 42 percent of students are from ethnic minority groups.

Curriculum

All Anchorage students benefit from a curriculum strong in the core studies of language arts, math, social studies, science, health and physical education. The curriculum is also rich in music and art. Anchorage is a leader among school districts in its alternative program offerings. Parents have the opportunity to enroll their children in neighborhood schools with a standard curriculum or in a variety of alternative programs focused on science, the arts or language immersion. Some schools follow specific educational disciplines such as Montessori, open optional or ABC (back-to-basics). The district is also home to several charter schools.

Public opinion

The Anchorage School District regularly surveys the general community to track attitudes and opinions. Click here to browse through past surveys.

About Anchorage

Anchorage is a thriving metropolitan city, known for its exceptional quality of life. The city's 260,000 residents enjoy world-class arts, entertainment and fine dining. Downtown high-rise hotels and office buildings are a hassle-free 10-15 minute drive from quiet residential subdivisions and the mountains of the Chugach range are visible from every neighborhood. Anchorage has the conveniences of shopping malls, movie theaters, state-of-the-art hospitals, and several colleges and universities. All this is just minutes from Mother Nature's spectacular outdoor playground, perfect for hiking, biking, skiing, camping, fishing, hunting and boating.

Nestled between the Alaska Range and the warm Japanese current, Anchorage residents are protected from extreme temperatures and enjoy a moderate, maritime climate. The average temperature is 65°F in July and 20°F in January.

Are you relocating to Alaska and need more information about the state? Here are a few links to other Web sites you might find useful:

 


The Anchorage School District is committed to providing
equal educational and employment opportunities, services and benefits
to all students and employees.


A student playing a violin.
A student cross country skiing.
A close-up of a student's face.
Two students examining a rock.
Two students hugging at graduation.

Telling our story
Read more about the Anchorage School District

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