• What is Different about Central's Program?
Our program infuses science and technology throughout all curricular areas using interdisciplinary teams of teachers and students. It is the goal of Central School of Science to provide an instructional program which is on the cutting edge of technology; teachers involved in ongoing training in the most current educational and technological techniques; and self-motivated students who will become responsible adults and lifelong learners. High academic expectations and high standards for student behavior are characteristics of Central's program. Students are here by choice and remain here only if they follow expected standards. For those who follow the rules and do well academically we have many special activities including: A-Club, ice cream socials, Honors Assemblies, and student-of-the-week, month, and semester. More information can be found in the Central Middle School of Science Handbook.

• Who Developed this Program?
The Program is the result of three years and over 1000 hours of work on the part of parents, students, community members, teachers, and administrators. The Anchorage School District Board of Education gave the proposal initial approval in February 1992 and final approval in May 1993. The current program began in the Fall of 1993.

• What is meant by "interdisciplinary teams of teachers and students"?
One of the purposes of teaming is to bridge the gap between the self-contained classroom of the elementary school, where a student has one primary teacher, and the departmentalization of the high school , where a student has many different teachers. A team might be thought of as an extended classroom. Each student will be assigned to a team of 120 students on their team. These teachers will have the opportunity to get to know the students in the team well, and students will be a part of the team "family" instead of experiencing the isolation and confusion often reported by seventh and eighth graders in a conventional junior high. Research has shown that teaming improves both academic and behavioral growth among students in these grade levels. The teaming concept provides schedule flexibility, the ability to provide curriculum integration and special community service projects, and greater educational continuity for students.

• What students make up the population of Central School of Science?
Central School of Science is a District-wide alternative program. Central serves the entire District, with a majority of students coming from downtown and west Anchorage, and Elmendorf areas. We currently have students from all over the district who have been drawn here by our strong math-science focus and high behavior standards. As an alternative school, we require all students and parents to sign an academic/behavior contract.

Parents are an important part of the Central School of Science team! Please visit our school whenever you are able and volunteer your help. We need your support and creative energy.