We are very excited at Dimond to be a part of the national movement toward creating smaller learning communities in large comprehensive high schools. Along with the other five comprehensive high schools in the Anchorage School District, we are pleased to be the recipient of a federal grant that will assist us as we restructure our schools.

Specifically here at Dimond, we want to experience the benefits of a small school while maintaining the benefits of a large school. With our large population, those benefits include a large variety of AP classes, expanded elective offerings, a diverse population, and very competitive sports teams among other benefits. Research has consistently shown, however, that the benefits of a smaller school include increased student achievement, more visible students, a decrease in violence and disruptive behavior, and an increase in attendance and graduation rates. Those are benefits we want to tap into here at Dimond.

The improvements that we make cannot happen without student and parent input. We will be meeting with groups of students at Dimond, and we plan to meet with the PTSA organization in order to obtain that input. Additionally, please feel free to contact the SLC coordinator for Dimond High School with any questions, concerns, or ideas on how best to serve our students. You may contact Anna Knapp via e-mail at knapp_anna@asdk12.org or by phone at 742-7196.

We look forward to the opportunity to work together to make Dimond High School an even better place to learn and work together!

Goals of the federal program include:
Academic:
- increase test scores
- increase GPA's
- increase graduation rates
- decrease failure and dropout rates
- increase enrollment in advanced classes
Curriculum:
- restructure curriculum to be more relevant to students' lives beyond high school
- increase interdisciplinary connections
Atmospheric:
- create a safer, more welcoming environment at school
- increase attendance rates
- decrease disruptive behavior
- decrease suspensions for fighting, harassment, drugs/alcohol, and weapons

Questions, concerns, or ideas?

Contact Anna Knapp,
SLC Coordinator

Email: knapp_anna@asdk12.org

Phone: (907) 742-7196

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