The Old Girdwood School

Girdwood did not have a school until the late 1940s. Back then, Alaska was a not even a state, it was a Territory. The government would supply a paid teacher if the community had a minimum of six school-aged children. The community had to provide a school building and supplies. The Girdwood community raised money to buy building materials by holding pie socials and showing movies at the local roadhouse. There was support for a school, but not enough children. Finally, one family took in a foster child so Girdwood would have the required minimum of six children. This simple one-story building was built in the old town site. By 1962, the size of the school had grown to 28 students and two teachers. Do you recognize any of these faces? Several still live in Girdwood today.

After the 1964 earthquake, the school building was moved to its current location--next to Little Bear's Park. The building was used as a library after a new school was built. Today the orignial school building is referred to as the "Old Library" and used by the Little Bear's Day Care for its after school "Gap" programs and some Four Valleys Community Schools programs. The new "Old School" is located next to the Forest Service Station. It was replaced in 1982 by the school Girdwood students attend today.

Girdwood School Today

Mascot: Grizzly Bear Colors: Blue & Silver

The last week of the 1981 school year, the new school opened. One hundred students and five classroom teachers were expected to attend on the opening day. The new structure has "high-ceilinged halls that are light and cheerful, painted in white, orange and blue. By contrast, the old school is a small, squat facility -- classrooms, library and a multi-purpose building -- alongside four relocatable units that have served as classrooms for years"(Times, Brenda Stephens, 1981).
Four of the original staff members pictured here (1982) are still working in the school today. Can you name them? Hint: they are all women.

Today, Girdwood School has about 165 students and seven classroom teachers. Many in the community are still hopeful that a high school will be built here soon. In the meantime, Girdwood kids of high school age are bussed to Diamond High School in Anchorage.
March 21, 1999, Girdwood School was in the news. Part of our roof collapsed due to an unusually heavy snow load. Reconstruction of the school entrance, offices and Art/IGNITE/Science Room began in the summer of 1999.

Girdwood School Roof Collapses

On Sunday, March 22, 1999 part of Girdwood School's roof collapsed. The twelve-foot-long overhang covering the entrance to the school collapsed under the heavy snow load. Fortunately no one was in the school at the time and no one was hurt. The collapse of the porch roof blocked the entrance to the school and caused damage to the school offices. The principal, secretary, nurse, community schools offices as well as the Art and Gifted Classroom are no longer usable. Students now must enter the building from the middle and end school doors.