College, Career and Life Ready for All Students

  • Education plays a vital role in preparing students in the Anchorage School District to become engaged, productive members of our culturally rich community. Our community envisions students empowered by real world experiences with access to educational opportunities within and beyond the walls of school buildings. The Anchorage School District is boldly committed to transforming how we prepare students for life, college and careers within Alaska and across the globe.

Why the Shift?

College Ready

  • College

     

    Over 70% of living wage jobs will require something beyond a high school diploma; we must ensure more students are academically prepared to access post- secondary learning opportunities such as college and technical training.

  • What is the academy model?

  • Why reimagine the high school model?

  • How is Anchorage reimagining high schools?

  • What has happened so far in the process?

  • What changes will be made to Anchorage high schools as part of this process?

  • What does this look like in other communities?

  • Who will develop the master plan that guides this process?

  • What is an academy pathway?

  • Who will be responsible for expanding business partners for an academy?

  • Will every career pathway be offered at every school?

  • When will these changes begin?

  • How will this program provide exposure to career opportunities?

  • How can community and business members be involved in the work?

Career Ready

  • Climb

     

    Anchorage’s economic future depends on a robust, innovative workforce; we must provide educational pathways for all students that lead to in-demand, high-wage career opportunities.

  • What professional development will teachers need to be prepared for academies?

  • What staff members are in an academy?

  • What academy would a core content area teacher teach in?

  • Why not just support what we already have?

  • How will elective classes be impacted?

  • How can teachers be involved in the work?

Life Ready

  • Life ready

     

    College and career readiness programs have long focused on academic knowledge and behaviors, but social skills, interpersonal skills, and transition skills are taught separately; we must integrate these skills that are critical to helping students navigate their paths through life.

  • What should my student do if they are not interested in the career pathways offered by their school?

  • Will advanced classes such as AP, IB, and Dual-Enrollment still be offered in an academy model?

  • My student is interested in topics that are not part of a career pathway, such as the visual / performing arts, world languages and literature. Will they still be able to study those subjects?

  • Will all students be part of an academy?

  • How will students with disabilities participate in the academy model?

  • How does the academy model impact a military dependent that transfers to ASD once the school year has started, or later in their high school career?

  • What if my student is new to the school or community?

  • What happens if a student changes their mind about their chosen academy?

  • How are students who do not have a specific interest placed in an academy?

  • Will JROTC continue to be an option for my child?

  • How will World Language classes and immersion programs be impacted?

  • Will students still have the opportunity to attend King Tech?

  • Will students need to transfer to other schools?

How will we shift? 

    • Deepen community-wide understanding of the benefits and features of transforming the middle and high school experiences using a community-driven approach
    • Achieve community-wide consensus on and ownership of a vision for transformation. 
    • Strengthen our partnerships with business and the community to ensure the transformation aligns to the Anchorage of tomorrow
    • Create a community-wide three-year primary plan for achieving the vision, to include: work-based learning, industry internships, and defined career pathways

Interested in more information?