- Anchorage School District
- Current Hot Topics
- Moving to Middle School
Moving to Middle School Project
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Leveling Up Our Students
Starting in August 2024, all 10 ASD comprehensive middle schools will include grades 6-8.
- Begich
- Central
- Clark
- Goldenview
- Gruening
- Hanshew
- Mears
- Mirror Lake
- Romig
- Wendler
Additionally, Steller Secondary will welcome sixth-grade students to its school, starting in 2024-25.
New opportunities and long-term benefits for students
Sixth-grade students in a middle school setting have the opportunity to receive:
- More options for core instruction
- Increased elective opportunities
- Band, orchestra, choir are offered daily
- Career and Technical Education course offerings
- World language electives
- Daily PE classes and participation in sports and activities
- Greater access to school counseling
- Increased daily instruction in social studies & science
- Availability of higher-level math, including algebra & geometry
- Access to middle school sports, clubs and activities
Board Meetings
Resources
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On 2/21/23, the Board voted 6-1 for this year (2023) to be a planning year, and for all (comprehensive) 6th grade students to move to middle school in the 2024/25 school year.
First Day of School – Staggered Start
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Staggered Start Information
- Thursday, August 15 – grades 6-7
- Friday, August 16 – grade 8
All 10 comprehensive middle schools will follow the staggered first day schedule. Class will begin at the new school start times, which is 9:30 a.m. for middle school students.
ASD is staggering the first day of school in August 2024 to support students in a new school environment. Grades 6-7 will start on August 15 while students in 8th grade will start one day later.
By providing students in grades 6-7 a day at school with a smaller student population, schools can prioritize onboarding activities and supports.
This will include:
- Assisting students with locker and classroom navigation
- Team building activities
- Discussions on successful academic practices and clear behavior expectations
- Granting extra time for transitions between classes and lunch and setting expectations for those transitions
Due to the staggered start date where all school staff will be on hand to support students, middle schools will not hold optional orientations or camps for students prior to the first day of school.
FAQs
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Will ALL 6th graders be entering Middle School next year?
Yes and no.
Yes: All sixth-grade students at neighborhood elementary schools will move to middle schools.
This means current 5th grade students (2023-24 school year) will follow the Middle School start/release schedules beginning August 2024. For more information, please see: https://www.asdk12.org/schoolstarttimes.
No: The following alternative and charter schools will maintain their sixth-grade classrooms:
- AK Choice (K-12)
- Alaska Native Cultural Charter School (Pre-K-8)
- Anchorage STrEaM Charter School (6-8)
- Aquarian Charter School (K-6)
- Chugach Optional Elementary School (K-6)
- Denali Montessori School (K-6)
- Eagle Academy Charter School (K-8)
- Family Partnership Correspondence School (K-12)
- Frontier Charter School (K-12)
- Girdwood K-8 School
- Highland Academy Charter School (6-12)
- Northern Lights ABC (K-8)
- Polaris K-12 School
- Rilke Schule Charter School (K-8)
- Whaley School (K-12)
- Winterberry Charter School (K-8)
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Will 6th grade students in Highly Gifted and Immersion programs move to Middle School?
Yes. All Immersion and Highly Gifted program students will attend sixth grade at the feeder middle school for these programs.
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Are there options for my 6th grader other than Middle School?
Any student may enter the lottery to attend alternative and charter schools.For a list of all ASD programs, please visit https://www.asdk12.org/domain/1262. For more information on the lottery, visit https://www.asdk12.org/lottery.
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Will families be able to apply for a zone exemption?
Yes, families may request a zone exemption by entering the lottery. Student acceptance at any particular school outside of their neighborhood boundary is dependent on the space available.
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Will boundaries be changing? Â
The only boundary change for the upcoming 2024-25 school year is in the Dimond Estates neighborhood.
See https://www.asdk12.org/Page/20267 for more information.
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What school will current 2023-24 5th grade students attend for 6th grade in 2024-25 school year?
Use Find Your School to see your zoned neighborhood middle school.
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What is a typical school day for 6th graders in a middle school?Â
Students in middle school have seven classes; students have four core classes (language arts, math, science and social studies), PE and/or Health, and two electives. Schools offer a variety of music and art classes, world languages, Career and Technical Education classes, and other electives of interest. Students have a 30-minute lunch and many schools offer time for physical activity when students are done eating. Some schools offer all seven classes each day, while others use a “block” schedule similar to high school so students have more time in each class, but only see that teacher three or four times each week. Throughout the year, middle schools offer many after school sports and activities.
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Will my student’s middle school provide an open house or other opportunities to get information and see the school?
Yes. Middle schools offer opportunities for new students and families to tour the building, meet staff, and explore educational and extracurricular options prior to the start of the school year. Middle School staff and counselors typically reach out to fifth- and sixth-grade students and families starting in February to announce these opportunities.
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Will 6th graders next year get to participate in sports?
Yes, all sixth graders have access to middle school sports.Visit ASD’s MS Sports webpage for more information.
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Will our 6th grade teachers move to middle school with us?
Because neighborhood elementary schools will not have sixth-grade classrooms starting next year, elementary schools will not need as many teachers. As sixth-grade students move to middle schools, there will be a need for more teachers in middle schools. The district is working with principals to ensure there is adequate staffing in middle schools to support this increased student enrollment. Additionally, the district is communicating to teachers and the Anchorage Education Association to support elementary teachers wishing to transition to middle school so they have the information they need to request the change.
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How do I know which core classes my student will have in middle school?
Middle school counselors are meeting with current fifth- and sixth-grade students to discuss class and elective opportunities for next year. Your student’s elementary teacher will use data such as grades, assessment scores, participation and attendance to help decide which classes are appropriate for your student in middle school. This process will begin in February 2024. Student schedules will be available for families and students in the week before classes start in August 2024. To learn more about the classes offered in our schools, please visit the Teaching and Learning website and explore each content area’s resources: https://www.asdk12.org/Page/5366.
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How will I get to know my student’s new school?
Your student’s middle school will provide many opportunities to tour the facility, learn the academic program and ask questions. Middle school counselors visit feeder elementary schools in January and February to talk about middle school, elective choices, extracurricular opportunities both during and after school, and to answer questions. Your student’s future middle school’s website is a great place to gather useful information. School information can be found by searching “middle” here: https://www.asdk12.org/domain/1262
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How can I learn more about after school sports and activities?
- There is information on ASD’s webpage about after school sports and activities here: https://www.asdk12.org/Page/5459
- To learn more about which sports and activities are offered in middle school, and to see current schedules, follow this link: https://www.asdk12.org/Page/19827
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My student receives special education services in elementary school. Will supports and accommodations be available in middle school?
Yes. Your student’s current teacher and Individualized Education Program (IEP) team will meet in the spring of 2024 to look at your student’s current supports and decide if the same accommodations are needed for middle school. Depending on your student’s needs, supports can be added and/or removed to ensure they have the best educational experience as they move to middle school. Your student’s future middle school special education team will be a part of these conversations and meetings.
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Check back frequently for continued updates
Media
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- Joe Cadotte, KTUU: "Parents voice concerns about Moving to Middle School Project at school board meeting" Published: October 3, 2023
- Morgan Krakow, ADN: "Anchorage School District proposes moving 6th grade to middle school to reduce costs" Published: November 16, 2022
- Katie Anastas, Alaska Public Media: "Anchorage School District proposes moving all sixth grade students to middle schools" Published: November 15, 2022