Academies are small learning communities that empower students through college and career exposure so they can make timely, informed decisions and discover their true passions while earning early college credit and nationally recognized industry certifications. General education content is taught through the lens of their academy while business and community partners provide authentic experiential learning opportunities at every level.

Participating high schools will be matched with local industry partners who will provide training, internship and job-shadowing opportunities for students, as well as support for teachers who work in specific career-themed academies.

All comprehensive high schools will have academies and associated pathways. An academy is an opportunity for our young people to learn through a college and career lens of interest. This data-driven model shows academy students outperform their peers with higher grade point averages, increased attendance, and overall improved student performance. The Anchorage School District has embraced this model and wants to ensure all students have the opportunity to learn and apply their learning within a space that interests them while building a strong foundation for a successful future.

A pathway is a sequence of courses within a chosen academy designed to help students prepare for a specific career area while meeting the mandatory requirements for high school graduation.

The primary strategy for achieving transformation will be the creation of career-themed academies in our local high schools. The academies will provide students with planned elective pathways within each high school beginning with an orientation experience or Freshman Academy during their 9th-grade year.

Students will choose an academy pathway within one of the available career-themed academies at the end of their freshman year. The academy pathway is made up of a sequence of at least three elective courses aligned to a viable college, trade school and / or career pathway that are completed during the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

The progression of courses will be coupled with learning experiences that bring businesses and college / trade school partners into the school setting and send students out to college / trade school campuses and into the workplace to explore and apply what they are learning in high school at a deeper level.

In addition to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at West High School and Alaska Middle College School, the academies will offer honors, Advanced Placement, and dual enrollment opportunities. The goal is to increase the number of students taking advanced courses by increasing relevance and rigor in instructional practices.

Academy scheduling is student-driven; elective classes are determined by student requests rather than teacher interest. Recommended electives will be offered to enhance the student’s pathway course sequence, while also having the opportunity to select any global electives offered in the Program of Studies.

Participating high schools will be matched with local industry partners who will provide training, internship and job-shadowing opportunities for students, as well as support for teachers who work in specific career-themed academies.

This is a student-centered model that focuses on what is best for the student. Counselors and administrators will continue to work closely with students and their families to ensure students' needs are met. 

Picking a career pathway in the Academies of Anchorage program does not commit a student to pursuing a specific career. Rather, it provides a relevant framework for academic lessons that has been proven to create a more engaging high school experience for students. Applying lessons to real-life career scenarios can help students learn to work better in a team environment, communicate more clearly, and to better analyze complex topics.

The program is designed for exploration before they’re locked into a college investment. If a student decides they want to shift paths, they may work with their counselor to switch their chosen academy during their high school career. 

The academy model allows students to consider career possibilities without requiring them to commit to a specific field or job title. During their time in the academy, students will learn durable skills and participate in a number of experiences that will support them in life. 

Classes in the arts, music, literature, social studies, physical education and world languages will still be offered by district high schools, even if no career pathway is focused on those areas. These classes are valuable and available to all students, regardless of the academy.

All students will be included in an academy team, and support structures will be developed and provided for those students who need them. Ultimately, each young person’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) will support their learning and will be implemented to ensure student success.

This is a student-centered model that focuses on what is best for the student. Counselors and administrators will continue to work closely with students and their families to ensure students' needs are met.  

We will work with all of our students to identify critical information that might help them narrow their areas of interest. This will be supported with career exploration experiences. Students will also meet with their academy counselor to review their data and discuss all of the options available to them.

If students are still struggling to make their choice, academies and pathways that are more focused on transferable skills will be suggested, but ultimately all students will be placed in an academy and pathway.

JROTC programs will continue to be offered as a global elective, available to all students.

The Anchorage School District and the community know the value and importance of learning a world language. ASD is committed to developing global citizens who can communicate with diverse individuals and communities, and learning a world language greatly improves this outcome. Students will be encouraged to continue with their language immersion experiences and to take a world language. Proficiency in a world language will still be highlighted with the Seal of Biliteracy program. 

At this time, students will still be able to enroll in King Tech courses.

Students will still attend their neighborhood schools and will have an option to lottery into other school choice programs.