Every student in Anchorage deserves to learn in a school that is strong, fully staffed, and well-supported. Over time, some schools have become overcrowded while others now serve far fewer students than they were built for.

Rightsizing helps us restore balance. It is about making sure every school has the teachers, programs, and resources it needs to thrive. When schools are right-sized, students have access to more learning opportunities, teachers have the support they need to focus on instruction, and school communities become stronger and more connected.

Through every step of this process, one guiding question leads the way: What best serves students and families in the long run?

In December 2024, the School Board directed the District administration to propose closure, consolidation or repurposing of at least one school this year. 

Our Community and schools are changing

• 15% decrease in student enrollment from 2010 to 2025 (that’s 7,487 fewer students)
• 137% increase in correspondence school students from 2010 to 2025
• Well over $1 Billion maintenance backlog for ASD’s 91 schools and operational buildings
• The average ASD school building is nearly 40 years old

Rightsizing will allow the District to continue providing students with the quality education they deserve. Students receive better educational opportunities in fully-staffed and fully-resourced school buildings, this means a full-time counselor, a full-time nurse and other support staff who can be at the school every day. This will help students get the best education possible. Data support this and the District has seen it first hand through this multi-year Rightsizing process. ASD students who moved to other schools after their schools closed are thriving.

What factors were used in the evaluation of schools?

Major factors included in metric, or rubric, to evaluate every school include the following:

• Educational service provided
• Special program needs
  • Immersion, Optional, ABC, Montessori, etc.
  • Title I
  • CEP (free breakfast & lunch schools)
• Special education needs
• Combined grade (combination) classes
• Enrollment/population
  • current enrollment, past trends and five-year predictions
  • geographic populations of 0-4-year-old children
  • projected city population

• new home construction
• birth rates

• Boundary changes and transportation
  • efficiencies in boundary changes
  • time on school bus
  • additional route needs
  • transportation impacts on broader community (traffic)
• Building condition
  • maintenance needs
  • major renovation needs
  • overall utilization
• Budget
  • transportation costs
  • cost per student at schools
  • value of cost savings

We know that change is personal, especially when it involves your school community. Students will have opportunities to visit their new schools, meet teachers, and connect with classmates before the start of the school year.

Staff at closing schools will have placement opportunities for the following year and will receive ongoing support from our Talent Management team. We will also work closely with receiving schools to ensure programs, services, and traditions continue to serve students well.

Repurposing helps ASD make the most of what we already have. It connects thriving charter schools with the space they need while keeping neighborhood campuses full of learning and life.

Moving charter programs into district-owned buildings provides room to grow, reduces lease costs, and keeps valuable facilities focused on education.

It is a smart, student-centered step that strengthens programs, preserves community value, and ensures every school building continues to serve Anchorage students for years to come.

Yes. Each charter program’s enrollment and instructional needs were reviewed to ensure the new facilities fit their academic models. Minor adjustments may be made to tailor each building to the program’s specific needs.

Moves would take place over the summer. Charter schools would open in their new buildings at the start of the 2026–27 school year, ensuring no disruption to learning.

Rightsizing helps ASD use resources wisely so more funding can go directly to students, teachers, and classrooms.

This work began before 2020, as Anchorage faced declining enrollment and increasing costs to operate underused schools. Closing and consolidating schools saves an estimated $300,000 to $800,000 per year for each elementary building, depending on its size and needs.

Every dollar saved through Rightsizing helps protect programs, support great teaching, and keep the focus on creating strong, sustainable schools for students today and in the future.

ASD is the operator and maintainer of school buildings but the actual facility and property belong to the Municipality of Anchorage (MoA). When a school is closed and the building is deemed excess (no use to ASD), the building and the property are returned to the MoA. 

This typically occurs when maintenance and construction needs exceed what would normally be expected for facility improvements

Abbott Loop Elementary School and Campbell STEM Elementary School buildings are deemed excess to the District’s needs and will be returned to the Municipality of Anchorage.

District administration discussed STEM education at the School Board meeting on April 7. You may view it here, starting at the 56:10 mark.

You can view the boundary changes on this page. When on that page, select the designated school at the top of the page to see the boundary adjustments.