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.

These are some of the hardest decisions we face as a district. Anchorage’s student enrollment has steadily declined, which affects how we staff, operate, and sustain our schools.

After a careful and consistent review, ASD is recommending the closure of Fire Lake Elementary and Lake Otis Elementary at the end of the 2025–26 school year.

Each school was evaluated using clear, fair criteria that considered:

• Enrollment and population trends
• Building condition and maintenance needs
• Access to programs and student services
• Transportation routes and travel times
• Space available in nearby schools

We know these changes are not easy. They are necessary to protect classroom resources, strengthen educational opportunities, and build a more stable future for Anchorage’s public schools.

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

Students from Fire Lake Elementary will attend one of the following schools next year: Chugiak Elementary School, Birchwood ABC, or Eagle River Elementary School.

Students from Lake Otis Elementary will attend one of the following schools next year: Rogers Park Elementary School, College Gate Elementary School, Tudor Elementary School, Kasuun Elementary School, or Airport Heights Elementary School.

If approved by the School Board families will receive detailed information about school assignments, transportation, and opportunities to visit their new schools before the move.

ASD is committed to making these transitions as thoughtful, supportive, and student-centered as possible.

Yes. Each receiving school was carefully reviewed for space, staffing, and program needs. They have the capacity to welcome additional students while maintaining safe, effective learning environments.

If the plan moves forward, staffing will be adjusted to keep class sizes consistent and ensure students continue to receive the attention and support they need.

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 school facilities is an important part of the Rightsizing ASD plan. It allows every building to keep serving students and families, even as enrollment changes across the city.

Under the current recommendation:

• Eagle Academy Charter School would relocate to the Fire Lake Elementary building.
• Rilke Schule German School of Arts and Sciences would relocate to the Lake Otis Elementary building.

Rilke Schule’s current facility would then be repurposed for other community uses, such as child care, specialized programs, or educational partnerships that support Anchorage families.

This approach keeps neighborhood campuses active, honors their history, and ensures every ASD building continues to advance learning in meaningful and lasting ways.

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.

All current employees will have placement opportunities for the next school year. ASD is committed to supporting every staff member through this transition, and the Talent Management team will work directly with affected employees to ensure a smooth process.

If approved by the Board, elementary boundaries will adjust to accommodate closing-school students into their new schools. 

Additionally, the district is proposing adjustments to select neighborhoods in the Rogers Park and Taku elementary school neighborhoods to move those students to middle and high schools physically closer to their homes, and help relieve overcrowding at Romig Middle School and West High School.

Community voice matters. Families staff and neighbors all play a role in shaping these recommendations and ensuring they reflect what our community values most. A series of Community Conversations were held in late October-early November. 

Other ways to participate:

• Attend School Board meetings (see the School Board meeting calendar)
• Email feedback to SchoolBoard@asdk12.org

Your input matters as we work together to build a stronger, more sustainable future for Anchorage’s public schools.

This timeline allows time for community input and thoughtful review before the Anchorage School Board votes on the 2025–26 Rightsizing ASD recommendation.

Timeline:

• September–October 2025: Data review, proposal development, and community outreach
• October 7, 2025: School Board work session presentation of recommendations
• October 29–November 1, 2025: Community Conversations
• November 18, 2025: School Board vote on Rightsizing recommendations

2026–27 School Year: Implementation of approved closures and charter relocations

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

This work began before the 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.

Repurposing is a key part of this year’s Rightsizing plan, and one exciting new focus is expanding access to child care for Anchorage families.

ASD is partnering with Kids’ Corps Inc. (KCI) Head Start to move its headquarters and several child care classrooms to Fairview Elementary School. A portion of seats in this program will be reserved for children of ASD employees.

The district is also exploring ways to repurpose additional school space for licensed child care providers. Classrooms could be leased to serve ASD and municipal employees, including first responders, while also supporting families across the community.

This effort reflects what Rightsizing is all about: using space wisely, meeting real community needs, and strengthening the connection between our schools and the families they serve.

ASD staff is supporting new students and families arriving from Western Alaska in many ways. To date, less than a dozen new students are attending schools that are proposed to close. At this time, the superintendent is committed to looking at student numbers each day and will consider changing needs before any decision is made. At this time, yhere is no change to the Rightsizing proposal in front of the School Board for discussion at its Nov. 4 meeting with a vote scheduled for Nov. 18.