Superintendent Message

Dear ASD Community,

The 2026-27 school year is underway, and it has been great to see our schools filled again with students, educators, activities, and learning.

The first few weeks of school give us an opportunity to see what is working, where students and educators need more support, and where we can improve. That same mindset is guiding our work across the Anchorage School District (ASD) this year.

Our focus is clear: student achievement, responsible stewardship, and stronger community engagement.

Our new Academic Strategic Plan is helping us bring greater focus and consistency to teaching and learning. A lot of that work is happening behind the scenes, making sure our principals and educators have the support, systems, and clear communication they need to focus on students.

We are also continuing to make thoughtful financial decisions. We are grateful to the Alaska State Legislature for securing additional one-time education funding through House Bill 263 (HB 263), which will provide ASD approximately $32.2 million. This builds on recent investments that restored funding for more than 100 educator positions and provides greater certainty as we plan ahead. Significant financial challenges remain, and responsible stewardship means putting resources to work for students today while planning carefully for tomorrow.

One of the things I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about is how we can do a better job listening to and communicating with our community.

That is why we’re launching ASD Listens: Reflect & Refocus, our new approach to community engagement. It is built around a simple commitment: Listen. Learn. Act. Report Back.

The first step is the ASD Community Values Survey, open September 8-29. We want to better understand what matters to you, where we can improve, what we need to explain more clearly, and where we need to strengthen trust.

This is about more than asking for feedback. If we ask for your perspective, we have a responsibility to tell you what we heard and what happens next.

There is a lot of good happening in our schools, and there is also work ahead. We are committed to both celebrating our progress and being honest about where we can improve.

Thank you for being part of that work.

With gratitude,

Jharrett Bryantt, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Anchorage School District

September Calendar & Events

We remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost on September 11, 2001.

We honor the courage of first responders, service members, and ordinary citizens who became heroes that day.

We reflect on the resilience, strength, and unity of our Nation, and the importance of coming together as a community.

We will Never Forget 🇺🇸

Attendance Awareness Month

Sept. 7 - Labor Day - No School

Sept. 11-13 - Rosh Hashanah

Sept. 20-21 - Yom Kippur 

Sept. 30 - Orange Shirt Day

Hispanic Heritage Month

Sept. 15 - Oct. 15

First Day of Pre-K & Kindergarten

It was a happy, happy first day of school to our Pre-K and Kindergarten students districtwide!

Team ASD checked out Klatt Elementary, where parents and staff were all smiles and excited to welcome their new learners to school 💙

Back to School Pictures

Aquarian Charter School welcomes students with the Boot Scoot Boogie for the start of the new year. 

Huffman Elementary kindergarten teacher Jenny Carlson working with her new learners for their first day of school. 

Rogers Park Elemenetary P.E. teacher Jill Singleton put students to work for the first days of school.  

UAA Women's Basketball and Dr. Bryantt greeting students with Gladys Wood Principal Nick Straw.

ASD Student Nutrition New Meals: Alaska's News Source Story

🍎🥕 Real food, real people!

Check out this great story from Alaska's News Source highlighting how ASD Student Nutrition is transforming school meals across the district — from more choices and fresh, scratch-made food to a service model that gives students more say in what’s on their plate.

It’s a four-year transformation designed with students at the center.

Bowman Elementary's New Playground

Playtime just got even better at Bowman Elementary 💙

Families, staff and community members came together to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Bowman’s new Inclusive Playground!

Designed so children of all abilities can play, connect and have fun together, this new space is all about making sure everyone has a place to belong.

A big thank you to the community, partners and supporters who helped make this special playground possible! Let the playing begin!

A proud ASD alum, Dr. Ben Crawford attended Spring Hill Elementary, Hanshew Middle School and Service High School before pursuing a career as an optometrist and business owner of Accurate Vision Clinic.

His journey from ASD student to longtime healthcare professional is a powerful example of how the experiences students have in our schools can help shape their future.

From academics to athletics, Ben says his time in ASD helped him develop the discipline, determination and strong work ethic that have been instrumental throughout his professional career.

As part of our ASD Alumni Spotlight series, hear from Dr. Crawford as he shares his journey into the professional world and reflects on how his experiences as an ASD student helped prepare him for success beyond graduation.

Take care of your Chromebook

An ASD-issued Chromebook is an important learning tool. Help your student start the year strong by taking a few minutes to:

• Keep food and drinks away from the Chromebook.

• Carry and store it safely.

• Charge it each night and handle the charging cord carefully.

• Use their ASD account and keep their password safe.

• Make responsible choices when using the internet.

If a Chromebook is damaged or stops working, students should let a teacher know and ask for help.

Families: Review these reminders with your student and visit the district’s news item for more Chromebook care and responsible-use tips.

AK STAR Assessments state, district, and school results available Sept. 3, 2026

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) will publicly release spring 2026 state, district and school-level assessment results Thursday, Sept. 3.

Results will include the Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR), Alaska Science Assessment and DLM Alternate Assessment.

Families and community members can view the results through:

DEED Assessment Results

ASD Data Dashboard

Honoring Chin’an — “thank you” in Upper Cook Inlet Dena’ina — by sharing messages of gratitude from across our school community for those who make an impact every day

This week’s message spotlights Christy Ante, a secretary at Bear Valley Elementary:

"Christy has given herself a new challenge in a new position this year, which she has already shown how impactful she is. Her positivity and thoughtfulness is greatly admired."

- SBBS Teacher

8/18/2026 School Board Recap

Key takeaways: 

Board Approves Resolution to Avoid School Closures in 2026-27

Ad hoc Committee will examine Rightsizing, community engagement and instructional pathways. 

Superintendent Outlines Priorities for the 2026-27 School Year

Student achievement, responsible stewardship, and stronger community engagement will guide the District's work this year. 

School Board Meetings

Tuesday, September 15

School Board work session and School Board meeting

Superintendent

Jharrett Bryantt, Ed. D.

Anchorage School Board

Carl Jacobs, President

Kelly Lessens, Vice President

Rachel Blakeslee, Treasurer

Margo Bellamy, Clerk

Dora Wilson

Paul McDonogh

Pat Higgins

Email all Board members

Anchorage School District

5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.

Anchorage, AK 99504

907-742-4000

asdk12.org