Schools new and renewed
Aging facilities, combined with growing
enrollment, has placed our
high schools at the top of the
priority list for capital improvement
projects. Funding for design and
construction of Dimond High
School’s replacement and the new south Anchorage area high
school was approved by voters in the April 1999 bond
issue. The new Dimond high school opened in the
fall of 2003, South Anchorage High School
in the fall of 2004 and Eagle River Hgih School opened in the fall of 2005. Several other high schools are
being renovated to provide quality educational environments
for students and teachers. Construction on the Muldoon area
middle school in May 2005.
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Safety/shelter sites
Safety is a top priority at the Anchorage School District. District
officials work closely with local police and fire department
personnel. Each school has an individual safety plan that details
what action to take in the event of an emergency situation, and
schools practice evacuation exercises regularly. In addition, emergency
shelter sites have been identified that can be used in case of
a natural disaster. A new federal grant will bring 13 uniformed
police officers into our major high schools in the fall of 2003.
The district has active mediation programs which are expanding
to include an anti-bullying program.
Bilingual student instruction The district provides support for
English language learners. An extensive training program
for
classroom staff is also under way.
Smaller learning
communities
The district is in the process of
creating smaller learning communities (SLCs) within
its high schools. The main goals of the SLCs
are to personalize education for
students, increase opportunities in
academic achievement, and create a
safe and welcoming environment at
school. By dividing large schools into smaller parts
(houses), the district will be able to better serve
students. |
