Congratulations to the Eagle River High School JROTC cadets for claiming the Alaska JROTC Drill Team State Championship — their 2nd straight title and 5th championship in the last 7 years!

Dear ASD Community,

Across Anchorage, the snow is beginning to melt, and we are finally heading into break-up. It is a familiar shift in Alaska, and in our schools, you can feel it too. There is a renewed energy in classrooms, activities are picking up, and our 2026 graduation celebrations are shaping up to be some of the best yet.

This is always a meaningful time for our students, families, and staff. It is also when we begin preparing in earnest for the year ahead.

This spring, that work comes with some real challenges.

Like many school districts across Alaska and the country, ASD is navigating rising costs, aging facilities, and declining enrollment. That reality has required us to make difficult decisions that will impact programs, staffing, and school communities next school year.

We know these decisions affect our entire community. Our focus is to protect what matters most: strong classrooms, safe and supportive school environments, and meaningful opportunities for every student to succeed. As plans for next year continue to take shape, families will hear directly from us about next steps.

There is also an important opportunity for our community to support our schools right now. Anchorage voters are considering two measures that directly impact our schools:

Proposition 1 would fund critical security and safety upgrades across our schools
Proposition 9 is a one-time levy that would help retain more than 80 educators and reduce projected increases in class sizes next year

These measures are about maintaining stable, supportive learning environments for our students. Election Day is next Tuesday, April 7.

Even with a balanced budget in place, we know challenges remain. Without a long-term, sustainable state fiscal plan, school districts across Alaska continue to face uncertainty. We are planning ahead to navigate that uncertainty responsibly and protect the future of our schools.

For now, our focus is on finishing the school year strong, celebrating our students, and supporting every school community through the final months of the year. Anchorage has always come together in moments like this, and I am confident in our ability to do so again for our students.

With gratitude,

Jharrett Bryantt, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Anchorage School District

For More Information On ASD 2026 Graduations, Please Click Here

Download The Schedule

Team ASD will do live coverage complete with interviews with graduates and families for the traditional 8 high schools and Alaska Middle College School

The Anchorage School District 2025-26 school year calendar has been adjusted to reflect make-up days due to weather closures. Please mark your calendars with the following updates:

Friday, April 17 – Now a full school day
Thursday, May 21 – New last day of school for students
Friday, May 22 – New last workday for teachers

For More Information On Calendar Changes Please Click Here

Pre‑Enrollment for Kindergarten will be available from

April 23 through May 29 and will re-open on July 15th.

Monthly tips, resources and events for our incoming Kindergartners and their families

Is your child starting kindergarten in the Anchorage School District?

Get ready with us!

Ready, Set…Kindergarten! helps families prepare for kindergarten with simple, practical supports focused on what matters most before the first day of school.

Sign up for monthly readiness resources and learn more here

Opportunity for Secondary Special Education Students and their Family: Transition Expo, April 25

Planning for Life After High School?

Students with disabilities (ages 14–21) and their families are invited to attend the ASD Secondary Transition Expo — your one-stop opportunity to connect with adult service agencies, employment providers, and postsecondary programs.

Saturday, April 25, from 12:00–4:00 PM at the ASD Education Center

Learn about available supports, eligibility requirements, and how services align with goals in employment, education, and independent living.

🔎 Breakout sessions include:

• DVR Step-by-Step: From Referral to Employment

• Will My Child Qualify for Disability Services? A Waiver Guide for Families

• Supported Employment: What It Actually Looks Like

🤝 Participating agencies include:

Stone Soup Group
Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education
State of Alaska, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
UAA Center for Human Development
Hope Community Resources
The Arc of Anchorage
Assets, Inc.

Take the next step with confidence — we hope to see you there!

Celebrating Chin’an — “thank you” in Upper Cook Inlet Dena’ina — we’re continuing to share heartfelt messages of gratitude from across our school community, lifting up the people who make a difference every day

This week’s message is from a student to Anchorage Police Department Officer and School Resource Officer (SRO) Rich Sargent who serves Dimond High School and surrounding schools.

"Dear Officer Sargent,

Thank you so much for all you do both in and out of our school. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and we all appreciate you very much.

You help keep our school safe and create an environment where students can feel comfortable and focused on learning.

It means a lot to know there is someone we can trust and turn to when we need help or support.

Your kindness, dedication, and positive attitude make a big difference in our school community.

Thank you for taking the time to connect with students and for always being there when it matters most."

Sincerely,

Alyvia Tuttle

- Alyvia Tuttle, Dimond High School Student

To read more Chin’an recognitions, please visit: https://www.asdk12.org/district/chinan/chinan

Check out our podcast, ASD Shine Bright, which highlights the awesome things students and staff are doing in the Anchorage School District.

Listen to amazing stories, journeys, challenges, and successes.

Check out the latest episodes below:

In this episode of ASD Shine Bright, the East Story Squad catches up with Janice Strickland, who has spent over 50 years in education — including 36 years at East High School. She talks about her passion for teaching, her love for French culture, and the joy she finds in helping students discover the best version of themselves for today and the years ahead.

Click Here to Watch the ASD Shine Bright Podcast Playlist

Click Here to Listen to the ASD Shine Bright Podcast on Spotify

The updated Rightsizing plan balances resources, staffing, and programs so every school can thrive, giving students more opportunities and teachers the support they need.

These changes, including closures and consolidations, will take effect at the end of the 2025–26 school year.

To Read The Updated FY26 Rightsizing Plan, Please Click Here

3/17/2026 School Board Recap

Key takeaways:

Goal Monitoring Discussion on College, Career, Life Ready and Math Proficiency
School Board approves adoption of tentative agreement: Teamsters Local 959, Bus Drivers & Attendant Employees
Superintendent addresses questions from the Board on the timeline and public notice of school closure decisions
Board postpones approval of Rightsizing moving costs to the next meeting
Motion to rescind the closure of Campbell STEM Elementary School fails

To Read The Full School Board Recap, Please Click Here

This year’s school bond has been assigned Proposition 1 on the April 2026 ballot for the Municipality of Anchorage.

You can learn more on the 2026 Bond webpage.

Also on the April 2026 ballot is Proposition 9, a one-time school tax levy.

If approved, it would allow the Municipality to fund ASD to the maximum level allowed by state law, generating up to $11.8 million.

The School Board has directed that every dollar go toward protecting classrooms by retaining 80 plus educators and reducing the projected class size increases.

At the April 6 Regular School Board Meeting, ASD Memorandum #153 will be presented as a non-action item. The memo includes an outline of how teaching positions (FTEs) would be distributed across schools if voters approve Proposition 9 and the School Board approves the plan.

ASD Memorandum #153

Classroom teachers by school

You can learn more details on the Special School Tax Levy webpage.