In anticipation of our community discussion on October 16 and 19th we encourage you to learn more about the Academies of Anchorage, to inform your recommendation for the what Steller should do. Here is a brief summary From the ASD Website:
Our collaborative community-driven approach with the Academies of Anchorage will achieve the following:
- Increased community prosperity shared by all
- A strengthened talent pipeline
- Young people are prepared for college, careers, lifelong learning, and leadership.
- Educational equity and justice for all
- Improved student capacity to contribute and go further
- Deep community partnerships are established to connect our youth to their community of Anchorage and Alaska
Our students will graduate from high school ready for college, careers, and life—prepared to compete successfully in the 21st-century workforce. The program enables communities to design and carry out a long-term plan for revitalizing education.
How will the Academies of Anchorage work?
Starting in the fall of 2024, all 9th-grade students at our eight comprehensive high schools will enter the first phase, Freshman Academy. At the core of Freshman Academy is a college and career exploration course. In this course, students will learn about their personal preferences and ideas, career exploration, and options as sophomores. Freshman Academy will also provide transition support to students as they enter high school. The following year, fall of 2025, this first cohort of students, the graduating class of 2028, will enter Career Academies. The end goal of the academy model is to graduate students with a diploma plus dual college credit and/or industry credentials.
Academies are small learning communities that empower students through college and career exposure so they can make timely, informed decisions and discover their true passions while earning early college credit and nationally recognized industry certifications. General education content is taught through the lens of their academy while business and community partners provide authentic experiential learning opportunities at every level.
What changes are being made to Anchorage High Schools
The primary strategy for achieving transformation will be the creation of career-themed academies in our local high schools. The academies will provide students with planned elective pathways within each high school beginning with an orientation experience or Freshman Academy during their 9th-grade year.
Students will choose an academy pathway within one of the available career-themed academies at the end of their freshman year. The academy pathway is made up of a sequence of at least three elective courses aligned to a viable college, trade school and / or career pathway that are completed during the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.
The progression of courses will be coupled with learning experiences that bring businesses and college / trade school partners into the school setting and send students out to college / trade school campuses and into the workplace to explore and apply what they are learning in high school at a deeper level.
What is an Academy Pathway?
A pathway is a sequence of courses within a chosen academy designed to help students prepare for a specific career area while meeting the mandatory requirements for high school graduation.
Participating high schools will be matched with local industry partners who will provide training, internship and job-shadowing opportunities for students, as well as support for teachers who work in specific career-themed academies.