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Yes and no.

Yes: All sixth-grade students at neighborhood elementary schools will move to middle schools. 

This means current 5th grade students (2023-24 school year) will follow the Middle School start/release schedules beginning August 2024. For more information, please see: /schoolstarttimes. 

No: The following alternative and charter schools will maintain their sixth-grade classrooms:

• AK Choice (K-12)
• Alaska Native Cultural Charter School (Pre-K-8)
• Anchorage STrEaM Charter School (6-8)

• Aquarian Charter School (K-6)

• Chugach Optional Elementary School (K-6)
• Denali Montessori School (K-6)
• Eagle Academy Charter School (K-8)
• Family Partnership Correspondence School  (K-12)
• Frontier Charter School (K-12)
• Girdwood K-8 School
• Highland Academy Charter School (6-12)
• Northern Lights ABC (K-8)
• Polaris K-12 School
• Rilke Schule Charter School (K-8)
• Whaley School (K-12)
• Winterberry Charter School (K-8)

Yes.  All Immersion and Highly Gifted program students will attend sixth grade at the feeder middle school for these programs.

Any student may enter the lottery to attend alternative and charter schools.For a list of all Ê®·ÖÁùºÏ²Ê programs, please visit  /domain/1262. For more information on the lottery, visit /lottery.

Yes, families may request a zone exemption by entering the lottery. Student acceptance at any particular school outside of their neighborhood boundary is dependent on the space available. 

The only boundary change for the upcoming 2024-25 school year is in the Dimond Estates neighborhood.

See /Page/20267 for more information.

Use to see your zoned neighborhood middle school. 

Students in middle school have seven classes; students have four core classes (language arts, math, science and social studies), PE and/or Health, and two electives. Schools offer a variety of music and art classes, world languages, Career and Technical Education classes, and other electives of interest.  Students have a 30-minute lunch and many schools offer time for physical activity when students are done eating. Some schools offer all seven classes each day, while others use a “block” schedule similar to high school so students have more time in each class, but only see that teacher three or four times each week. Throughout the year, middle schools offer many after school sports and activities.

Yes. Middle schools offer opportunities for new students and families to tour the building, meet staff, and explore educational and extracurricular options prior to the start of the school year. Middle School staff and counselors typically reach out to fifth- and sixth-grade students and families starting in February to  announce these opportunities.

Yes, all sixth graders have access to middle school sports.Visit  Ê®·ÖÁùºÏ²Ê’s MS Sports webpage for more information.

Because neighborhood elementary schools will not have  sixth-grade classrooms starting next year, elementary schools  will not need as many teachers. As sixth-grade students move to middle schools, there will be a need for more teachers in middle schools. The district is working with principals to ensure there is adequate staffing in middle schools to support this increased student enrollment. Additionally, the district is communicating to teachers and the Anchorage Education Association to support elementary teachers wishing to transition to middle school so they have the information they need to request the change. 

Middle school counselors are meeting with current fifth- and sixth-grade students to discuss class and elective opportunities for next year. Your student’s elementary teacher will use data such as grades, assessment scores, participation and attendance to help decide which classes are appropriate for your student in middle school. This process will begin in February 2024. Student schedules will be available for families and students in the week before classes start in August 2024. To learn more about the classes offered in our schools, please visit the Teaching and Learning website and explore each content area’s resources: /Page/5366.

Your student’s middle school will provide many opportunities to tour the facility, learn the academic program and ask questions. Middle school counselors  visit feeder elementary schools in January and February to talk about middle school, elective choices, extracurricular opportunities both during and after school, and to answer questions. Your student’s future middle school’s website is a great place to gather useful information. School information can be found by searching “middle” here: /domain/1262

• There is information on Ê®·ÖÁùºÏ²Ê’s webpage about after school sports and activities here: /Page/5459

• To learn more about which sports and activities are offered in middle school, and to see current schedules, follow this link: /Page/19827

Yes. Your student’s current teacher and Individualized Education Program (IEP) team will meet in the spring of 2024 to look at your student’s current supports and decide if the same accommodations are needed for middle school. Depending on your student’s needs, supports can be added and/or removed to ensure they have the best educational experience as they move to middle school. Your student’s future middle school special education team will be a part of these conversations and meetings.