A Brief Overview of Polaris K12
Mission Statement
Polaris K-12 School has an evolving program that creates an environment challenging its students, teachers and parents to personal excellence, lifelong learning, and ethical responsibility to self, community, and world.
Our Program
- Polaris is the only urban public K-12 school in Alaska.
- Enrollment is up to 500 students in the thirteen grade levels.
- All classes are multiage: Elementary Family Groups span two grades, for example K-1, 2-3, 4-5. Secondary students meet daily before lunch in 6-12 Advisories.
- The curriculum is student-centered.
- Students have more choices and more responsibilities.
- All community members are on a first name basis.
- Experiential learning involves hands-on materials and fieldtrips.
- The goal is for students to be self-directed with a lifelong desire to learn.
- Student-led student-parent-teacher conferences are based on portfolios.
- All day, focused, intensive studies are incorporated into the curriculum. The Fall Intensive is for secondary students only for two weeks. The Winter Intensive is for all students K-12 and lasts two weeks. The Spring Intensive is three weeks long for 6-12 and two weeks for K-5. Fees vary and a scholarship program is available.
- Letter grades are recorded quarterly for secondary students only.
- Principal Denise Greene-Wilkinson can be reached at wilkinson_denise@asdk12.org & Assistant Principal Michelle Johanson at Johansen_Michelle@asdk12.org.
History
Polaris K-12 was envisioned in response to waiting lists at other open optional programs. It opened in 1994 in the converted Polar Movie Theatre with 6 portables. The addition, renovation and playground were completed in 2005. The sports field and landscaping were completed in the summer of 2006. An outdoor Habitat learning area has been in development since 1997.
Governance
Within ASD guidelines, the school policies and governance is by an advisory board to the principal made up of student, parent, and staff representatives. Service to the school community is expected of all students & parents.