Education

There are no DoD schools on Fort Wainwright. All public schools that military children attend are in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. 

There are no DoD schools on Fort Wainwright. All public schools that military children attend are in the Fairbanks North Star School District. For more information contact the School Liaison Officer at 907-353-1043.

The district's curriculum goal is to provide all students with an excellent educational program that meets basic academic needs, sets high expectations, and provides opportunities for each student to excel and develop individual talents.

The Alternative Learning Systems program acts as an umbrella for secondary alternative programs in the district. These programs include the Career Education Center, Guided Independent Study and Effie Kokrine Charter School, which offers students an interdisciplinary curriculum, school to career opportunities, extracurricular activities and smaller pupil teacher ratios. Also available is the OPTIONS Teen Parenting program, Re-Entry and the START Program.

Special Education

The primary purpose of the district's Special Education department is to provide the least restrictive and most appropriate education for all students. All schools in the district offer special education programs. The pre-school program serving children ages 3-5 identifies and teaches children who are developmentally delayed or have communicative disorders; learning disabled students who need only minimal support to succeed in the regular classroom. Communicatively disordered students are placed in the Gifted and Talented Program.

The school district offers a comprehensive special education program whose goal is to provide the least restrictive and most appropriate education for all students. All schools in the district offer special education services but not all services are offered at every school. These services include pre-school for children ages 3-5 who are developmentally delayed or have communicative disorders; resource programs for learning disabled students; speech/language programs for communicatively disordered students; programs for emotionally disturbed students, and a gifted/talented program for students who score in the top 5% of students nationwide. Students may also be placed in Intensive Resource or the Bridge Program Federal law requires that all public schools provide special education opportunities for students, ages 3-20.

Extended Day Kindergarten

Most elementary schools now offer extended day kindergarten programs but the hours vary from school to school.

Grading System

The grading system for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District may vary and is determined by each individual teacher. There is a state High School Qualifying Exam required for graduation. There are 21 elementary schools, 4 middle schools and 4 high schools and or Jr./Sr. high school.

Test Scores

The average Fairbanks student is in the 63rd percentile on national standardization tests. Class size varies but the district average is 24 students per class. The average Fairbanks student has significantly higher composite SAT and ACT scores than the national average. State law requires benchmark exams for grades 4,6 and 8.

Transportation

The state provides bus service to students living more that 1 1/2 miles from the school that are attending. 80% of students ride because of distance, while 16% ride due to hazardous walking routes and 4% are special education students.

Northern Services Meal Prices

Elementary:

Breakfast --- $2.00

Lunch --- $3.50

Secondary:

Breakfast --- $2.25

Lunch --- $3.75

Activities

There are many extra curricular activities available for students to participate in. Some of these include: various sports, music programs-band and choir, student government and academic clubs.

Out of Attendance Area Registration

Students may attend schools outside their attendance area if space is available and they provide their own transportation. Middle school and high school students wishing to attend a school outside their attendance area should register at the school they wish to attend. Parents wishing to send their elementary aged children to a different school need to fill out a request form at the elementary school they wish to attend.

Basic Immunization Requirements

To start kindergarten, all students are required to have at least 4 DPT (with one after their fourth birthday), at least 3 OPV (one after the fourth birthday), 2 MMR and they must have started the Hep A and B series also the PPD and it must be given in the state of Alaska to be valid. A TD/DTT booster is required ten years after the last DPT shot. Most students will need this at about age 14 or 15. All students entering kindergarten and first grade will need a second MMR to enter school.There are a number of private schools in the local area. They consist of pre-schools, elementary schools, middle schools and high schools, please call the School Liaison Officer at 907-353-1043.

Graduation Requirements

To receive the regular high school diploma presented by the Board of Education, students will be required to have satisfactorily and fully completed a course of study, which meets those requirements established by the Board of Education including a required state high school completion exam. Students will be required to have completed a minimum of 22.5 credits in no less than seven semesters, including 9th grade, and distributed within the following subject areas:

• English 4 credits
• Social Studies 3.5 credits
• Science 3 credits
• Math 3 credits (Algebra I required)
• Physical Ed. 1 1/2 credits
• Health 1/2 credit
• Electives 7 credits

Some private schools may offer a tuition assistance program. Ask for application forms and information on school programs when contacting any of these schools.

There are many educational opportunities at Fort Wainwright and the Fairbanks community. There are undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degree programs as well as vocational and technical programs available.  Whether you pursue your education through traditional or non-traditional means, the community offers you the opportunity to accomplish your goals. Winter months are a popular time to take courses. Registrations for each term are announced for both local community schools and courses given on post. Contact the Education Center for more information at DSN 317-361-7486 or 907-361-6355.