Joint Base Elmendorf - Richardson JBER  Education

All the elementary schools on JBER are operated by the Anchorage School District; there are no DoDEA schools on the installation. The Anchorage School District (ASD) educates almost 44,000 students, encompasses almost 2,000 square miles, has more than 130 schools and programs and some of the most diverse schools in the U.S.A.  For families living on the installation, there are four elementary schools and once your student reaches middle school and high school, they attend off-base schools. For more information about resources for military families in the school district visit the Resources for Military Parents  page through the ASD website. Middle and high schools offer the complete spectrum of sporting activities for all seasons of the year. For more information visit the Sports and Activities  page.  The Anchorage School District also offers many services for children with special needs. Specific programs are offered for children ages 3-5, grades K-8, and grades 7-12. For complete information visit the Special Education section on the ASD website.

Before and After School care is available through the JBER School Age Centers (SAC); please check with either Illa SAC at 907-384-1068 or Ketchikan SAC at 907-552-5091 to ask which schools they service. Students attending an on-base school with a zone exemption should connect with the appropriate SAC program to check availability. Parents are required to show an approved zone exemption from the school.

Military families who live in Palmer or Wasilla ( of JBER) and want to enroll their children in public school will register them through the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Please visit the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District website for more information.

School Liaison

The Military Child Education Program School Liaisons were established to assist military personnel and/or their families with information and resources intended to ease the transition of dependent children from one duty location to the next and to:

• Advocate for the educational needs of military children and will assist military connected families with information and referral regarding local school districts and other educational options including home schooling, virtual programs, private schools, and charter schools.
• Ensure school personnel are aware of the unique issues impacting military students (e.g., deployments, frequent moves, etc).
• Assist parents with any unresolved challenges with the local schools and districts, by providing support, resource information and next steps.
• Provide information on the JBER/Anchorage School District Partnership Program (Service Members volunteering in local schools).

Alaska is also a member of Interstate Compact, which recognizes the transition and deployment related issues unique to military children. For more information, please contact the JBER School Liaisons at the phone numbers/email below or visit  the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission.

School Liaison Officers: Adele Daniels and Holly Warners (907-384-1505/7500) or email 673FSS.JBER.SLO@us.af.mil.

The Anchorage School District offers several learning options  students in Kindergarten through 12th grade; traditional school (children attend school on site), virtual school (completely on-line learning), ASD Flex program (combines in-person and online learning), and home school. Other programs such as English Language Learners and Gifted and Special Education are based on student need and have their own admission requirements. Please visit the Enrollment section of the School District site to learn more.

Charter schools

Charter schools offer alternative teaching methods and more independence than regular public schools. Acceptance into an alternative or charter school is based on space availability and grade level. Parents must provide their own transportation to charter schools. Visit the Charter School section of the school district website for more information.

Contact the School Liaison Officers for more information at 907-384-1505 or 907-384-7500.