Chugach Optional Elementary

chugachoptional.asdk12.org/

275 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 6th

School Overview

Chugach Optional Elementary, located in downtown Anchorage, is a unique public school within the Anchorage School District known for its progressive, child-centered approach to education. Unlike traditional schools, it operates on a philosophy that emphasizes multi-age classrooms, thematic learning, and a high degree of parental involvement. By grouping students across different grade levels, the school encourages peer-to-peer mentoring and allows children to progress at their own individual pace rather than adhering to a rigid, age-based curriculum.

The school’s culture is deeply rooted in the concept of a "learning community," where teachers, students, and families work in close partnership to create a personalized educational experience. The curriculum focuses heavily on hands-on exploration, critical thinking, and social-emotional development. Because of its distinct pedagogical model and its status as an "optional" program, the school maintains a strong sense of community and intentionality, making it a popular choice for families seeking an alternative to the standard district classroom environment.

275

Total Students

15.2

Full-Time Teachers

18.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

11.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Chugach Optional Elementary
Demographic	Student Count
White	198
Hispanic	23
Black	1
Asian	8
Two or More	36
American Indian	8
Pacific Islander	1

White
198 (72.0%)
Two or More
36 (13.1%)
Hispanic
23 (8.4%)
Asian
8 (2.9%)
American Indian
8 (2.9%)
Black
1 (0.4%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.4%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Anchorage School District
Phone:	(907)742-3730
Website:	http://chugachoptional.asdk12.org/
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 6th
Total Students:	275
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	15.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	18.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	28
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	4

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 43

Grade 1 42

Grade 2 33

Grade 3 43

Grade 4 41

Grade 5 43

Grade 6 30

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Chugach Optional Elementary
Grade	Student Count
Kindergarten	43
Grade 1	42
Grade 2	33
Grade 3	43
Grade 4	41
Grade 5	43
Grade 6	30

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Chugach Optional Elementary
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	133	48.4%
Male	142	51.6%

Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)