The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is a public school district based in Fairbanks, Alaska (USA). With a student enrollment of slightly over 14,000, it is the state's second largest public school district.[1]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2024)
In 1904 the first public school opened in Fairbanks.[4] This building was made of wood, and was destroyed by a fire on December 4, 1932. A replacement facility, named Main School and now known as Fairbanks City Hall, opened on January 22, 1934. Additional schools began opening circa the 1940s and 1950s.[5]
For the 2011–2012 school year, enrollment in the district was 14,260. For the 2021–2022 school year, enrollment was 12,268, down 14% from the 2011–2012 school year.[6]
In February 2022, the school board made several decisions, including one to close three elementary schools in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, which would save the district $3 million a year. The school district made the decision based a on $20 million budget shortfall. Alaska Public Media reported that "The district will also restructure district middle schools to encompass grades 6 through 8, while most elementary schools will become K-5 schools."[7] In 2022 the school district set the grade configuration of middle schools to grades 6-8.[8]
It was formerly Badger Road Elementary School and renamed in 2017.[10] The school was renamed because the previous namesake, Badger Road, was named after Harry Badger (died in 1965), who had, in 1916, been convicted of committing a criminal act against a child.[11]
Ben Eielson Junior/Senior High School (Eielson AFB) - The school closed in 2024.[12] The closure was due to a loss in funds.[13]
Elementary schools
Anderson Elementary School (Eielson AFB, grades K-2) - In 2022 Anderson closed.[14]
Joy Elementary School (Fairbanks, later a K-8 school) - Closed in 2022.[15]
Main Elementary School - Originally named Main School, it opened on January 22, 1934 to replace a school which had burned down. It received its final name by 1955. It closed in 1976, had several other uses, and became Fairbanks City Hall.[5]
Nordale Elementary School - In 2022 it was scheduled to become a facility for alternative education programs.[8]
Alternative schools
Howard Luke Academy (high school)[16] - It was named after Howard Luke.[17] Effie Kokrine Charter School is located in the ex-Howard Luke facility.[18]
Enrollment
2007-2008 School Year: 14,227 Students[19]
2006-2007 School Year: 15,017 Students[20]
2005-2006 School Year: 14,677 Students[21]
2004-2005 School Year: 14,754 Students[22]
2003-2004 School Year: 14,810 Students[23]
Demographics
There were a total of 14,227 students enrolled in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District during the 2007–2008 school year. Of these, 14,031 were enrolled in grades K-12 and 196 were pre-elementary (early childhood) students. The racial makeup of the district was 66.65% White, 14.45% Alaska Native, 8.34% African American, 5.48% Hispanic, 4.05% Asian, 0.79% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and 0.24% American Indian.[1]
^"In Memory of Howard Luke"(PDF). The Council. Tanana Chiefs Conference. November 2019. pp. 4–5. - Cited: p. 5.
^"Home". Effie Kokrine Charter School. Retrieved December 22, 2024 – via University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Charter School will be located in the School District's Howard Luke Academy on Loftus Road in Fairbanks, Alaska. - The address is, as of December 2024: "601 Loftus Road Fairbanks AK 99709"
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