The Anchorage School District has announced an extension to its academic calendar, adding two extra days to compensate for recent weather-related closures. Students will now attend classes on April 17, 2026, and May 21, 2026, as the district seeks to make up for four days lost due to inclement weather in January and February.
In an email sent to families on Thursday, district officials outlined the changes, explaining that the new dates are necessary to fulfill educational requirements after a series of closures impacted the school schedule. The school district had initially included two additional days in the calendar before the school year commenced, but the recent closures necessitated further adjustments.
The decision follows a pattern seen in previous years, including the winter of 2022, when the district also added additional days to the academic calendar to address lost instructional time. In that instance, officials extended the school year by two days and increased daily school hours by 30 minutes to recover five days of missed classes.
In early December, the district faced significant challenges, closing schools twice within one week due to severe weather conditions. This winter has seen record snowfall, prompting school administrators to take these proactive measures to ensure that students meet required instructional hours.
The last day of school was originally scheduled for May 20, 2026. With the new adjustments, students’ final day of classes will now be on May 21, marking a slight extension to the academic year.
Tim Rockey, a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News who focuses on education, highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the district in adapting to unpredictable weather patterns. The district aims to balance safety concerns for students and staff with the need to maintain educational standards.
As the Anchorage School District navigates these changes, families are encouraged to stay informed about further updates and adjustments throughout the remainder of the academic year.
