Education Insider
Anacortes School District News & Events - 3/17/23
- April 3-7: Spring Break/ District Office Closed
- April 20: K-12 Half Day (students); 6-12 conferences; no Pre-K
- April 20: School Board Meeting
A district-wide event calendar is available on our website.
2023-24 School Calendar
Back to School Dates:
- Aug. 19: Ready to Learn Fair – 9 a.m. – noon at AHS
- Aug. 24: AMS Hawk Startup
- Aug. 24-25: AHS Seahawk Startup
- Aug. 31: Elementary Meet & Greets – 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept 6: First Day of School (1st-12th grades)
- Sept 11: First Kindergarten & Pre-K Day
The full calendar, is posted on our website.
Enrollment for 23-24 Open Now!
Enrollment is now open for the 2023-24 school year, including for all incoming kindergartners. Children entering kindergarten must be age 5 on or before August 31, 2023, in order to register. We urge families to enroll early to support our placement process, and help us ensure that siblings can be placed at the same school. Anacortes is a non-boundary district; students are placed following certain criteria and guidelines, per our placement policy. Priority is given to families who enroll prior to May 15.
Information for incoming kindergartners can be found in our Kindergarten Enrollment Packet.
Register your student online. Before you register, you’ll need:
Child’s birth certificate, passport, or other age verification document
Completed Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form (https://wa.myir.net)
- If applicable, parenting plan/court order and/or proof of guardianship
- Address verification document (utility bill, mortgage statement, or lease or rental agreement)
Important upcoming dates:
- Tuesday, May 9, 5:30 - 7 p.m. - Kindergarten Welcome Night at AHS Commons (1600 20th Street)
Don’t have access to a computer for registration? No problem! Contact the district office to schedule an appointment: (360) 503-1212 or aberard@asd103.org
Placement Overview
Per state law, students must be 5 years of age on or before August 31, 2023 to enter kindergarten. Students must be 6 years of age on or before August 31, 2023 to enter first grade.
The district can help provide screening questions to determine your child’s best developmental placement. If you have questions about your child’s development, please contact our Teaching, Learning and Inclusive Services Department at (360) 503-1212 or aberard@asd103.org
Assignment Timeline
Families will receive their elementary assignment by email in mid-August.
Questions?
Contact Anne Berard, Elementary Registrar: (360) 503-1212 or aberard@asd103.org
AHS offering college credit: College in the High School
Through a partnership with Skagit Valley College, Anacortes High School is now offering the opportunity for students to be able to earn college credit for completing some of the classes already offered at the AHS. College in the High School (CHS) is one of three dual-credit options for students, along with Running Start and Advanced Placement (AP). Most of the other high schools in Skagit County participate in the program as well.
College in the High School came about as a response to students looking for more opportunities to earn college credit. Courses are taught at the high school so students have access to more teacher and counselor support. They can also more easily participate in athletics and club activities. Counselor Joyce Binshcus is excited for the new opportunity.
“Having students here on campus means we can follow them throughout the semester and help them if they’re struggling. When they’re at Running Start, they’re on a quarter system, so we don’t even see their grades or know if they’ve even passed until the end of the course when it’s often too late,” she said.
Principal Erin Duez says CHS is more equitable for students because they don’t have to worry about transportation to the Skagit Valley College campus, and any student who has the required prerequisites can enroll. It may end up being cheaper, too, since students don’t have to pay SVC fees.
Teachers who teach CHS must be recognized by SVC as a qualified instructor with the same academic qualifications as required by the college. In addition, AHS course syllabi must align with the course offering that is taught at Skagit Valley College.
There is a tuition fee for CHS classes, but students registered in any of the CHS classes can opt to earn up to 5 college credits or simply to take the class as a high school class. Unlike an AP class where students have to take and receive a minimum score on a test to earn the college credit, in CHS courses, students decide at the beginning of the course if they want to earn college credit. Then they pay the tuition and automatically earn the credit provided they pass the class. Tuition costs between $82 and $200 per course with reduced rates available for any student who qualifies for free or reduced meals.
The following classes will now offer college credit for 2023-24:
- Spanish 3
- Spanish 4
- Honors Religions
- Senior Seminar
- AP Language and Composition
- Math in Society
Duez is especially excited about two new courses: Senior Seminar and Math in Society.
Senior Seminar is a yearlong course that targets students interested in a two or four year university experience. Students will learn about personal statements, entrance exams, completing the FAFSA and college applications and how to access financial and academic resources once admitted to a college.
“We are offering them time within the school day to complete all of the work they’re currently spending hours and hours each week doing at night or on the weekends,” Duez said.
Math in Society is an applied math class that will cover things like personal finance, data literacy and statistics. Duez says it’s such a win for students to be able to earn college credit for this.
Duez received a $20,000 state grant for the school’s dual credit program. She will apply again this summer for more state funding.
Questions? Contact AHS Principal Erin Duez, (360) 503-1303 or eduez@asd103.org
Highly Capable Testing
The referral window for highly capable testing is open now. Please check our website for the link. We will notify families if their student has been referred for testing, which will take place in March/ April.
Contact Heather Paddock if you have questions regarding the screener process: hpaddock@asd103.org or (360) 503-1224
Java with Justin
- Thursday, May 11, 5:15-6:15 p.m
Please pre-register: https://bit.ly/Javawithjustin
Each session has 20 slots available.
All sessions are held at the Whitney Early Childhood Education Center Library: 1200 M Avenue
Questions? Contact the Superintendent's Office at (360) 503-1211 or tramsay@asd103.org
Covid Dashboard
The online dashboard will take the place of the emails that families received last year when we had a positive case within our buildings. We encourage anyone with concerns, especially high risk individuals, to check the website on a regular basis.