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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2022
Denali Elementary School Named National ESEA Distinguished School
JUNEAU – Denali Elementary School in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District has been named National ESEA Distinguished School by the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development.
Denali Elementary School is one of up to 100 schools throughout the country that is being nationally recognized for exceptional student achievement. Denali Elementary School was recognized for outstanding performance in Category 2: A school that has significantly closed the achievement gap between student groups.
The National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program is a project of the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators that publicly recognizes schools for their positive educational services. It highlights the efforts of schools across the country making significant improvements for their students. Up to two schools per state can be selected as a National ESEA Distinguished School each year, which makes this award an especially prestigious honor for the schools, staff, and students.
Alaska schools chose to apply for the honor, providing evidence of effectiveness in evidence-based instructional strategies, providing opportunities for all children to achieve, coordination of Title I with other programs, professional development of staff, and partnerships with parents, families, and communities.
“It is an honor to recognize this outstanding school in our state,” said Acting Commissioner Teshner. “Denali Elementary School has demonstrated effective strategies to close the achievement gap and ensure student success. Congratulations to the educators, students, and families of this school on this recognition and thank you for the continued hard work and dedication to Alaska’s students.”
Denali Elementary School is a Title I school serving preschool – grade 5 students located in the heart of Fairbanks. Denali is one of the oldest elementary schools in Fairbanks and prides itself on its 70-plus year history. Its legacy is an endearing touchpoint for many current Fairbanks adults who attended Denali as children. Currently, Denali enrolls 300 students from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Current and exited English learners bring a rich dynamic of multilingualism to Denali. Their language backgrounds include: Spanish, Ilocano, Lao, Hmong, Vietnamese, Yup’ik, and Japanese. Supporting all students to read at grade level by the end of third grade is the top priority identified in Alaska’s Education Challenge. Denali has focused on providing teachers professional development in the Science of Reading, including a Walk to Read program and weekly emails to school staff to keep them informed. The school motto of Love, Kindness, and Respect was given to Denali through the making of a totem pole by Artist Bert Ryan in the late 1990s. The totem pole still sits on the playground and every year they tell the story that Bert gave. The Panther, the school mascot, tells the Raven who then flies to spread the word: All the kids of Denali live their lives showing Love, Kindness, and Respect to all they come in contact with.
For more information about the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program, see www.ESEAnetwork.org.
Contact: Rebecca Zaverl, Denali Elementary School, 907-452-2456
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The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development provides information, resources, and leadership to support over 130,000 students in 505 public schools across the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to ensure an “Excellent Education for Every Student Every Day.”
Media Contact: Grant Robinson, Public Information Officer, (907) 500-4983
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