Daily Sitka Sentinel

3-Year Program for MEHS Gets Details

By Sentinel Staff

The Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program has released a statement in response to what it called misinformation about its proposal to take over operations of Mt. Edgecumbe High School.

Mt. Edgecumbe High School juniors Hayley Rangitsch and Mollie Erickson wear matching school hoods as they head to class this afternoon on the Japonski Island campus. The two said there is much talk on campus about the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program proposal to turn the state’s only boarding school into a three-year technical school. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

The plan, pitched last week at a joint hearing of the Alaska House and Senate Education committees in Juneau, would turn the state-run boarding school over to the program, which is a part of the University of Alaska system. The Sentinel reported on the Juneau hearing, and local reaction, on Wednesday and Thursday last week. Much of the reaction from Mt. Edgecumbe staff and alumni addressed a lack of detail in the proposal. 

In the statement issued this past weekend ANSEP founder Herb Schroeder said the proposal would improve Alaska’s education system while addressing cost concerns. 

“Alaska’s education system consistently ranks near the bottom of the list in performance, yet we spend more per student than almost any other state. ANSEP is striving to change that, and Mt. Edgecumbe ANSEP Acceleration High School is a step in the right direction,” Schroeder said.

 He said the proposed “acceleration high school” would allow students to earn credits toward University of Alaska Anchorage degrees in fields ranging from elementary education to business administration and science and engineering – the principle strengths of the ANSEP program. 

The other points made in the statement:

– students who graduate from the proposed acceleration high school would enter college with enough credits to go on and earn an undergraduate degree in as few as three years

– students currently enrolled at Mt. Edgecumbe would remain at the school on a four-year high school course track.

– all current employees of Mt. Edgecumbe would become University of Alaska employees

– students and their families would benefit from savings on an entire year of college tuition

– in addition to advanced math and science courses, the school would offer college-prep and college courses in writing, history, Native languages, and physical education, among others

– the plan includes a transitional phase. In year one, there will be no changes. In year two, ANSEP will admit freshmen under a new curriculum designed to graduate students in as little as three years if they wish, with as many as 46 university credits. Students who entered Mt. Edgecumbe prior to the change will continue on their current path to graduation.

– with three years in high school and three years in college, students will be career-ready by age 20

– the school would continue to support athletics and other extracurricular activities in their current format. 

ANSEP’s five-week programs have been offered to high school students since 2009. The courses are aimed at giving students a chance to earn college credit. 

“As a summer component, Acceleration Academy can serve approximately 100 students each year. Mt. Edgecumbe ANSEP Acceleration High School would bring this opportunity to an estimated 400 students year-round,” the ANSEP statement said.

Schroeder said the proposal for Mt. Edgecumbe is the “next step” to improving Alaskan education. 

“Even students in our state’s best schools require remediation when they get to college, and our goal is for students to enter college ahead of the game rather than far behind. Through our plans for Mt. Edgecumbe ANSEP Acceleration High School, we will create greater opportunities for more young Alaskans, and the state, the students and their parents will save a significant amount of money.”