Steller Secondary School

Steller's primary emphasis is on responsibility to self and to the Steller community. Students and parents, and staff participate in the democratic process of setting school policy and procedures. Students play an integral role in planning activities, from deciding when and where to have dances to what courses should be offered. Also, participation in the operation of the school students are encouraged to spend some of their time at Steller in community service. This practice enables students to learn more about and contribute to the larger community in which they live.

The Steller community is very involved in the School and are truly partners with the school.

Science, Language Arts, Mathematics, Physical Education, Social Studies, Art, Music and World Language.

Our Curriculum, while alternative in nature, perfect parallels the Anchorage School District.

We have a fully inclusive Special Education Dept.

yes, we have one computer lab and one schedule to come online in the fall of 2010-11. Each classroom has at least two computers. Our library, while small, has 8 student computers and fully operational and up-to-date.

Steller does not offer phase level or advanced placement classes, nor do we have an interscholastic sports program.

Garden Club, Community Actions on Toxics, Jujitsu Club, Drama and Chess Club

Mark Begich, former Mayor of Anchorage now the junior senator to the United States Congress. Jewel, actress and the world famous recording star.

Yes, enough for staff, students and visitors

Steller is a lottery school.  We have two drawings per year one need only fill out an application if selected during the drawing you are a Steller Jay. 

The first lottery is in July and the second is in March.  One would need to check with the school or on the District website for dates of drawing in that the dates are assigned by the District and are a bit different each year.

"Inspiring a Community of Independent, Confident, Self-Directed Learners"

Steller Secondary strives to create an educational setting that fosters self-directed learning for the creation of independent, courageous, capable people, with the belief that those who are encouraged to follow their own path will, in general, be more open, more humane, and more knowledgeable than those who are directed or manipulated.

Steller was established in 1974 in response to parents interested in having their children continue their education in an environment which fosters the creation of independent, courageous people capable of dealing with the shifting complexities of the modern world, Steller Secondary is dedicated to providing young people a leadership curriculum based on the ideal that responsible freedom is a supreme good.

Steller Secondary School is an open optional school of choice within the Anchorage School District, offering an alternative to traditional education.   It is named after Georg Wilhelm Steller, a  German naturalist who traveled with Vitus Bering on  his voyage of exploration to Alaska in 1741.  He became the school’s namesake because of such personal traits as independence, love of knowledge, courage, and a pioneering spirit.  To this end Steller students participate in many humanitarian efforts throughout the greater Anchorage area. 

Steller does not offer advance placement nor do we have an inter scholastic sports program.  At least 75% - 80% of our graduates go on to college/university. Several of our classes are taught seminar style, with an emphasis on close analysis and discussion.  Students design contracts with teachers for Independent Study (IS) or "Self-Directed Learning" special projects (SDL).  In addition, students my elect to teach a class to  their peers and get .25 credit, these classes are called peer taught student lead and developed quarter long modules. Students can also elect to pursue advanced study in a selected academic area that requires extra course work and community service.

Students who do well are able to become self-direct and self-disciplined enough to take charge of their own learning to a large extent.  During the course of their years at Steller, students usually become more independent and able to make good decisions for themselves.