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August 13 Meet the Teacher at Chinook 2:30-3:30 pm | August 14 - First student day of school for first through fifth grade students!
Want To Learn More About Our Program?
Want To Learn More About Our Program?
Reach out to our staff to schedule a visit
Prospective family tours are offered during February
Come to our table at the Alternative Schools Fair in February 2026
Please call our office at 742-6700
Program Information:
Program Information:
Chinook Open Optional serves students entering kindergarten through fifth grade. Enrollment in the Open Optional Program is by lottery. Families need to complete an application for each child prior to the lottery. Tours of the program are not required, but are highly recommended!
Lottery:
Lottery:
The Online Lottery is currently closed for the 2025-2026 school year. The Online Lottery will reopen for applications on February 1, 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year.
Lottery Information
Lottery Information
The lottery process is set by the Anchorage School District. The lottery is held twice yearly, in the spring and in the summer. Students are assigned to the program on a “space available” basis.
Students who are not selected are given a slot on the wait list for that grade level. You can learn more about the details of the lottery process at the Anchorage School District website page titled Online Lottery System. That page contains many links to more detailed information about the lottery and application process.
Applications for the lottery may be completed online at the Anchorage School District website. If you need help completing the lottery process, please call Chinook at 742-6700.
Enrolling your child in our program constitutes your commitment to support the program with your time, either in the classroom or in other ways.
Parent participation is a fundamental feature of our program.
Class Size
Class Size
Visitors frequently ask about our class sizes. Class sizes are based on the recommendations and policies of the Anchorage School District, as well as the needs of the Chinook Elementary community.
Eligibility
Eligibility
As an alternative schools program, our program is open to any child residing in the Municipality of Anchorage. The Anchorage School District does not provide transportation to students who live outside the Chinook Elementary attendance area; families need to arrange transportation.
Siblings of children already in the program are not automatically enrolled; parents with children already attending the Chinook Open Optional Program must enter a sibling in the lottery in order to be considered for placement.
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