The Anacortes School District is now accepting referrals for current students (grades K-8) for Highly Capable Services for the 2025-26 school year. The referral window will be open from Monday, March 10, 2025, to Friday, March 28, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Testing will begin on Monday, April 21, 2025. Family, educators, and community members may refer students using the online referral form below.
All students currently in 2nd and 5th grade are universally screened and considered (with parent permission) for Highly Capable Services by completing the Cognitive Abilities Test Screener (CogAt). If your student is currently in the 2nd or 5th grade, a referral is not necessary. However, if you would like to refer a current 2nd-grade or 5th-grade student, the referral forms are available below. Students who are currently receiving Highly Capable Services do not need to be referred again.
Information about Highly Capable Services
Highly Capable Program Referral Form
For any questions, please email Anne Berard
Anacortes School District Student Printable Calendars Now Available!
The Board-approved student calendars for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years are now live! Stay ahead by marking important dates, breaks, and school events.
2025-26 Calendar: https://www.asd103.org//files/public_files/Students_and_Families/Calendar_2025-26-STUDENT-(1).pdf
2026-27 Calendar: https://www.asd103.org//files/public_files/Students_and_Families/Calendar_2026-27-STUDENT.pdf
Plan ahead and stay connected!
IT'S A SNOW DAY! All Schools in the Anacortes School District will be closed on Thursday, February 6, 2025 due to continued icy and unsafe road conditions. All after-school activities and events are canceled. After initially planning for a two-hour delay, further assessments revealed that the roads, school parking lots, and sidewalks around our schools remain too hazardous for safe travel. We made this decision out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our bus drivers, students, and families. Schedule changes apply districtwide, even if your neighborhood isn't as severely affected. Some areas of the district are experiencing worse weather and driving conditions than others.
We understand that this may cause inconvenience to some families, and we apologize for any disruption this may cause. Our district team will continue to monitor weather conditions for bus routes and surrounding areas early tomorrow to assess conditions. Any updates will be communicated to families and staff as soon as possible. The safety of our students, staff, and community is our top priority when making weather-related decisions.
Further information regarding Adverse weather, closures and delays: https://www.asd103.org/District/Department/32-Transportation/Portal/adverse-weather-closuresdelays
SCHOOL BOARD SITE VISIT
The Anacortes School Board Site Visit to Mount Erie Elementary, scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM, has been postponed. A new date will be announced soon.
UPDATE:
Anacortes School District would like to provide an update to families regarding bus transportation. All buses will be operating on regular routes this afternoon.
To ensure you are receiving our communications, please review your Skyward account to ensure that your contact information is accurate. If any updates are needed, please report them to your child’s school. To receive notifications about school closures, delays, and transportation updates, text “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. If you have already opted in, no further action is needed.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this winter weather season. The safety of our students is our top priority, and we will continue to monitor weather conditions for any further updates.
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Due to icy conditions expected on Tuesday, February 4th, Anacortes School District will be operating on time with Adverse Weather Routes. We encourage families to review these updated routes to ensure the safe and timely transport of students.
What Families Need to Do:
Important Reminders:
If your family has special transportation needs and is impacted by these changes, you will be notified directly with updated stop times or locations.
For additional information about adverse weather routes, delays, or closures, please visit our Adverse Weather/Closures webpage. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Transportation Team at (360) 503-1155 or email:
Anacortes High School Athletic Alerts
Due to the recent snow affecting the northern part of the state, several sports schedules have been impacted, including our own. As a result, all girls and boys basketball games that were scheduled are now cancelled.
Please note the following updates:
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your flexibility as we adjust to the changes. Please stay tuned for any further updates, and thank you for your support!
Dear Anacortes School District Families,
We wanted to inform you of a recent update to the student calendar for February. The "Evening Conferences" scheduled for February 12 have been removed. Please see the corrected schedule below:
For your convenience, the updated printable calendar is available here: 2024-25 Student Calendar.
A friendly reminder that the week of February 10 to 14, 2025 is conference week for our K-12 students! Please be sure to mark your calendars and prepare for these important discussions about your child’s progress.
Thank you for your attention to these updates. If you have any questions, please email us at information@asd103.org.
Sincerely,
Anacortes School District
Dear Anacortes School District Community,
I am sharing an update with you on the district’s financial challenges and the steps we must take to ensure the long-term health of our schools. These decisions are not made lightly, and we are committed to maintaining transparency throughout this process.
It is important to understand that Anacortes School District is not alone in navigating these financial difficulties. Many districts across Washington State face similar challenges, and this issue is part of a broader trend impacting public education statewide.
Like other districts, we are facing significant financial pressures, including:
Declining Enrollment: We’ve seen a decrease in enrollment by about one percent annually, which reduces both state and local funding tied to student numbers. A further decline of one percent is expected in the coming years.
Compensation Levels Exceeding Revenue: Employee contract compensation levels continue to exceed the revenue we receive from the state.
Rising Costs: Inflation has significantly increased the costs of materials, supplies, and operational necessities, especially insurance premiums and utilities.
Insufficient State Revenue: State funding has not kept pace with increasing costs, leaving a growing budget gap.
As a result, the district’s fund balance is projected to drop to 1.36% by the end of this school year, significantly below the required minimum of 4%. Over the past three years, we have implemented financial reductions, including a 20% reduction in administrative roles, a 14% reduction in classified staff, and a 3% reduction in teaching positions. These measures have been essential in helping us maintain a balanced budget despite ongoing financial pressures.
Total Reductions:
2022-2023: $900,000
2023-2024: $3,200,000
2024-2025: $1,300,000
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 school year, we anticipate needing to reduce an additional $1.5 to $2 million from the $50 million budget. This challenge is compounded by expected enrollment declines, employee contract costs exceeding state revenue allocations, and potential increases from employee group bargaining in the coming years.
The projected budget reductions for the next few years are as follows:
2025–2026 School Year: A reduction of $1.5 to $2 million, driven by enrollment declines and potential employee contract obligations.
2026–2027 School Year: A reduction of at least $600,000 due to projected enrollment declines and potential employee contract obligations.
2027–2028 School Year: A reduction of at least $600,000 due to projected enrollment declines and potential employee contract obligations.
2028–2029 School Year: A reduction of at least $600,000 due to projected enrollment declines and potential employee contract obligations.
To address these challenges, we are committed to a thoughtful and collaborative process. While staffing reductions may be necessary, these discussions will take place internally, in accordance with our labor group process, and with the utmost respect for the confidentiality of personnel matters. We will continue to keep staff, families, and community members informed as we work through these difficult decisions.
While these reductions are challenging and complex, our commitment to providing high-quality education for every student remains steadfast. We are committed to navigating these challenges and securing a sustainable future for our schools.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support during this challenging time.
Sincerely,
Dr. Justin Irish, Superintendent
Dr. Becky Clifford Named Next Superintendent of South Whidbey School District
We are proud to announce that Dr. Becky Clifford, our Assistant Superintendent, has been named the next Superintendent of South Whidbey School District, effective July 1, 2025. While her departure is bittersweet, we celebrate her outstanding contributions to Anacortes and know she will bring the same passion and dedication to her new role.
Reflecting on her time in Anacortes, Dr. Clifford shared: "I am incredibly excited for this new opportunity, but I will deeply miss this community—the students, staff, families, and our amazing partners. Serving Anacortes has been an honor, and while I look forward to my next chapter, we still have important work to accomplish before I leave. Saying goodbye will not be easy."
Dr. Clifford’s leadership has been pivotal in advancing key initiatives, such as enhancing curriculum and instructional practices, expanding social-emotional learning and mental health services, strengthening partnerships with local organizations, and overseeing the transformation of our special education services. Her ability to foster collaboration and champion student success has left a lasting impact on our district.
Superintendent Dr. Justin Irish reflected on her time in Anacortes: "Dr. Clifford and I began our journey in Anacortes together, and it has been an incredible experience working alongside her these past several years. Her commitment to students and her collaborative spirit have profoundly shaped our district. While we will miss her leadership, I am excited to see her thrive as she serves the South Whidbey community."
Dr. Clifford will remain in her current role through June 30, 2025, ensuring a smooth transition. Details regarding the process to fill this position will be shared in the coming weeks.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Clifford on this remarkable achievement and wishing her every success in her new role.
If you have any questions please email information@asd103.org.
Anacortes School District Statement on Recent Student Tragedy
It is with profound sadness that the Anacortes School District confirms the loss of one of our High School students. Our hearts break for the family, friends, classmates, and staff members affected by this tragic event. The Anacortes School District is committed to fostering an environment where every student feels safe, supported, and valued.
In response to this tragedy, we are taking immediate steps to provide support and resources to all students, staff, and families affected:
Community Resources: We are collaborating with Island Health to provide comprehensive support to staff and students. A list of these resources is on our website.
As families, your role in helping your students process this loss is crucial. Encourage open conversations, listen to their feelings, and reassure them that it’s normal to grieve. On our website, you’ll find helpful resources specifically designed to assist children in coping with tragedy and grief. These resources offer valuable support during challenging times, helping children process their emotions and find ways to heal.
The Anacortes School District remains committed to the well-being of its students and staff and will continue to work hard to support those affected by this loss.
Anacortes School District Launches Comprehensive Back-to-School Guide for 2024-2025 School Year
The Anacortes School District is thrilled to announce the release of its all-in-one Back-to-School Guide for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. This digital resource provides families with essential information to kick off the school year on a successful note. Click HERE or scan the QR code below.
What you will find in our guide:
In prior years, the threshold for free or reduced-price meals was 40% or more.
Apply for the Free and Reduced Price Meals Program, fund your student's lunch account using MealTIme Online, and more!“We believe that well-informed families contribute to a thriving educational community,” said Dr. Justin Irish, Superintendent of Anacortes School District. “Our Back-to-School Guide empowers parents and students to navigate the academic journey seamlessly.”
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Whitney Early Learning Center Campus Opens September 3, 2024
Boys and Girls Clubs of Skagit County is excited to expand program offerings on Fidalgo Island!
If you are interested in services, please complete the Online Interest Form so we can capture information and contact you when registration opens. Individuals using this form will be given one week of priority access to ensure space is secured for their families.
Opening Date:
School-age Before- and After-School Care will begin on the first school day, September 3, 2024. Because of the licensing process, the program may open unlicensed for a brief period. Until the initial provisional license is achieved, we cannot accept the Working Childcare Connections Subsidy (WCCC). For families enrolled in the WCCC program, we will honor your monthly copay as the only payment required to ensure a smooth transition for your school-age child and family between existing services and the new services provided by Boys and Girls Clubs of Skagit County.
Hours:
Opens at 6:30 am.
Closes at 6:00 pm.
Transportation to/from school is provided by the Anacortes School District. There is no additional charge for scheduled early release or late start days.
Tuition/Dues/Fees:
More information is available in this document.
Discounts:
A maximum 10% Discount is available for Families with Multiple Children enrolled in Club programs or Families with at least one parent who works for the following: any branch of the United States Military, Anacortes School District, City of Anacortes, Island Health, Anacortes Family Center (AFC), or Boys and Girls Clubs of Skagit County.
Future Expansion of Services:
Services for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool children will open as classrooms become licensed and staffing is secured. Based on the census of requests from our Online Interest Form, our current priority will be services and programs for Toddlers, followed by Infants. Families with Preschool students should contact the AFC Discovery Center at 360-545-9544.
All Club Programs are CLOSED the week of August 26th for Training and Health, Safety, and Hygiene protocols.
For more information go to: https://skagitclubs.org/
