K-Beach Elementary
Home of the Caribou!
Vision
Inspiring a passion for learning through innovation, creation, and collaboration.
Mission
It is the mission of K-Beach Elementary with the involvement of our families and community members to support learners as they develop positive character skills, achieve academic success, and thrive in a dynamic world.
Contact
907.260.1300
1049 Poppy Lane
Soldotna, AK 99669
Demographics
- Principal Tenure: Janae Van Slyke Principal since August 2019
- 29 Certified staff (19 w/ Master’s Degrees)
- 23 Classified staff (some with post-secondary education)
- 23.6 P/T ratio
- 19 average Staff years of service
- 386 Enrollment
- 88% Attendance Rate
Intervention Support
We provide intervention for K-6 students needing extra support in reading or math. Kindergarten students are considered starting in the second semester to allow time for initial school adjustment. Students receive 30 minutes of small-group, direct instruction daily, five days a week. Our site uses WIN (What I Need) Time for these sessions, ensuring students do not miss core instruction, specials, or recess. While data guides our decisions, we also consider each child’s unique needs to develop the best intervention plan. Progress is monitored biweekly or monthly based on tier level, helping teachers evaluate intervention effectiveness, track growth, and identify learning gaps.
Academics Assessment
MAP – Math
69% of our third through 6th grade students made growth on the spring Math MAP Assessment.
MAP – ELA
57% of our third through 6th grade students made growth on the spring Reading MAP Assessment.
Elementary Specific
- iReady
97% of students grades Kindergarten through Fifth Grade made annual typical growth as measured by iReady - CKLA
Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) is the literacy curriculum grounded in the Science of Reading. The program combines knowledge building and research based skills - 27/42=64% mCLASS Kinder at benchmark or above on EOY
- 43/63=68% mCLASS 1st grade at benchmark or above on EOY
- 34/63=54% mCLASS 2nd grade at benchmark or above on EOY
- 31/52=60% mCLASS 3rd grade at benchmark or above on EOY
- Afterschool programs
- Tutoring
- Gaming Club
- Spanish Club
- Music Club
- Battle of the BOoks
- Good News Club
- Basketball
- Leadership
Honors, Awards and Recognitions
- Elizabeth Kvamme was awarded the AAESP 2023 National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year. In September, Mrs. Kvamme was recognized by the Alaska State Legislature for her achievement.
- K-Beach Elementary’s sixth grade Kenai Peninsula Masonic Lodge Outstanding Student is Miriam Huhtagaard.
- Judson Smith was awarded 1st place in KPBSD Trimathalon for Word Problems.
- Ethan Handsaker represented K-Beach as our Spelling Bee winner for the state competition.
School Climate and Mindset Key Data
90% of students feel that they are encouraged to do their very best.
89% of students feel that their teachers care about their students.
School Culture Highlights
K-Beach partnered with Kenaitze to provide instructional support during the school day. During P.E. classes in November students learned games played in Native Youth Olympics. In the month of February, we had cultural days where Kenaitze staff led our students in traditional dance as well as some of the games and activities that continue to be an important part of the culture, history, and traditions of the Kenaitze people.
Family and Community Engagements/Highlights
K-Beach hosted several family engagement nights such as Bingo for Books, Family Sledding Night, Reading Game Night, Spring STEAM Activity Night, and Book Fairs.
Community Involvement
Mrs. Smreka’s sixth-grade class organized a recycling program at K-Beach.
Our Caribou Migration fun run raised $8,417. All students and staff, along with the participation of many families and community members, participated in this event. This event promoted positive school and community relationships while encouraging healthy lifestyles.
K-Beach Elementary’s student leadership volunteered to help younger students at recess, helped with Kindergarten Round-Up, and worked to beautify the school grounds. Students also volunteered at the Kenai Pumpkin Festival where they hosted a face-painting booth for the community. These students also organized a pet food drive in the fall and donated the supplies to the City of Kenai Animal Shelter.
K-Beach student artwork was displayed in the Capital Building in Juneau.
Partnerships
K-Beach partnered with Operation Children First and donated 25 full Thanksgiving meals.
Stream Keepers- All 5th-grade students of K-Beach Elementary partnered with the Kenai Watershed Forum to care for the local Slikok Creek. With the help of community members and teachers, students worked to keep the stream healthy.
Third graders dissected salmon with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
School Projects/Initiatives
K-Beach Elementary hosted a variety of intramurals and clubs such as Gaming Club, Spanish Club, Music Club, Film Club and Battle of the Books.
K-Beach Elementary had 181 Positive Office Referral for this school year.
Battle of the Books- Many 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders participated in intramural Battle of the Books, and teams competed in the district competition.
Brianna Kjostad was the new queen of reading at K-Beach. Breanna read 14,100 minutes last summer. All students and staff read a combined total of 254,104 minutes.
Goals for the year
- By May of 2025, the percentage of kindergarten through third grade students whose score on the mCLASS composite is at or above grade level will increase by 18%.
- By May of 2025, 80% of our fourth through sixth grade students will make annual growth in reading as measured by either the winter or spring MAP assessment.
- By May of 2025, the number of absences will be reduced by 15% (907 fewer absences) in Kindergarten through sixth grade.