Nikiski North Star Elementary
Home of the Shooting Stars!
Vision
Students continuing their educational journey from Nikiski North Star will be competent and confident learners; informed, involved decision makers; caring, responsible individuals; and citizens with skills for life.
Mission
Nikiski North Star Elementary is committed to working with students, parents, and the community to provide opportunities for all children to explore and develop their maximum potential.
Contact
907.776.2600
45600 Holt Lamplight Road
Kenai, AK 99611
Demographics
- Principal Tenure:
- 4th year at NNS
- 8th year as Administrator
- 14 years of KPBSD service
- 18 years in education
- 21 Certified staff
- 1 Doctorate degree
- 10 Masters degrees
- 10 Bachelors degrees
- 10 Classified staff
- 4 Associates or higher
- 5 Paraeducator Online Training & Assessments
- 1 HS Diploma
- 19:1 P/T ratio
- 10 average Staff years of service
- 217 Enrollment
- 91% Attendance Rate
Intervention Support
- NNS receives federal funds through Title I
- For the 2024-2025 school year, NNS will operate a schoolwide program model (K through 5th grade) based on our school’s needs
- Current focus areas include:
- Small group math and reading support
- emphasis on conflict resolution and self-regulation strategies
- increasing attendance
- communication with families and other stakeholders
Academics Assessment
MAP – Math
- 2024 MAP Data-Growth: *5th: 41% *4th: 71% *3rd: 79%
- 2024 MAP Data-Achievement: *5th: 52% *4th: 75% *3rd: 76%
- 2023-2024 Attendance Summary: 89.98%
MAP – ELA
- 2024 MAP Data-Growth *5th: 54% *4th: 38% *3rd: 79%ile
- 2024 MAP Data-Achievement: *5th: 60% *4th: 65% *3rd: 80%
- 2023-2024 Attendance Summary: 89.98%
Elementary Specific
iReady
The median percent progress towards Typical Growth for NNS is 92%. Typical Growth is the average annual growth for a student at their grade and baseline placement level.
CKLA
During the 2023-2024 school year, Nikiski Northstar Elementary implemented the CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) curriculum. This curriculum is designed to build students’ foundational literacy skills through a knowledge-rich approach, emphasizing reading, writing, speaking, and listening. By focusing on a wide range of topics in history, science, literature, and the arts, CKLA helps students develop critical thinking and comprehension abilities. The school adopted CKLA to enhance language arts instruction and provide a strong academic foundation for its students.
- 76% mCLASS Kinder at benchmark or above on EOY
- 74% mCLASS 1st grade at benchmark or above on EOY
- 50% mCLASS 2nd grade at benchmark or above on EOY
- 55% mCLASS 3rd grade at benchmark or above on EOY
- Afterschool programs
Intramural sports: Several seasons throughout the school year; Boys and Girls Club-NNS Clubhouse, Girl Scouts
School Projects/Initiatives
Nikiski North Star is a PBIS school, which means we use positive behavior intervention and support as a framework for our approach with students. We actively seek opportunities to praise and acknowledge the positive behaviors as a way to prevent negative behaviors, which includes positive office referrals and acknowledging positive behavior through issuing tickets with specific praise. Currently, we have two classrooms per grade level including an Integrated Specials: STEAM/P.E. teacher. We are proud to offer several intramural sports opportunities, such as cross country running/skiing and basketball, for intermediate grade students. We are proud to support schoolwide implementation of several conflict resolution/self-regulation programs such as Kelso’s Choices, Zones of Regulation, Second Step, and Empowering Education.
Honors, Awards and Recognitions
- 2023 KPBSD Alan Haskins Principal of the Year Award: Jenna Fabian
- 1994 National Blue Ribbon School-Exemplary High Performing Schools
School Climate and Mindset Key Data
Our dedicated staff, who choose to commute from a variety of areas, exemplify an unwavering commitment to fostering an enriching educational experience. Together with our strong, supportive community, we strive to create an inspiring and nurturing environment where every student can thrive.
School Culture Highlights
At Nikiski North Star Elementary, the vibrant and diverse student population reflects a rich tapestry of backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. Approximately 8% of the students proudly identify with tribal affiliations, enriching the school’s cultural landscape. Additionally, 4% of the students receive Special Education support, including those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and gifted services, while another 8% benefit from targeted intervention support. Our school population experiences transiency, as students relocate to our community from other areas on the Kenai and even from out of state, which adds to the dynamic learning environment. This inclusive setting fosters a sense of belonging and encourages collaboration among all students.
Family and Community Engagements/Highlights
Nikiski North Star Elementary fosters strong connections between families and the broader community through a variety of engaging initiatives. Utilizing the schoolwide communication system, Bloomz, the school keeps families informed and involved in their children’s education. NNS PTO and Title I support numerous family engagement events, including a lively yearly Fall Carnival fundraiser that brings the community together. Intermediate grade students can participate in intramural sports such as cross country running, cross country skiing, and basketball, encouraging physical activity and teamwork. The school also promotes community involvement by attending Industry Appreciation Day and the North Peninsula Recreation’s Fun in the Midnight Sun Festival, as well as by encouraging attendance at Nikiski Middle-High School sporting events. Collaborative parent/teacher conferences strengthen the partnership between educators and families, while the Family Resource Center provides activities and games for families to borrow, further enhancing engagement and support within the community.
Goals for the year
English Language Arts
- By May 2025, we will ensure that 100 percent of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students who are present for 90% or more of the school year will become successful readers by increasing their overall reading score by maintaining or improving their National Percentile Rank as measured by MAP-Growth Fall to Spring benchmark testing.
- By May, 2025, we will ensure that 75 percent of kindergarten and first grade students who are present for 90% or more of the school year will become successful readers with a Composite score in the at or above Benchmark categories for the mCLASS assessment.
Math
- By May 2025, we will ensure that 100 percent of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students who are present for 90% or more of the school year will become successful mathematicians by increasing their overall reading score by maintaining or improving their National Percentile Rank as measured by MAPS Fall to Spring benchmark testing.
- By May 2025, we will ensure that at least 75 percent of Kindergarten and 1st grade students will become successful mathematicians by meeting or exceeding their Annual Typical Growth Goal as evidenced by the iReady Diagnostic Benchmark.
Communication
- By May 2026, 100% of NNS teachers will utilize Bloomz Premium with fidelity to enhance communication with families, as evidenced by weekly updates (i.e. weekly newsletter, post) and contact with at least three families a week, in order to promote a strong home-school connection and support student success. NNS aims for 100% parent/guardian participation: In-person or phone for both Fall and Spring Conferences
SEL/Conflict Resolution
- By May 2025, NNS will reduce school discipline office referrals by 25% through the implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, coupled with schoolwide lessons on self-regulation, conflict resolution, perspective taking, and active listening, with progress tracked monthly and reviewed quarterly.