LifeAnchorage · August 12, 2026
two anchorage schools made the list
Out of roughly 220 schools honored nationwide, two of them are Anchorage elementary schools.
Daily Alaska staff · August 12, 2026 · Anchorage
Bear Valley Elementary and Kincaid Elementary, two Anchorage elementary schools, received the 2026 National Gold Star Schools award, an honor given to roughly 220 schools nationwide this year. Both schools were recognized at a national conference in Orlando, Florida.
The award recognizes qualities that do not show up on a test score, including positive school culture, effective support systems and strong engagement among staff, students and families. For families at Bear Valley and Kincaid, the recognition means their schools stood out among a small group chosen from schools across the country.
The announcement comes as the new school year approaches in Anchorage. Students returning to Bear Valley or Kincaid this fall will walk into buildings that just received national recognition.
The honor arrives alongside ongoing budget discussions affecting Alaska schools, offering a moment of recognition for two Anchorage schools in particular.
In this story
Questions people ask
Which Anchorage schools won the 2026 Gold Star award?
Bear Valley Elementary and Kincaid Elementary both received the 2026 National Gold Star Schools award.
How many schools nationwide got the award?
Roughly 220 schools across the country earned it this year.
Where were the schools honored?
At a national conference in Orlando, Florida.
What does the award recognize?
Positive school culture, effective support systems, and strong engagement among staff, students and families, rather than test scores.
Evidence
Sources
Claims and where they come from
- Bear Valley Elementary and Kincaid Elementary received the 2026 National Gold Star Schools award. · youralaskalink.com
- Roughly 220 schools nationwide earned the Gold Star Schools award this year. · youralaskalink.com
- Both schools were honored at a national conference in Orlando, Florida. · youralaskalink.com
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