District hosts groundbreaking for American Charter Academy

Despite the overcast skies, the weather held out for the groundbreaking of the new home for the American Charter Academy on September 4, one of three construction projects for charter schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD), funded by a bond voters approved during the November 2024 elections.

“A school is far more than a place with a roof and wall. It’s a place where dreams take root and where students discover their talents, and where our community comes together for one shared purpose-preparing the next generation for success. And today marks the beginning of the next chapter for American Charter,” said MSBSD Superintendent Dr. Randy Trani. “This groundbreaking is not just about shovels in the ground, it’s about vision and hope for children, and it’s about the collective belief that every child deserves a place where their curiosity can grow and their resilience be tested and their potential can be unlocked.”

American Charter Academy (ACA) Principal Patricia Farren said she was moved when she walked onto the property and the turnout of district official, local and state elected officials, staff and the community, supporting the theme of community efforts. “It started with Charlie and Becky Huggins, who had the vision to forge when charter schools were just starting out and they fought many battles,” she remarked, adding, “Then I think about the partnership between the Borough and the district…we wouldn’t be here today without that relationship and without people working together.”

She also thanked the families and the community for their support “It just goes to show how this community values education and public charter schools, school choice. It’s amazing and I’m just thrilled and thankful to be a part of it.”

Principal Farren, who thanked her staff, some of whom have spent their entire tenure at the school “We have a dedicated staff that comes to work every day and work hard for the students and work hard for the families.”

ACA parent Laura Mickelson expressed her appreciation of the education her children have gotten at the school over the past 15 years. “As a parent, you shop around and look for the best opportunities for your children, and having the ability to have a charter school that we can work with-the teachers and the environment-just provides them a foundation for their future that I feel is unparalleled. I’m very appreciative for the education they have received.”

Stephanie Maynard, the longest serving staff member and Academic Policy Committee Chairperson, currently teaches primary prep at American Charter, told the group that the building represents more than just classrooms. “I feel like it’s a place where their curiosity will be sparked, friendships will be formed, and futures will be shaped. As a teacher in our current building for over 20 years, I’m really excited to be part of this new opportunity to continue teaching and watching our students grow and learn and thrive in a clean and safe environment.”

“The voters stepped up to the plate last November and said ‘yes, this important to our future, not only for the students and the Borough, but for the state of Alaska.’ Everyone is showing the rest of the state how it can be done,” commented Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries.

Dr. Trani reflected that the project reflects not only the district’s commitment to education, saying that from the earliest stages, careful thought has been put into the planning and design for the building. “With efficiency in mind, the building is going to be functional, flexible, forward-thinking, making the very best use of space so that teachers can focus on teaching and students can focus on learning. Every square foot has been designed with purpose…they’ve also been mindful of costs. As a public charter school, they understand that every dollar represents trust-trust from our families, trust from the voters, and trust from the community and taxpayers. That trust is something we take very seriously in the Mat-Su Borough School District, and this building will stand as an example of what it means to be resourceful and cost-conscious, proving that we don’t have to sacrifice quality to be financially responsible, which I think American Charter has epitomized with the quality of instruction that have produced over the years and the facility that they have been out of is remarkable.”

This is the first charter school in Alaska that’s been built with public funds. When completed, the building, designed by Wolf Architecture, will provide approximately 30,000 square feet, including space for classrooms, labs, a gym, administrative offices, and other support facilities, all designed specifically to meet the school’s needs. The building will also include four additional classrooms. Roger Hickel Contracting will be continue work through the winter, with substantial completion expected in August, 2026, with final completion following shortly after.