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United States, Anchorage
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Rilke Schule is a tuition-free charter school offering a German immersion program for Kindergarten through 8th grade. In March 2006, a group of parents and German teachers began the process of chartering the school. The Anchorage School District approved the charter on December 4, 2006, and the school opened in August 2007. All students learn German, making it the first immersion program to span elementary and middle school in the district. The school is named after the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, and its mascot is a panther in reference to his "Der Panther".
German cultural events are an integral part of the Rilke Schule community. The school holds a Schultüten assembly on the first day of Kindergarten to introduce students to German traditions. It hosts an annual Oktoberfest fundraiser in October at West Berlin, typically sold out. In November and December, the school celebrates St. Martinstag lantern parades and St. Nikolaus Tag activities, including lantern-making in art and community gatherings.
The Rilke Schule Verein (RSV) is the parent, teacher, community organization supporting Rilke Schule. Its mission is to engage in activities relating to the support of Rilke Schule German Immersion School, the education of the children enrolled therein, and to foster relationships between the school, parents, teachers and the community. The RSV coordinates volunteers, raises funds, and provides culturally relevant events throughout the year. Members can join and elect board members; weekly newsletters and signup opportunities keep families informed, and meetings are typically held the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 pm. The RSV Board includes positions such as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Directors; current board contact is rsvboard@rilkeschuleverein.org.
Rilke Schule German Charter School of Arts and Sciences is a tuition-free K–8 charter school within the Anchorage School District in Anchorage, Alaska. The school offers a German immersion program for Kindergarten through eighth grade, the first immersion in the district. All students learn German while the core curriculum follows the Anchorage School District's Common Core Standards. German language standards align with National Foreign Language Standards and ASD world language expectations; starting in Grade 2, students complete an annual German assessment called STAMP. In Grades 3, 6, and 8, German exams produced by Germany (A1, A2, B1) are administered; Service High School administers the B2/C1 exam, often required for German universities. The school uses ASD RTI and tracks progress with AIMSweb and ASD testing. The Abbott Loop campus includes a gym, library, spaces for special services, and a hot lunch program, with a five-year occupancy waiver and upcoming fire-system upgrades.
