Graduate Paxton McKnight speaks during the graduation ceremony at Cook Inlet Academy near Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Beginning a new season of their lives

Cook Inlet Academy graduates seven.

 

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science students perform “Let’s Eat,” their fifth grade musical, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Healthy eating headlines elementary school musical

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science stages “Let’s Eat” for its annual fifth grade musical.

 

Graduates process into the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘The kinds of leaders Alaska and the world needs’

KPC graduates congratulated as they head into the next chapter of their lives.

Graduates process into the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Students stock rainbow trout into Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration, hosted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game near Kasilof, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating the cycle of life

The annual Kenai Peninsula Salmon Celebration caps off the Salmon in the Classroom program.

Students stock rainbow trout into Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration, hosted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game near Kasilof, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Students protest the possible closure of Sterling Elementary School along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sterling Elementary speaks out against proposed closure

Closure of the school is described in a budget scenario the district advanced last month.

Students protest the possible closure of Sterling Elementary School along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Students throw brightly hued powder into the air during a color run at Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Color run paints students with kaleidoscope of hues

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science on Saturday gathered parents and students for a color run helmed by the school’s parent-teacher association. Around 70 youngsters… Continue reading

Students throw brightly hued powder into the air during a color run at Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Students of Sterling Elementary School carry a sign in support of their school during a special meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

District adopts budget with severe cuts, school closures

The preliminary budget assumes a $680 increase in per-student funding from the state.

Students of Sterling Elementary School carry a sign in support of their school during a special meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Seward Sleeper Sharks present during the 28th Annual Alaska Tsunami Bowl in the Seward High School Auditorium in Seward, Alaska, on Feb. 28, 2025. (Photo provided by Mica Van Buskirk)

Seward teams earn 2nd, 4th place at Alaska Tsunami Bowl

Seward students who competed this year were recognized Monday with a commending resolution by the Seward City Council.

The Seward Sleeper Sharks present during the 28th Annual Alaska Tsunami Bowl in the Seward High School Auditorium in Seward, Alaska, on Feb. 28, 2025. (Photo provided by Mica Van Buskirk)
The Kahtnuht'ana Duhdeldiht Campus on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninula Clarion)

Tułen Charter School set for fall opening

The school’s curriculum integrates Dena’ina language, culture and traditional values.

The Kahtnuht'ana Duhdeldiht Campus on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninula Clarion)
Nikolaevsk School is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

‘We just need more time’

Nikolaevsk advocated keeping their school open during a KPBSD community meeting last week.

Nikolaevsk School is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Cracks split the siding outside of Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi siding, Hope roof repair projects move forward

The Soldotna project has been reduced from its original scope.

Cracks split the siding outside of Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Homer Flex graduates listen to senior Wyatt Counts present his speech to the audience, thanking family, friends and Homer Flex staff at the Homer Flex High School commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

School board says no cuts to Homer Flex

The KPBSD Finance Committee on Tuesday recommended not making reductions to or closing Homer Flex High School at this time.

Homer Flex graduates listen to senior Wyatt Counts present his speech to the audience, thanking family, friends and Homer Flex staff at the Homer Flex High School commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Delana Green teaches music to kindergarteners at Tustumena Elementary School in Kasilof on Friday, March 21. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Bringing back music education

Tustumena Elementary students get lessons from Artist-in-residence Delana Green.

Delana Green teaches music to kindergarteners at Tustumena Elementary School in Kasilof on Friday, March 21. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninula Clarion)

State board approves Tułen Charter School

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe will be able to open their charter school this fall.

The Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninula Clarion)
Girl Scout Troop 210, which includes Caitlyn Eskelin, Emma Hindman, Kadie Newkirk and Lyberty Stockman, present their “Bucket Trees” to a panel of judges in the 34th Annual Caring for the Kenai Competition at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Girl Scout Troop 210, which includes Caitlyn Eskelin, Emma Hindman, Kadie Newkirk and Lyberty Stockman, present their “Bucket Trees” to a panel of judges in the 34th Annual Caring for the Kenai Competition at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tiasa Prevost, a student of Nikolaevsk School, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Homer, Alaska, on Monday, March 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikolaevsk, others speak to KPBSD about school closures, budget cuts

Public testimony stretched for over two hours in the Homer High School auditorium.

Tiasa Prevost, a student of Nikolaevsk School, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Homer, Alaska, on Monday, March 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Around 100 people fill seats during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Homer on Monday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

School board strikes 6 schools from closure consideration

The board will continue to consider closing Nikolaevsk School, Sterling and Tustumena.

Around 100 people fill seats during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Homer on Monday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Students and families create puppets during a family art night hosted by Artist in Residence Shala Dobson at Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kids bring puppets to life

Kaleidoscope students make puppets during artist-in-residence program.

Students and families create puppets during a family art night hosted by Artist in Residence Shala Dobson at Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)