Mission

In partnership with our community and teachers, we challenge all students to become life-long learners and productive citizens.

About Us

Besser Elementary School is located in the City of Alpena in northeastern Michigan. We are one of six elementary schools currently operated by the Alpena Public School District.

Besser serves a population of approximately 375 K-5 students from the City and Township of Alpena.  About 16% of our students attend Besser from other district elementary schools by “special permission” via the district’s open enrollment policy. Students from other school districts may also attend Besser Elementary to benefit from the Hearing Impaired program. Alpena Public Schools also supports a preschool program on the Besser campus with 33 children enrolled.

Located on twenty acres of land donated by local philanthropist Jesse Besser, the school opened in 1958 as an elementary school of the K-8 Thunder Bay School District. Besser became part of Alpena Public Schools as a junior high school in 1963. Due to declining enrollment, Besser was closed from 1983 until it reopened in 1986 as an elementary school.

Doing pollinator garden maintenance
Doing pollinator garden maintenance
Learning about Lake Huron aboard Lady Michigan
Learning about Lake Huron aboard Lady Michigan
Exploring biotic water quality
Exploring biotic water quality
Besser Elementary School
375 Wilson Street
Alpena, MI 49707
Location Map for Besser Elementary School

Projects

All Saints Catholic School- Marine Debris and the 3Rs
Creating a culture of conservation at the school while raising community awareness
Info
Island Park Stewardship & Salmon in the Classroom
Students provide stewardship for Island Park by removing invasives, preventing marine debris and more.
Info
Northeast Michigan Earth Day Bag Project
Raising Awareness about the Danger of Plastic Bags in the Great Lakes
Info

News

Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Monday, April 24, 2017
Tuesday, April 21, 2015