TONGASS SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES CHARTER SCHOOL

Tongass School of Arts and Sciences Charter School is a Title I public charter elementary school that is part of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District school district, located in Ketchikan, AK with about 179 students offering grade levels from Pre-Kindergarten to 6th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 11 teachers, Tongass School of Arts and Sciences Charter School has a student/teacher ratio of about 16:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

The Tongass School of Arts and Sciences (TSAS) is a public charter school located in Ketchikan, Alaska, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Founded on the principle of integrating rigorous academic standards with the creative arts and scientific inquiry, the school utilizes a "project-based learning" approach. This model encourages students to move beyond traditional textbooks, engaging them in hands-on, interdisciplinary units that connect classroom instruction to the real world and the unique natural environment of Southeast Alaska.

As a charter school, TSAS operates with a high degree of autonomy, fostering a tight-knit, community-oriented atmosphere where family involvement is highly encouraged. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and the development of the "whole child." By blending expressive arts with core academic disciplines, the school aims to cultivate curious, creative, and socially responsible learners who are well-prepared for the challenges of high school and beyond.

For more information, contact Tongass School of Arts and Sciences Charter School at (907) 225-5720 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.