Fred Ipalook Elementary

North Slope Borough School District
2070 Ahkovak St
Utqiagvik, AK 99723
539 Students
Elementary School Pre-K - 5th
School Overview
Fred Ipalook Elementary, located in Utqiagvik, Alaska, is the northernmost elementary school in the United States and serves as a vital educational pillar within the North Slope Borough School District. Situated in the heart of the Iñupiat community, the school is deeply rooted in the local culture, often integrating traditional knowledge and the Iñupiat language into its educational mission. It serves a diverse student population, providing a comprehensive curriculum that aims to foster academic achievement while respecting and upholding the unique heritage of the Arctic region.

Beyond its academic offerings, Fred Ipalook Elementary functions as a central community hub that reflects the resilience and spirit of Utqiagvik. The school is known for its focus on student growth and community engagement, striving to prepare its students to be both globally competitive and culturally grounded. By balancing modern educational standards with local environmental and social contexts, the school provides a distinct learning environment tailored to the challenges and opportunities of life in the high Arctic.
539
Total Students
33.5
Full-Time Teachers
16.1
Student/Teacher Ratio
27.6%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics
  • American Indian
    345 (64.0 %)
  • Two or More
    115 (21.3 %)
  • Asian
    32 (5.9 %)
  • Pacific Islander
    30 (5.6 %)
  • White
    16 (3.0 %)
  • Black
    1 (0.2 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Elementary School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: No
District: North Slope Borough School District
Phone: (907)852-9550
Website: http://nsbsdbeta.schoolwires.net/Domain/10
Grade Range: Pre-K - 5th
Total Students: 539
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 33.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 16.1
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 149
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

1 National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught
Pre-Kindergarten 87
Kindergarten 77
Grade 1 66
Grade 2 70
Grade 3 77
Grade 4 91
Grade 5 71
Gender Ratio