SHISHMAREF SCHOOL

Shishmaref School is a Title I public school that is part of the Bering Strait School District school district, located in Shishmaref, AK with about 200 students offering grade levels from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th 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 18 teachers, Shishmaref School has a student/teacher ratio of about 11:1. 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.

Shishmaref School, located on the barrier island of Sarichef in the Chukchi Sea, serves as the educational hub for the remote Iñupiaq community of Shishmaref, Alaska. As a member of the Bering Strait School District (BSSD), the school plays a vital role in preserving local culture and language while providing K-12 instruction to students in one of the most geographically isolated regions of the United States. Due to its location in an area significantly impacted by coastal erosion and climate change, the school serves as a central anchor for the community’s resilience and long-term planning efforts.

Academically, the school focuses on equipping students with essential core skills while integrating traditional knowledge and subsistence lifestyles into the learning experience. By leveraging the resources of the BSSD, Shishmaref School works to bridge the gap between traditional Iñupiaq values and modern educational standards, preparing students for both higher education opportunities and continued leadership within their local village. The school is not only a site for daily instruction but also functions as a primary gathering place for community events, sports, and cultural celebrations.

For more information, contact Shishmaref School at (907) 649-3021 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.