ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEMS

Alternative Learning Systems is a Title I public school that is part of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District school district, located in Fairbanks, AK with about 111 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 5 teachers, Alternative Learning Systems has a student/teacher ratio of about 22:1. 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.

Alternative Learning Systems (ALiS), located at 520 Fifth Ave in Fairbanks, Alaska, is a specialized division within the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. Designed to provide educational flexibility, the program serves students who may not thrive in a traditional classroom environment. It focuses on personalized pathways to graduation, offering a supportive setting where students can earn their high school diplomas through tailored curricula and individualized pacing that meets their unique academic and personal needs.

The program functions as a hub for non-traditional learners, emphasizing smaller class sizes and closer student-teacher relationships to foster academic success and personal responsibility. By leveraging the resources of the larger school district while maintaining an independent, flexible structure, Alternative Learning Systems plays a vital role in ensuring that all students—including those who are credit-deficient, working, or seeking a different pedagogical approach—have an equitable opportunity to complete their education and prepare for post-secondary transitions.

For more information, contact Alternative Learning Systems at (907) 452-2000 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.