MCQUEEN SCHOOL

McQueen School is a Title I public school that is part of the Northwest Arctic Borough School District school district, located in Kivalina, AK with about 155 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 8 teachers, McQueen School has a student/teacher ratio of about 19:1. 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.

McQueen School, located in the remote coastal village of Kivalina, Alaska, serves as a vital educational hub within the Northwest Arctic Borough School District. Situated on a barrier reef between the Chukchi Sea and the Waggoner Lagoon, the school is deeply integrated into the unique geography and culture of the Iñupiat community it serves. Because Kivalina is an isolated village accessible primarily by small aircraft, the school functions as a central pillar of the community, providing essential academic and social resources to local students while navigating the environmental challenges posed by the region’s changing climate.

As part of the Northwest Arctic Borough School District, McQueen School focuses on delivering a standards-based curriculum that prepares students for both higher education and vocational opportunities. The school places a high value on preserving Iñupiat traditions, often incorporating local knowledge, subsistence practices, and cultural values into the classroom environment. By balancing modern academic requirements with the heritage of the Arctic, McQueen School aims to empower its students to become successful, self-reliant contributors to both their village and the global community.

For more information, contact McQueen School at (907) 645-2125 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.