School Overview
Wales School, located in the remote coastal community of Wales, Alaska, serves as a vital educational hub for students in one of the westernmost points of the United States. As part of the Bering Strait School District (BSSD), the school provides K-12 instruction within a unique cultural context, reflecting the traditions and lifestyle of the local Inupiat community. Given the school’s isolated geographic location on the Seward Peninsula, it plays a central role in the village, fostering a tight-knit environment where educators often work closely with families to support student growth in an environment defined by the Arctic landscape and local heritage.

The school’s curriculum is designed to meet state standards while integrating the specific needs of rural Alaska students, often utilizing the BSSD’s technology-driven resources to bridge the gap created by physical distance. Through the district’s web portal at bssd.org, the school coordinates with a broader network of remote institutions to ensure students have access to essential academic programming, extracurricular activities, and community support services. For the students of Wales, the school is more than a place of learning; it is a community anchor that connects them to broader educational opportunities while honoring their local identity and the challenges of life in a remote, subarctic region.
37
Total Students
5.0
Full-Time Teachers
7.4
Student/Teacher Ratio
59.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Wales School
Demographic Student Count
Asian2
American Indian35
  • American Indian
    35 (94.6 %)
  • Asian
    2 (5.4 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Other
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: No
District: Bering Strait School District
Phone: (907)664-3021
Website: http://www.bssd.org
Grade Range: Pre-K - 12th
Total Students: 37
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 5.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 7.4
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 22
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 0
Grades Taught
Pre-Kindergarten 2
Kindergarten 1
Grade 1 4
Grade 2 5
Grade 3 1
Grade 4 5
Grade 5 3
Grade 6 5
Grade 7 3
Grade 8 2
Grade 10 2
Grade 12 4

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Wales School
Grade Student Count
Pre-Kindergarten2
Kindergarten1
Grade 14
Grade 25
Grade 31
Grade 45
Grade 53
Grade 65
Grade 73
Grade 82
Grade 102
Grade 124
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Wales School
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female1951.4%
Male1848.6%